A striking visual impression. Still walled up alive at the entrance to the straight line, Horsy Dream could only speak about one hundred and fifty meters from the post. And there was light… “In two strides, he made the difference, exclaimed his pilot Éric Raffin. You have to savor it, because it’s unusual to have so much gas in your hands and to witness such a change of speed at the end of the race at the highest level.” Halfway through, the Vendéen was drinking whey while calmly tracking the rock Izoard Védaquais, who made the entertainer and favorite work, Idao de Tillard, who assumed his responsibilities after inheriting a favorable number. Things got tough when Hokkaido Jiel formed the wagon of three at the top of the climb.
“My nerves were put to the test in the last turn. Eric had a lot of composure; personally, if I had been at the sulky, I would have attacked beforeHokkaido doesn’t reach my height, admitted Pierre Belloche to Christophe Meyer’s microphone. Horsy Dream would certainly have won too, but with a tougher race. He did it so easily, much more than three weeks ago in Solvalla. He had benefited from ideal preparation and did not draw on his reserves at all. It is magic !”
Éric Raffin agreed: “I didn’t even have to unblock his ears… Sportingly, Jean-Michel Bazire (Editor’s note, at the sulky of Ganay of Banville), who no longer had too many resources, didn’t keep me warm halfway through the straight. When the opening happened, my horse was happy, and so was I!”
On the roof of Europe
In the shadow of the star Idao de Tillard during the winter meeting, Horsy Dream has brilliantly taken over from his younger brother since April, achieving the Prix de l’Atlantique – Elitloppet – Prix René Ballière triple in just a few weeks. A first since Italian Caf Feat in 2008, even though it was an unprecedented feat for a French trotter! “I have always believed in my horse, continued Pierre Belloche. His health problems were not serious and we did not race him when he was less well this winter. He is currently rewarding us for it.”
There is absolutely no doubt thatHorsy Dream seized, at the end of the first half, the scepter of No. 1 in France and even in Europe. “We must now work to keep it in such good shape until next winter, was quick to temper his mentor. The road is still long. In any case, today’s scenario bodes very well with a view to a potential second trip to Sweden on August 10. We will seriously consider it.” Offering around 530,000 euros to its winner (i.e. an allocation higher than those of the Prix d’Amérique and the Elitloppet), the Åby World Grand Prix (3,140 meters – autostart) inevitably arouses envy, even though it will be necessary to travel by truck and not by plane. Horsy Dream seems ready to move new mountains. “I’m still young, but this is surely the horse of my life”concluded Pierre Belloche.
All articles on the Champions meeting in Vincennes, June 23, 2024
Brave dolphins
Met by Christophe Meyer in the locker room, a few minutes after the second place ofIdao de Tillard, not having given up until the end, Clément Duvaldestin commented: “He has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of having been beaten by this super horse, who has been outperforming since the spring. In addition, Horsy Dream evolved “D4”, while mine has 310 grams in the front with its pair of bells. We didn’t have an easy ride in the lead, as the horse on our right made us ride very hard. On the move since this winter, when he won four Group Is, Idao was also a little worse than at that time, especially in the heat. He’s going to take a well-deserved vacation this summer.”
While he was making his semi-return after a back problem, the old champion Vivid Wise As gave a good push, narrowly failing for the first runner-up, while the defending champion, Hokkaido Jiel, remarkably held his part after attacking with his nose to the wind at the top of the climb. However hardened he may be, Izoard Védaquais could not “do the trick” of a crack like Idao de Tillard.
