1st leg Tour European Trotteur Francais gets underway

Mons (Ghlin) this day (Aug. 16) hosted the first harness racing leg of the 2023 Tour European Trotteur Francais named the Prix de l’Amitie Franco-Belgique (purse 25,000€, 2300 meters autostart, 11 starters).

The victory went to 5.1/1 odds Diable du Vauvert (10m Prince d’Espace-Pop Star) in rein to trainer Bertrand LeBeller. The 1.14.0kr timed winner now has earned 1,137,690€ for his career.

The 2.6/1 Eclat de Gloire (9g Tiego d’Etang) was second for trainer/driver Loris Garcia; this one with earnings of 8a33,500€. Third was the 1.4/1 favorite Ce Bello Romain (11g Jam Pridem) handled by trainer Jules Van den Putte, this one a winner of 1,049,319€ lifetime. Beau de Grimoult (12g Pacifique Gede) was fourth at 174/1 for Gilles Williams.

The Mons racecourse also hosted the third five race session of the World Drivers Championship. The point standing through the third leg is shown below.

The legendary European trotter Lionel was retired this week at age 13. He won over 1.736€ million for Goran Antonsen. He was a winner of the Olimpiatravet in 2017 and was third in the Prix d’Amerique that year. In 2018 he was second in the International Trot. The flashy chestnut was a fan favorite as he battled many of Europe’s best during the peak of his racing career.

ATG, PMU, LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink