Prix d'Amérique Marionnaud 2012 - Actors

Matthieu Abrivard

Age:26

First winner: Jacinthe du Rondet aged 16 at Vincennes

Total victories (in France): 970 (up to 13/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 2011 (175 victories up to 13/12/2011)

Principal successes:
Prix de Cornulier 2004, 2005, 2006
(Jag de Bellouet), Prix du Président de la République, de Normandie (Rombaldi), Prix de Paris (Private Love)

Status: Trainer/Driver

Based at Brion (Maine-et-Loire)

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Elittloppet (Sweden) – Prix de Cornulier (France)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
As I’ve not yet notched up any particularly sparkling results, my favourite memories are to do with the special atmosphere on the day. There is such sporting pressure bubbling away around the start line yet the silence is incredible.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Dryade des Bois’s win (in 1998) amazed me. Jos Verbeeck managed to steal his way through the field right at the end to take victory.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Jag de Bellouet as I rode him in the saddle and know him well. It would have been a great honour for me to compete in the greatest of races with him.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
You have to turn up in top form on the day. You know your competitors well as you see each other at all of the qualifying races. You tend to run through a number of race scenarios to ensure you’re ready to react to the best of your ability during the race.

Between now and the end of the Winter meeting, Matthieu Abrivard is certain to pass the 1000 winner mark. As he is going now, it should be attained in January or February. It is an impressive ascension for the son of Loic-Desire, who went to the apprentice school at Graignes, and was taught by the mounted trotting master, Joel Hallais.

Very talented, Matthieu won his first race at Vincennes at the age of 16 years and two months in his father’s colours, recording 13 successes that season. At 17 years and nine months, he went on to become a professional after recording 50 wins. At 18 years and eight months, he won his first Prix de Cornulier with Jag de Bellouet. He was still riding with long stirrups…
In 2005, Matthieu adopted the new style, and finished third for the first time on the podium in 2006. He has won the last three titles, and looks on course to take another this year. Not happy with his status as Champion jockey, he also tried his hand at driving with 21 wins in 2006, 38 in 2007, 67 in 2008, 74 in 2009, 104 in 2010 and 125 this year.

Matthieu has also tasted success as a trainer, and shares a stable with his father. He has already recorded 140 successes, including stars Nègre du Digeon, Nimrod Boréalis, Nil, Océan du Digeon, Sablon de Cesny, etc…

Matthieu is the complete professional. He has a child together with his partner Nathalie Henry, the first woman jockey to have taken the Prix du President de la Republique.

Jean-Michel Bazire

Age:40

First winner: Quelasio in August 1987 at Vincennes, aged 18

Total victories (in France): 4 405 (up to 13/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 2006 (339 victories)

Principal successes:
Prix d’Amérique 1999 (the American Moni Maker) and 2004 (Kesaco Phedo) under his training. Abroad, l’Elitlopett (L’Amiral Mauzun in 2007 and Exploit Caf in 2008).

Status:
Breeder/owner/trainer/driver

Based at Solesmes (Sarthe), and also at Grobois (Boissy St Leger)

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Elittloppet (Sweden) – Hugo Abergs Memorial (Sweden)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
My win with Késaco Phédo, as a significant team effort for the Wildenstein colours that was rewarded with a prestigious win.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Queila Gédé’s win, as Roger Baudron had worked so hard in preparation for the race and then drove so well.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Ténor de Baune, because of his incredible class.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
We know our fellow competitors well as we see each other so often. The key thing is to avoid over-thinking how things will play out on the course as things never turn out as planned. I try my best to turn up feeling as cool and calm as possible, having had a good night’s sleep.

As the 2012 calendar published by LeTROT implies, Jean-Michel Bazire is the ‘’Zidane’’ of trotting racing. In 2011, four months are losing his father and his mentor, the professional fractured his tibia and fibula on February 3rd at Vincennes.

