Phenomenon of his generation, Idao de Tillard dominated the last winter meeting head and shoulders. He even appeared unapproachable and maintained his invincibility. Nose-to-the-wind winner of the Prix d’Amérique last winter, offering a third crown to his trainer, Thierry Duvaldestin, after the two coronations of Ready Cash, Idao de Tillard will try to follow in the footsteps of his eldest and his two sons, Bold Eagle et Face Time Bourbonthe last three trotters double winners of the Prix d’Amérique Legend Race: “Last winter, he was truly exceptional. This year he’s not as strong, but he’s on the right track. He was sick at the start of the meeting, being positive for leptospirosis. He had lost condition, back and muscle, particularly in the hindquarters, but he reassured us in the Prix de Bourgogne which he won..” After tracking Go On Boyhis main rival on Sunday, “the latter was heavily shod at the end of December and we had his back”, recalls Thierry, Idao de Tillard returns to victory at Vincennes: “The important thing was to qualify. We were reassured. We have less pressure than last year. It has since been serviced and looks good to me. We didn’t overtrain him. He has his place on the podium.”
Barefoot for the first time
Presented barebacked last year, Idao de Tillard was gradually lightened in his shoeing until he was unshod on all four feet for the first time on Sunday. The chef’s surprise in a way: “He is 7 years old now and has toughened up a lot. He was tackled several times without it causing any problems. We have to try something. It will have the same bracelet weight as last year, i.e. 220 to 230 grams. The weather forecast looks average. Also he should be barefoot as well.” We remember that Ready Cash had been beaten in his quest for a third coronation in the 2013 Prix d’Amérique by Royal Dreamthen barefoot for the first time.
Lasting over time remains the mark of cracks, as they have been able to do in the recent past Face Time Bourbon, Bold Eagle, Bilibili, when mounted, Ready Cash et Maharajah, but also Varenne, General of Pommeau, Victory Tilly, I de Bellouetin the early 2000s. Idao de Tillard can fit into this line after a difficult year 2024 with the disillusionment of the Elitloppet, the various health problems he experienced in the spring and fall, and finally Thierry Duvaldestin’s recent accident in training . It is in difficulty that we rise stronger. The reconquest is underway!
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