G1 Review: Vincennes.
The final two Group One races of the season were conducted at Vincennes on Sunday, the 3-year old-mounted Prix de Vincennes and 4-year-old Critèrium Continental where potential high class performers were unearthed...
| Date | Sunday, December 26 |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | R4 – Prix Criterium Continental |
| Type | G1 four-year-old autostart (2100m) |
| Winner | Hohneck |
| Jockey/Driver | François Lagadeuc |
| Trainer | Philippe Allaire |
| Breeding | Royal Dream x Caranca |
| Second | Hussard Du Landret |
| Third | Hooker Berry |
| Hohneck booked his ticket for the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2700m) by winning the third qualification event at the Winter Meeting, securing a first Group One success for horse and driver. Facing some of the best European four-year-olds, François Lagadeuc held a prominent position throughout before hitting the front at the 200m marker to provide a determined final stretch, keeping at bay the fast-finishing Hussard Du Landret. The wet track contributed to an excellent kilometre time of 1'10"4. Philippe Allaire is yet to confirm if the son of Royal Dream will participate in the feature race of the year in January, though it will be tough to turn down this opportunity of a lifetime. | |
| Date | Sunday, December 26 |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | R5 – Prix de Vincennes |
| Type | G1 three-year-old mounted (2700m) |
| Winner | Idéale Du Chêne |
| Jockey/Driver | Paul Philippe Ploquin |
| Trainer | Julien Le Mer |
| Breeding | Bird Parker x Royale Du Chene |
| Second | Ines Des Rioults |
| Third | Indigo Du Poret |
| Idéale Du Chêne produced a scintillating performance to easily land the final class of the year for three-year-olds. The Julien Le Mer-trained filly was a start-to-finish winner, maintaining a perfect rhythm and balance. She quickened the pace down the back straight for the final time and unleashed a devastating turn of foot to career away from toiling rivals. Building on an excellent second in the G2 Prix Raoul Balliere (2175m), she emulated stable star Fado Du Chêne, who won this renewal for the same connections in 2018. Favourite Ici C'Est Paris had little chance after a slow beginning and breaking stride in the early stages of the race. Her father, Bird Parker, won this event in 2014 before securing two driven Group One contests. | |