After an operation and physiotherapy at the famous sports centre Capbreton, Jean-Michel made his return on April 15. Five days later, he recorded a comeback victory in the West. At this point, he was placed fifth in the drivers table with 29 races, behind Eric Rafffin (53), Franck Nivard (43), Matthieu Abrivard (41) et Christophe Martens (31).

Despite a break of a month and a half, the driver counts 262 successes, insuring a 12th consecutive Sulky d’Or. His stables also are third in the list, having taken the title in 2010.

At 40, known as ‘’JMB’’ for racing fans, ‘’Jean-Mi’’ to his friends, he has nearly won an incredible 5,000 races.

Christian Bigeon

Age:52

First winner: August 1975 at the age of 16 at Vincennes

Total victories (in France): 1 252 (up to 14/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 58 wins in 2007

Principal successes:
Prix de Paris 1992 (Vivier de Montfort), Critérium des 5 Ans 1992 (Vivier de Montfort), 2006 (Notre Haufor), 2008 (Paris Haufor), Prix Albert Viel 2009 (Sévérino)…

Status:
Breeder/Owner/Trainer/Driver

Based at Haras d’Haufor in Bourgneuf-la-Foret in Mayenne. He also has a stable in Grosbois (Boissy St Leger near Vincennes).

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Elittloppet (Sweden) – Hambletonian (USA)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
My second place finish with Jardy in 2006, which was also my highest-placed finish. It was really great to place, and it was all the more special because I did it in the Wildenstein colours.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
I’ve good memories of last year’s contest between Ready Cash and Maharajah. I was right in the mix and finished sixth, but it was only when I watched a replay that I realised the sporting feat achieved by the horses in first and second place.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Varenne, because handling him was just like driving a car. You could do exactly what you wanted with him. He exuded assurance and strength.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
Obviously, I follow my fellow competitors’ races. There is significant pressure in the last week before the race when you are also a trainer, as is the case for me.

Even at the age of 52, Christian Bigeon has the figure of a young man. He is still at the top of his game, and is not ready to leave the driving to others, although In the mounted trotting sphere, his son in law Damien Bonne takes the rides.

For over half a century, the Bigeon family have been a leading force from their base in Mayenne. Founded by Andre-Francis with his ‘’Barbes,’’. it was then his two sons Jean-Luc and Christian who followed suite, starting up on their own right early on in life.
Each brother have their own policies, with Christian’s horse base coming from his own bloodstock (Haufor) , as well as his father in law Francis Adam. He also buys a few colts at the sales. The objective is then to select the best, capable of shining at Vincennes.

Year on year, Christian has established himself as a Winter meeting specialist, setting the bar high over the 2010/2011 meeting, where his 40 horses won 42 races between them, collecting €1.57 million in prize money.

With regular results at the highest level, Christian Bigeon has already finished second in the Prix d’Amerique with Jardy , who was driven by Jean-Michel Bazire in 2006. Last year, he took an encouraging sixth place with Severino,The colt now looks like a leading prospect for this year’s edition.

Christophe Martens

Age:38

First winner: Graignes, aged 20

Total victoires : Between 3 000 and 3 500, of which 674 in France

Record number of wins in a year: 2011 (112 up to 14/12)

Principal successes:
Prix de l’Etoile 2000 (Jalencia), Critérium des 4 ans 2009 (Rolling d’Héripré), Olga du Biwetz (GP d’Eté, de la Toussaint 200), Commander Crowe (GP de Cagnes-sur-Mer, Prix d’Eté, Fédération du Nord)

Status: driver

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique – Elittloppet – Breeders Crown

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
My first race, when I drove Première Steed… It was the very first time I took part in the race and it was a real pleasure, it felt like success for me even though I didn’t stand a chance of winning. It’s just such a compelling race.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Ourasi’s final victory, which was made even more exciting by the whole ‘crop story’. It was the last time we saw the legendary horse compete in the race he had won four times. He was just phenomenal.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Ourasi again, because he was the greatest horse, and the easiest to handle. He knew how to do it all, he dominated the field and was an incredible fighter. He never, ever gave up.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
First and foremost, you have to do your homework. You need to know your competitors’ horses as well as your own. You also need to be confident and fit. Although there is a lot more stress with this race than there usually is, I don’t do anything in particular to prepare.

