The Prix d’Amérique in Paris at Vincennes is one of the world’s most storied races.
The premiere in the French capital was already run in 1920.
On January 28, it’s time again.
Starring a blue-yellow horse.
His name is San Moteur and he was born on a spring day on May 5, 2017 in Vårgårda, Västergötland.
During its 29 races, the star has earned a fine 12,537,187 kroner.
Now awaits the Swedish jumper’s biggest challenge in his career: the mythical Prix d’Amérique.
On November 19 last year, San Moteur debuted in France in the Prix de Bretagne.
There was no victory, but the owner Håkan Arvidsson and the trainer and coachman Björn Goop were still satisfied with the horse’s performance.
It was another trip to Paris.
Three weeks later, revenge came.
Björn Goop steered San Moteur to victory in the Prix de Bourbonnais – the win gave him a place in the Prix d’Amérique.
Now there are barely four weeks left until the winter’s trot raiser.
Håkan Arvidsson is happy and hopeful.
– San Moteur feels really nice. He has just been out training, says Arvidsson.
Will not compete before PdA
The road to Paris and the Vincennes railway is already ready.
– San Moteur will not compete until Paris. There will be eight more training jobs before we go to France, says Håkan Arvidsson.
There will be a competition break of seven weeks. But there is nothing that scares the happy Värmlander Arvidsson.
– The idea was that he would get a race before Paris, but he has done so many great performances in the past after a slightly longer competition break, therefore we choose instead that he should stay at home and train, says Arvidsson.
San Moteur leaves from Lökene farm in Värmland’s Kil on Tuesday, January 23.
177 miles to go.
– We have the itinerary ready. We stay in Malmö. San Moteur gets a break and can rest at Jägersro, which welcomed us earlier with open arms. Very nicely done, says Arvidsson.
There will be further stops in Germany before the horse transport reaches its final destination.
How does your star manage to travel so far?
– No problem. He always eats and drinks well during his travels, says Arvidsson.
How do you see the race?
– It will be tough, but I know I have a good horse that can win.
Is second most played: “Flattered”
If we look at the preliminary odds, the Swedish hope is second most played behind the French star Idao De Tillard, who earned over twelve million kroner.
French sulky hope Clément Duvaldestin, 25, impressed when he steered his star to victory in the Prix Tenor Baune for five-year-olds on Christmas Eve afternoon.
– I am flattered that the French have respect for my horse, says Håkan Arvidsson.
San Moteur has previously gone without rear shoes in its races – but now, when the classic race in Paris is to be decided, the front shoes also come off.
– We have saved this gear just for this race, says Håkan Arvidsson.
Björn Goop, who trains and drives San Moteur, knows how to win in the French capital.
The 47-year-old Goop, who has over 7000 victories, won the Grand Prix d’Amérique for the first time in 2018 with Readly Express.
Goop also steered Face Time Bourbon to victory in 2020 and 2021.
– Björn will be down in Paris all week. It will be so exciting. We are really looking forward to the race, says Håkan Arvidsson.
how is your french
– I don’t know many words, but Björn speaks fluently.
Håkan Arvidsson tells us that San Moteur will have massive support on site in Paris.
– The family comes down, I have four children and five grandchildren. There will be twelve relatives who will cheer on Björn and San Moteur, says Håkan Arvidsson.
SAN MOTEUR WAS BORN IN MAY 2017
Name: San Motor
Born: 5 May 2017 in Vårgårda Västergötland.
Owner and breeder: Håkan Arvidsson.
Trainer and driver: Bjorn Goop.
Dad: Engine failure.
Mamma: Aung San Suu Kyi.
Starter: 29.
Victories: 20.
Prize money: SEK 12,537,187.
Bigger Victories: Prix Readly Express (2021), Lyon Grand Prix (2022), Prince Carl Philips Jubilee Cup (2022), Jubilee Cup (2022), Paralympic Run (2023); Prix du Bourbonnais (2023)
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2024-01-02 11:20:27
#San #Moteur #win #super #race
