An exceptional sports program
Great champions, jockeys/drivers and horses, will set foot on the Parisian ashes this Sunday, June 23. A breathtaking program for this gala meeting: 9 races including 5 exceptional Group Is! There Champions Day brings together the best horses aged 3, 4 and 5 years old under the saddle. In the harness trotting specialty, 3-year-old horses will be in the spotlight and experienced horses will also have their Group I race on the program! We tell you everything about these 5 Groups I:
The Trial Price – CALIPER 3 YEARS FINALfirst Group I of the calendar for the promotion of 3-year-olds in the specialty of Stirrup. It is a historic event, one of the oldest. The champions of this classic race are: Cheerful Bright (1997), Booster Winner (2014), Oak Fado (2018) and the title holder Kit Kat.
Kit Kat last year during her victory in the Prix d’Essai
The high-level competition continues with the President of the Republic Prize – CALIPER 4 YEARS FINAL. Many legends in the history of trotting have added their names to the list of winners in this Group I: Bellino II (1971), Queila Gédé (1986), One of the Rib (2006), Bilibili (2015) all won it before triumphing in the Cornulier Prize, the world championship in the stirrup. Already a winner with Gladys of the Plains in 2020, Matthew Mottier will attempt the double with Kit Kat.
Jasper of Charms And Eric Raffin in the finishing straight for the President of the Republic Prize in 2023, acclaimed by the public
The 3th group I at the mounted trot is the Normandy Prize– CALIPER 5 YEARS FINAL. This race takes place over the long distance of 3,000 meters. Recent winner 4 times (2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022), Adrien Lamy will attempt the pass of 5 in this Group I associated with Fruit juice.
The rest of the program promises to be just as sensational. THE Albert Viel Prize will offer the same fabulous show for young 3-year-old trotters but this time on the sulky. Known as the best preparer of foals, Philippe Allaire displays his name on the winners list of this race eight times. Again represented this year, he will try to continue his victorious momentum.
Philippe Allaire, winning trainer 8 times in the classic Prix Albert Viel race
The last group of this day of champions will feature horses aged 4 to 10 years old in carriage. THE René Ballière Prize, is an autostart speed race on the 2,100 meter speed course. Last year, the driver David Thomain had imposed itself on the sulky ofHokkaido Jiel after a superb finish. At the start of this great race the winner of the last American Legend Race Prize, Idao de Tillard and the recent winner of theElitlopp 2024, Horsy Dream, will face each other for a duel at the top. A beautiful show awaits us!
Champions rewarded
Champions from all walks of life will come together to properly welcome the winners of each event. Personalities, titled athletes, chefs and even the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France will be present on the podium to honor the trotting champions throughout the day. The winners’ bouquets will be made by the best apprentices in France from the Union of Florists, under the direction of Garry Taffin, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2015. The future champions of the equestrian world will also be there! To celebrate the youth of horse racing, the winners of One of the Best Apprentices of France 2024 from AFASEC will be present at the awards ceremony on the champions’ podium.
A Champions Day cannot take place without the presentation of the “champion of Champions” trophy! The best driver of the day will be rewarded with the Champion of Champions Trophya trophy made with clinker, awarded to the pilot who most impressed the jury made up of journalists.
Closer to the Champions
Go behind the scenes of the champions to experience equestrian sport up close. During a guided tour, meet the champions in the heart of the stables and discover the preparation of the horses before departure. A Bus Racing Tour will also be there to allow you to dive into the heart of the action and experience the race while admiring the peloton in a following car. A new animation will be offered to you: Iron of Champions. Take part in a fun workshop by personalizing a horseshoe.
Challenges for Champions
Who will be the fastest ? A speed race will take place on the Parisian dirt. Two cycling champions: Amidou MirFrench BMX champion, and Riadh Tarsim, world champion and Paralympic vice-champion of HandBike, will compete against a trotter! The cyclist’s pedal stroke versus the trotter’s hamstring!
A shower of champions on the Vincennes racecourse! The Olympic e-sport champion of the Just Dance games, The Fairy Dina, will be there to make the stands dance. After the dance, it’s the bike acrobatics that await us. This time it is in front of the stands that the show will take place. Aurélien Fontenoy, French champion and three-time Trial world vice-champion, will be present! High-flying acrobatics are guaranteed! Come watch the incredible MTB Trial demonstration for a show combining adrenaline, agility and precision.
The Little Champions
Champions Day is for everyone! Pedal sulky races will give children thrills. A mechanical rodeo will also provide entertainment! Come take on the challenge of staying in the saddle as long as possible! Other activities will be in place throughout the day: the wall of champions, pony baptism, horse carousel, etc.
Culinary Champions
French gastronomy will be in the spotlight during Champions Day. After thrills on the slopes, come and wake up your taste buds! Along the track, French street food champions, such as Bokit And Mobile Burgerboth medalists, will offer you delicious specialties to treat you as close as possible to the races.
Renowned chefs will be present on the racecourse! Justine Piluso, one of the faces of the show Top Chef 2020, will be present to present his concept of ‘finger food’. This chef is known for her approach to healthy, sustainable, local and responsible food. Justine Piluso is very present on social networks with more than 210,000 followers. Another well-known chef will be present at the racecourse: Nicolas Paciello. Finalist for Best Worker in France, he will make the signature dessert for Champions Day.