Together with Jos Verbeeck and Dominik Locqueneux, Christophe Martens makes up a leading trio of drivers ‘’made in Belgium’’ who have come to France with resounding success.
Born into the trotting world, Christophe follows in the footsteps of his father Gilbert, who also trained and drove his horses. However the difference between him and Christophe, is that the latter has made his career as a driver his priority, handing over the training to his older brother Vincent, with whom he works closely.

Despite winning his first Group race in France at the age of 22 with Athos du Boscail II and then his first Group 1 four years later in the Prix de l’Etoile with Jalencia, Christophe first made his name at Cagnes-sur-Mer in 2003. In 674 races won in France, 304 of these have been registered at the South of France track.

Known for his cool countenance and also his skilful handling of the various tracks, leading young trainer Fabrice Souloy first started soliciting Christophe’s talents in 2008. Their partnership developed, and they have since been associated with Champions Rolling d'Héripré, Olga du Biwetz, Commander Crowe,amongst others.
Since 2010, the Martens brothers have also tasted success notably with Athos du Boscail II, Sinko du Vivier, Ilaria Jet and Marielles, from their base at Geel in Belgium.

Jean-Etienne Dubois

Age:42

First winner: At Bihorel-les-Rouen in May 1987, aged 17 ½

Total victories (in France): 1102 in France (Up to 14/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 1995 (67 wins)

Principal successes:
Critérium des 5 ans, Prix d’Amérique and Eliltloppet 1995 (Coktail Jet), Critérium des 3 ans 1993 (Carpe Diem), Critérium des 4 ans 1994 (Défi d’Aunou), five Critériumes des Jeunes, Prix René Ballière 2011 (Quaker Jet)

Status:
Breeder/driver/trainer/owner

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Hambletonian (USA) - Elittloppet (Sweden)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
High Echelon in 1979. I was ten years old and it was my dad’s first win. That was a defining moment for me as a young boy with my sights set on entering the profession.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Varenne’s win in 2000. Sheer perfection. The race was a walkover for him despite four or five false starts and I truly admired his brilliance and the ease with which he dominated the field.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Varenne again… He was a true star, a real one-off. He was easy to handle and anyone could have driven him to victory, even Gianpaolo Minucci…

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
The key thing is to prepare the horse well, particularly when, like me, you’re the trainer. It’s the horse that inspires the much-needed confidence and relaxed approach. Then it’s just a question of concentration to ensure you don’t falter at the start, and that little bit of luck that gets you into a good position at the finish.

In contrast to his older brother Jean-Philippe or his sister Veronique, Jean-Etienne Dubois has never ridden competitively in the saddle in any sphere. After his baccalaureate, he also wasn’t sure whether he was going to enter into the family firm at all. Despite not being taken immediately by the sport, Jean-Etienne learnt very quickly. After a small time in the United States learning his trade, he showed his talent for driving, as well as starting his career as a trainer at the age of 22.

Four years later, Jean-Etienne won the Prix d’Amerique with his stable star Coktail Jet, The colt triumphed in the colours of Daniel Wildenstein, having sold a share in him. Four months later, they took the Elitloppet. It was an incredible start for the young professional, as he had also won the Criterium des 3 Ans the year before, and the Criterium des 4 Ans a season before that.

In one word, ‘’JEt’’ is a master at all he turns his hand to : breeding, training, driving etc. With a regular 50/60 wins on average per year, he continues to enjoy the sport, but also leaves some of the driving to his friends. For example, Pierre Vercruysse has finished second twice in the Prix d’Amerique with his horses Echo and Quaker Jet. With the latter, he has gained enormous pleasure.

