Favourite Espoir d’Elphigny Wins Prix de Vincennes

This year’s Summer edition of the Prix de Vincennes was very much awaited as it was predicted that quite a good number of the finalists could challenge for the victory. With numbers drawn a few were considered at better odds but the only horse that had managed to win both the heat and semi final eventually was the most backed by the punters thus starting as the favourite. In fact Espoir d’Elphigny had drawn number 2 but with two horses scratched he had position 1 behind the autostart. He was the 2nd fastest horse at the start but Rodney Gatt was determined to drive his horse in the front taking this position after approximately 600m. Managing to control the pace of the first half of the race things quickly got serious as Dreamer Boy drew level with him on the outside and entering the final straight Rodney Gatt had to really work hard in order not to relinquish the small margin of advantage especially with a fast last 150m sprint by Iron de Ginai on the outside with a three way photo finish awarding the victory to Espoir d’Elphigny just a nose ahead of Iron de Ginai and a head from 3rd placed Dreamer Boy. This 10-year old gelding owned by the Xuereb family was taking his 3rd consecutive and seasonal victory.

The presentation of the trophies was done by Ms Marianne Simonnot from the Trotteur Francais International Department.

Photo: Alex Azzopardi