2024 Prix d'Amérique

January 28, 2024 - Trotting, 2,700 meters, Paris-Vincennes

Preview: January 26, 2024

Like last year, Idao de Tillard will enter the world's most important trotting race as favourite. But it won't be easy against strong rivals, like defending champion Hooker Berry, the steady Italian Ampia Mede SM or the reinvigorated Gu d’Héripré.

Idao de Tillard has already won twenty group races at the age of six, including the Prix Ténor de Baune in a new record time on Christmas Eve. The son of Severino did not lose a race last year, unless he got disqualified, like in the Prix de Sélection or Prix René Ballière. He also started to galop in last year's Prix d'Amérique, where he was the race favourite, together with Horsy Dream. If trainer Thierry Duvaldestin gets this problem under control, Idao de Tillard will not be easy to defeat. A last test, at the Prix de Belgique on January 14, had to be cancelled due to a cough.

Hooker Berry won the 2023 Amérique, still was not among the favourites in the betting markets for a long time. He has not won a race since his big triumph, got beaten in the Prix de France and Prix de Paris and did not do better on his two starts after an eight-month break. However, the charge of Jean-Michel Bazire made a great return to Paris-Vincennes on November 19, demonstrated his impressive finishing speed when came runner-up in the Prix de Bretagne. He also gave a good performance in the Prix du Bourbonnais, then took it easy in the Prix de Bourgogne on December 31. Just as little meaningful was his recent eighth place in the 'Belgique', which makes an assessment on the defending champion not easy.

Ampia Mede SM finished runner-up in the 2023 Prix d'Amérique, and became the horse with the highest earnings of the last Paris Winter Meeting by winning the Prix de France and Prix de Paris in February. The eight-year-old mare, who started her career in Italy and is now with Fabrice Souloy in France, has been in her stable most of the year, but managed a promising comeback on the fourth place in the Prix de Bretagne. With Franck Nivard in her Sulky, she looked very strong in the 'Bourbonnais' and 'Bourgogne' and definitely can win the 2024 Amérique.

Gu d’Héripré is probably the biggest surprise of the Winter Meeting so far. Actually, the eight-year-old son of Coktail Jet had already been third in the 2021 Amérique, but then suffered from a fetlock fracture and was given up by most. However, as 92:1 outsider, he finished third in the Prix du Bourbonnais and, shod all around, even won the Prix de Bourgogne. Like Ampia Mede SM, also Gu d’Héripré stands in the stable of Fabrice Souloy.

Izoard Védaquais was mostly overshadowed by Idao de Tillard, but had some decent achievements since Benjamin Rochard is his new driver. Due to an awkward run, the six-year-old charge of Philippe Allaire failed in the Prix de Bretagne, then, although not totally encouraged, gained his Amérique ticket in the 'Bourbonnais' and finally won the Prix de Belgique in January. However, the son of Bird Parker still has problems at the start and in the Prix Ténor de Baune he had to settle behind Idao de Tillard once again.

Hussard du Landret showed some good races in last year's Paris Winter Meeting and finished seventh in the Prix d'Amérique. His start to this year's meeting was even better, he won the Prix de Bretagne against strong opposition. The son of Bird Parker had already attracted attention when won the Critérium des 5 Ans against the complete H-generation.

Hokkaido Jiel, another colt of the 2017-born H-generation, got the ticket for the 2024 Prix d'Amérique with a third place in the Prix de Bretagne. Most recently, he finished seventh in the Prix de Belgique. He already surprised when won the Prix René Ballière in a new record time last summer.

Go On Boy qualified as runner-up in the Prix de Belgique. Due to the rather low quality of that race, he was even second favourite. The eight-year-old, who actually prefers the sprinting distances, had already been runner-up in last year's Elitloppet, UET Elite Circuit and Gran Premio delle Nazioni.

Inmarosa is one of the best horses in her age group, but had to settle behind the stars Idao de Tillard and Izoard Védaquais. Behind these two, she came third in the Prix Ténor de Baune on Christmas Eve, then gave a great performance in the Prix de Belgique. Demonstrating impressive finishing speed, she missed victory only by a short head, came runner-up together with Go On Boy and qualified for the big race.

Hohneck missed a placement in last year's Amérique only narrowly, but then won the 2023 Elitloppet and the final of the UET Elite Circuit. The son of Royal Dream is one of the big players in trotting, but he has his strength over the short distances. The fact, he just finished only tenth over 2,100 meters in the Prix de Bourgogne, is not a sign of good form, however.

Emeraude de Bais is one of these horses, who find their best with age. Sixteen months ago, the ten-year-old mare took part in a group race for the first time and is now at the zenith of her career. She finished fourth in the Finale du Grand National du Trot at the beginning of December and came runner-up in the Prix de Bourgogne at the end of the month, she will now even start in the 2024 Prix d'Amérique. Actually, she prefers longer distances than the 'Bourgogne'.

Hail Mary is the biggest hope of the three Swedish horses. The winner of the 2020 Svenskt Travderby is still one of the best Scandinavian trotters. At the turn of the year, he came to France for the first time, disappointed in the Prix de Bourgogne, but looked improved on a sixth place in the 'Belgique'. Now, without shoes, he might even do better; trainer Daniel Redén is pretty confident.

Joviality is the youngest horse in the 2024 Prix d'Amérique. The five-year-old daugther of Chapter Seven had started her career in the USA, won the Svenskt Travderby against the colts in September and could also impress in Paris in January, when came runner-up behind Jushua Tree in the Prix de Croix. Obviously, it is impossible to say, how she will perform against older horses now.

Aetos Kronos made it to the Prix d'Amérique through his price money, he probably would not have passed an athletic qualification at present. At better times, the eight-year-old son of Bold Eagle had won four group-one-races in Sweden. His nomination might be one of the reasons why there are considerations to determine all Amérique starters by qualification races in the future.

Italiano Vero got to the Amérique by his price money too, benefited from the ten percent bonus for six-year-olds. He was considered one of the best colts of his generation, beat Inmarosa, Izoard Védaquais and the disqualified Idao de Tillard in the Critérium des 4 Ans. Since then, he is without victory and could neither convince in his two pre-races. However, he was third in last year's Prix d'Amérique.

Vivid Wise AS is one of the world's best sprinters and gained the most price money of all starters. Despite his huge experience, the 21-times group-one-winner is only outsider, though he finished forth two years ago.

Délia Du Pommereux will run for the sixth time in the Prix d'Amérique, she came forth behind Gu d’Héripré back in 2021. The eleven-year-old mare could not attract attention recently and is total outsider.

Diable De Vauvert is another eleven-year-old, who takes his last chance to run the Amérique. He suffered from several injuries the last years and is without any chance.

Tip:  Idao de Tillard - Ampia Mede SM - Gu d'Héripré

Amérique Livestream: LeTrot


Fixed odds for the 2024 Prix d'Amérique can be found at RaceBets.com