Richard Westerink

Age:32

First winner: Lucky Wood at Toulouse in September 2002, aged 22

Total victories (in France): 66 (up to 01/01/2012)

Record number of wins in a year: 2010 (8 winners)

Principal successes:
Prix Albert Viel (Timoko), Critérium des 3 Ans (Timoko), Prix de Sélection (Timoko), Critérium des 4 Ans (Timoko), Critérium Continental (Timoko).

Status: Driver/trainer

Based at Gabarret (Landes)

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique without doubt, then the Elitlopp in Sweden and the Hambletonian at Meadowlands.

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
I haven’t got any as this will be my first on Sunday 29th!

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Queen L’s win in 1993. I was young and I loved her, and admired her gait. I’d already seen her race several times. Her finish floored me. Stig Johansson barely moved in the harness. Last year I was at Vincennes and Ready Cash made his mark on me. But that’s much more recent…

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Timoko, of course, as he’s mine and he’s confident on the course.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
I am going to prepare as I normally would for the other Group 1 races… There will be less pressure on me than there was in the Critérium Continental when expectations were high for us to place. Timoko’s not the favourite so there will be less pressure on me.

Timoko’s accomplice

Today’s drivers at Vincennes have the edge with their intimate knowledge of the tracks, having raced over them several thousand times in their careers.

With his slightly heavier build, Richard Westerink is out of the ordinary: solid as a rock, he only drives at Vincennes 10 times a year. The humble professional never hesitated about taking advice from his colleagues however, especially at the start of Timoko’s career.

On two occasions during the winner of 2009/2010, the Dutchman handed over his charge to two of the most experienced and successful drivers at Vincennes, Jean-Michel Bazire, and Pierre Vercruysse. As chance had it, these two races ended up in disqualification. Since then, Richard took back his role in the sulky, and with Timoko, he has so far won 10 races.

Today, the driver is indispensable to his Champion, and vice versa. Timoko gives everything to Richard Westerink, and he knows how to handle the colt to his best advantage. Timoko will dispute his first Prix d’Amerique with a driver who has less than 70 wins in the sulky. But for both of them, it isn’t a problem.

Franck Nivard

Age:32

First winner: Cajam du Bel Air at Avranches in August 1995, aged 16

Total victories (in France): 1 605 (up to 14/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 2009 (238 winners)

Principal successes:
Prix d’Amérique 2009 (Meaulnes du Corta) et 2011 (Ready Cash), Prix de Cornulier 2008 (Magnificent Rodney), Prix de France 2007 (Kool du Caux) and 2011 (Ready Cash), Prix du Président de la République 2010 (Scipion du Goutier) et 2003 (Legs du Clos)

Status:
Owner/driver/trainer/jockey

Based at Grosbois, in the area of Boissy-Saint-Leger (Val de Marne).

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Hambletonian (USA) – Elittloppet (Sweden)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
My first prix d’Amérique with Meaulnes du Corta. I was under a lot of pressure as it was our first chance of success. The whole team needed to make it count, and we couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong. It all turned out well in the end.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Last year’s race from the harness behind Ready Cash. It was a truly great race; both tactical and straightforward with the best runners, two superb horses, out in front. It was a magnificent contest with a splendid finish.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Ready Cash. I actually think I’ve got the good fortune to be driving the horse we’d all dream of pairing up with for this sort of race.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
It’s a race like any other, that you have to run as normal without giving it too much thought. I don’t do anything special the night before or on the morning of the race.

From one season to another, Franck Nivard gathers admiration from his followers. So much so, that he is now considered on a par with Jean-Michel Bazire in his sphere. Several trainers call on his talents, both as a jockey and driver due to his composure and golden hands, which sees him succeed with some of the most difficult horses.

Since November 2010, Franck has been associated with Ready Cash He has succeeded in channelling the wayward energy of last year’s Prix d’Amerique winner, and horse and driver now make the perfect couple. Very down to earth, “Frankie” knows how to deal with Ready Cash, who still has the immaturity of the talented juvenile that saw him take the Criterium des Jeunes in 2008.

