“I didn’t expect to see motorcycles!” : The Prix d’Amérique stopped at the Agen racecourse

Sunday 19th January 2025 09:53 AM

the essential
A day of entertainment around the American Grand Prix took place this Sunday, January 19 at the Agen – La Garenne racecourse with a distinguished guest… A legendary trophy.

For the first time in the history of the Prix d’Amérique Legend Race, the official trophy, a true symbol of excellence of the Sulky world championship, set off on an unprecedented tour across France.

This Sunday, January 19, the Agen racecourse hosted the prestigious trophy before the Pau stage on Tuesday, January 21. “This major stage of the tour offers significant influence to the Agen racecourse, particularly for this first meeting of the season. The Grand Prix of America is one of the most beautiful trotting races in the world. For many, “Seeing this legendary trophy is a dream. With this coming to Lot-et-Garonnaise, it is a fantastic promotional opportunity for the world of horse racing and for Agen in particular”, rejoices the director of the racecourse, Eliette. Debono.

The 7 kg brass trophy, so coveted by the best trotters in the world.
Picture – JD

Numerous activities on the theme of America

Only eight French racecourses have been selected to host the Prix d’Amérique Trophy Tour, including the Agen racecourse allowing regional spectators to also participate in the Prix d’Amérique Legend Race experience. This traveling device offers trotting enthusiasts and the curious the opportunity to admire up close and take a photo with this 7 kg brass trophy whose value exceeds €10,000, so coveted by the world’s best in the discipline. . He will be back home for the big day of the Prix d’Amérique Legend Race this Sunday, January 26 in its exceptional setting that is the Paris Vincennes racecourse.

Throughout the day, nearly 1,500 visitors took advantage of the festivities around this exceptional meeting. The Agen racecourse was decked out in the colors of America for the reopening of the 2025 season. In addition to the traditional races, equestrian shows delighted young and old.

“We like to come here two or three times a year”

The jockeys indulged in the traditional races.
Photo JD

“We like to come here two or three times a year. My daughter rides horses and dreams of becoming a jockey. It’s not too expensive for a family visit and it takes up a Sunday!” explains Estelle, a young mother from Pont-du-Casse. Harley-Davidson and its Agen dealership took part in parades on the track to present their motorcycles.

“It’s perfect! When my wife told me we were coming to the racetrack, I didn’t expect to see motorcycles! Between Harley Davidson and the racetrack, they’re not quite the same type of horses” laughs, Alain, a former biker who traveled the roads of France for a long time on the back of one of these American racing cars.

Sherif Agenais at the wheel of “Dallas”, his legendary Chevrolet Texane, also hit the track with a few lucky visitors. A day with an American atmosphere full of surprises, particularly for one of the visitors who left with a VIP weekend at American prices.

The less lucky will be able to return on Wednesday January 22 for a premium race which should attract many visitors and punters to the bays of the racecourse.

The trophy stopped at PMU Le Viking in Passage a few hours before heading to the Agen racecourse.
Photo JD

Closer to the passing racers

To share the event with its customers, PMU is joining forces with the Prix d’Amérique Trophy Tour organized by the Société du Trotteur Français and offering local events in the eight cities that host the prestigious trophy.

It was at a partner establishment PMU in Passage that the trophy stopped a few hours before reaching the Agen racecourse. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with an event on the Quinté + bet and gifts to be won for punters, the PMU Le Viking bar, avenue de Verdun, had a nice surprise in store for its regulars and customers who came especially for the occasion.

Jérémie Tranchant, PMU area sales representative was on site: “The Viking is our best point of sale in Le Passage. It is important for us to be in places like this which every week offer our customers the opportunity to experience the horse races that fascinate us.”

Frédéric Ruggeri, manager of the point of sale and the PMU sales teams offered lucky customers the privilege of being able to take a photo with the legendary trophy. “We are happy to participate in this wonderful celebration. It is a piece of the American Grand Prix which is exported to Agen. Few new customers with this event but our regulars are there and it remains a fantastic vector for our passion horses”, explains the owner of the place with his famous good humor.