Vincennes staged another top-class weekend of harness racing action featuring the G2 Prix Ephrem Houel (2700m) and the G2 Prix Louis Le Bourg (2850m).
| Date | Saturday 12 February |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | Prix Ephrem Houel |
| Type | G2 – Driven – Four year olds – 2700m |
| Winner | Idao de Tillard |
| Driver | Clement Duvaldestin |
| Trainer | Thierry Duvaldestin |
| Breeding | Severino x America de Tillard |
| Second | Izoard Vedaquais |
| Third | Italiano Vero |
| Izoard Vedaquais and Idao de Tillard finished first and second in the G1 Sulky World Cup 4 Ans (2700m) two weeks ago and reversed the placings in the G2 Prix Ephrem Houel (2700m). Connections felt that Idao de Tillard had progressed from his Group One defeat at the end of January, fighting bravely to overcome his re-opposing rival in the closing stages. It was a notable victory from a bloodstock angle as it represented a first Group Two for sire Severino, who also won this contest. | |
| Date | Sunday 13 February |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | Prix Louis Le Bourg |
| Type | G2 – Mounted – 2850m – Four year olds |
| Winner | Indigo du Poret |
| Driver | Eric Raffin |
| Trainer | Yannick-Alain Briand |
| Breeding | Dollar Macker x Une Pluie du Poret |
| Second | Ici C'est Paris |
| Third | Ideale du Chene |
| Indigo du Poret took advantage of a below-par performance from the well-supported Ideale du Chene to win the G2 Prix Louis le Bourg (2850m). It was a switch of placings from the G1 Prix de Vincennes (2700m) where Indigo du Poret had finished third behind Ideale du Chene and Ici C'est Paris. Connections felt the conditions of the race had suited the winner compared to previous Group races. The overall feeling from the race was that the 'I' generation is a strong group of individuals and racing fans have plenty of exciting contests to look forward to in upcoming years. | |
| Date | Sunday 13 February |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | Prix de Rouen |
| Type | G3 – Driven – 2850m – Six year olds |
| Winner | Gamay de l'iton |
| Driver | Eric Raffin |
| Trainer | Hughes Levesque |
| Breeding | Bird Parker x Story de l'Iton |
| Second | Usain Toll |
| Third | Gipson Creek |
| Gamay de l'Iton completed a Group Three double when winning the G3 Prix du Rouen (2850m) on Sunday, having previously scored in the G3 Prix Michel-Marcel Gougeon (2700m). The horse is confident at this level and driver Eric Raffin was able to take advantage of his clear ability, winning comfortably. This driver-horse combination have recorded seven victories from seven races together. | |
| Date | Sunday 13 February |
| Venue | Vincennes |
| Race | Prix Ovide Moulinet |
| Type | G2 – Driven – 2700m – Five year olds |
| Winner | Hooker Berry |
| Driver | Jean-Michel Bazire |
| Trainer | Jean-Michel Bazire |
| Breeding | Booster Winner x Osaka Berry |
| Second | Hohneck |
| Third | Hussar du Landret |
| Hooker Berry and Hohneck resumed their rivalry in the G2 Prix Ovide Moulinet (2700m) on Sunday. It was a replication of the thrilling finish witnessed in the Prix Octave Douesnel (2700m) at the start of the Vincennes Winter Meeting but this time Hooker Berry took the win by a nose despite leaning in the closing stages. The victory marked a thirteenth Group Two success for owner-breeder Michel Aladenise. | |