Qualitatively, 2011 was the best year yet for Franck, with five wins at the highest level. These included the Prix d’Amerique with Ready Cash, Criterium des Jeunes (Uaukir), as well as in the saddle with Scipion du Goutier Goutier (Prix des Centaures), and the Prix du President with Tango Quick. The only thing missing is the Etrier d’Or, as well as an important international success.

When he is not driving, Franck trains around 20 horses at Grosbois, where he lives with his partner Lydie, who also looked after Dryade des Bois, winner of the Prix d’Amerique in 1998.

Jos Verbeeck

Age:54

First winner: Aged 28 at Croise-Laroche in July 1985

Total victories (in France): 3 134 (up to 14/12/2011). Around 7 000 across the world

Record number of wins in a year: 1986 (185 winners in France)

Principal successes:
Prix d’Amérique 1994 (Sea Cove), 1997 (Abo Volo), 1998 (Dryade des Bois), 2003 (Abano As), Elitloppet 1993 (Sea Cove), 1999 (Remington Crown)

Status: driver

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Hambletonian (USA) – Elittloppet (Sweden)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
My win with Sea Cove, where our tactic was to go out and lead from the front. The horse was out of this world, the best I have ever known, and the one that I am most fond of… I said to myself: either I win with him or I go back to Belgium for good.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
The one when I drove Abo Volo… It was truly special to get a first win for the Viel colours. Mr Albert Viel was in hospital on the day of the race and passed away a few days later.

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Ourasi, because you could steer him exactly as you wanted. You could charge ahead or stay tucked in behind the others waiting for the gap that would inevitably appear. He’s the best horse I have ever seen. He went out and beat all of the great American horses at will.

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
You have to have the horse to prepare. It’s the horse that has to prepare for the race. The driver only counts for 10%... I don’t tend to do anything special before a prix d’Amérique.

Jos Verbeeck is a master driver.

At the end of the noughties with the omnipresence of Jean-Michel Bazire, and the growing status of Nivard/Raffin/Abrivard etc., the Belgian may have taken a second look at his future, having won a smaller amount of races than usual. Events were to turn around however.

With one of the most spectacular list of big race wins for an active driver in Europe, Jos has found his youth again this season. He won 101 races in 2010, and has already won 85 (up to 14/12) this season. Of these number six Group races, as well as a Group 1 with the three year old filly Union d'Urzy.

Thanks to this positive turn of events, Jos once again is wearing the colours of the Luck Stable, with which he had a large number of successes in the 90s, notably winning two important races with Jean-Michel Bazire’s Robert Keeper,. In top form, Jos holds the record for the number of Prix d’Amerique’s won, and has many options for this year. Of his four successes, the triumphs of Sea Cove (1993) and Dryade des Bois (1997) stand out.

Since 2003 and Abano AS, the ‘Belgian Devil’ continues to dream of the Amerique. He has reason.

Eric Raffin

Age:30

First winner: Deesse du Plessis at Vincennes in December 1997, aged 16.

Total victories (in France): 1 396 (up to 14/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 2011 (198 winners up to 14/12/2011)

Principal successes:
Prix de Normandie 2000 (Hugo du Bossis), Prix de Cornulier 2003 (Joyau d’Amour), Prix de Vincennes 2004 (Nancy Menuet), Prix des Elites 2006 (Nouba Turgot), Prix de l’Etoile 2009 and Prix de Sélection 2010 (Saxo de Vandel), Grand Prix d’Aby 2011 (Rapide Lebel)

Status: Driver/jockey

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Elittloppet (Sweden) – Hambletonian (USA)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
Last year with Olga du Biwetz… The race wasn’t easy, but we still ended up on the podium having finished behind the two champions, Ready Cash and Maharajah.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Pussy Cat in 1990. I will always remember seeing my dad driving the mare down the home strait in the lead – it was the kind of special moment that a boy of that age never forgets. Ourasi won and then after Minou Gougeon’s legendary ‘crop story’, Potin d’Amour was disqualified. We ended up in third place, which was just fantastic…

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Varenne… He was just out of this world …

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
I don’t think there is any need for specific preparation before racing the prix d’Amérique. You do need to make sure you are mentally and physically prepared though, particularly mentally, and that you are used to taking charge of good horses. I think you need to be very calm to drive well.

Eric Raffin’s 30th year has exceeded all expectations. Not only has he recorded over 200 winners in a season for the first time (in France and abroad), he has also racked up a total of 100 Group victories in his career. Of these, 31 have been won this season.
He also recorded another first when triumphing with Rapide Lebel twice in Finland, as well as once in Sweden and Belgium. Eric also just failed to take the Elitloppet and the Breeders’ Crown in Canada. The icing on the cake comes as the professional currently leads the mounted trotting division with 54 races up to 14 December, which could give him a third Etrier d’Or (after 2006 and a year later).

Born in the Vendee, Eric is also unbeatable in the sulky, and hidden under his eternal smile, there is a huge hunger to win. He follows in the footsteps of his father Jean, who was a trainer/driver, tasting success most notably with Pussy Cat in the Prix de France in the 1980s.

Eric’s older brother Olivier has taken over the family flame in the Vendee, whilst he gives up all his time to being a jockey. In 2011, Sebastien Guarato gave him his largest amount of victories (42), although he relies on the support of a large number of trainers.

Married to Marie, the daughter of Yves Dreux, they have two children. The succession looks secure…

Pierre Vercruysse

Age:48

First winner: Kyflavo at Graignes aged 17

Total victories (in France): 1 539 (up to 14/12/2011)

Record number of wins in a year: 1999 (100 victories)

Principal successes:
Prix de France 2009 (Meaulnes du Corta) and Prix de l’Etoile 1998 and 2010 (Hello Jo and The Lovely Gwen).

Status: Trainer/driver

Based at Grosbois (Val de Marne).

INTERVIEW

Your ranking of the world’s top three harness races:
Prix d’Amérique (France) – Elittloppet (Sweden) – Hambletonian (USA)

Your favourite prix d’Amérique memory:
My third place finish with Défi d’Aunou in 1997. The horse wasn’t perfect but I gave him a good run and we managed to finish third behind Abo Volo and Capitole.

The greatest prix d’Amérique that you have ever seen:
Jos Verbeeck’s win with Abo Volo. He showed huge nerve going out in front like that. Jos is the kind of driver who can try anything and pull it off! Anyone who tries to follow his lead comes a cropper, though. I think that’s what’s known as genius!

The horse you dreamed of driving in a prix d’Amérique:
Ready Cash, particularly as I drove him around the Prix de Bourgogne last year! He is a great champion. He deserves even more recognition than he gets…let’s not forget that he has been competing at the highest level since the Critérium des Jeunes!

How do you prepare to race in a prix d’Amérique:
I confess it’s not easy to get an early night… I tend to enjoy a trip to the cinema the night before a race. I remember I went to see Gainsbourg in concert one year. You need to start out as relaxed as possible.

Pierre Vercruysse has already twice finished second in the Prix d’Amerique : in 1998 with Echo and in 2010 with Quaker Jet. His status as a luxury replacement driver has seen him take the Prix de Bourgogne 2011 with Ready Cash and l’edition 2010, one of the the rounds of the Grand National du Trot run at Rouen with Oyonnax.

Pierre has been interested for a long time in the United States. At the age of 20, he went to America to learn about the country’s racing, learn English, and see a different view. Five years later, he came back to set up on his own.

The professional then didn’t make the choice between driving and training. Based at Grosbois, he opted to have a small number of horses, giving him time to drive in Paris and in the South West. Every year he wins between 50 and 100 races.

A popular memeber of the community, for his simplicity and expression, Pierre is also the jockeys/drivers representative at the Cheval Français, who govern trotting racing.