Eric Raffin Dominates Vincennes Meeting with Critérium Trials Treble

Eric Raffin stamped his authority on the Vincennes meeting on Saturday, August 29, steering home three winners from nine drives. The leading French reinsman opened his account in the Prix de Molay with Emirre, before securing the afternoon's feature, the Group II Quinté Prix Gaston de Wazières, with the outsider Molly Madrik. He completed his treble in the finale with Horus de Val in the Prix de Cachan. The day’s program was centered around the Critérium Trials, the final stepping stones toward the prestigious Critérium finals later this season.

The centerpiece of the afternoon was the Prix Gaston de Wazières – Critérium 4 Ans Q4 (Group II), the day’s Quinté event held over 2700 meters on the grande piste with a purse of €120,000. Molly Madrik (Jean-Michel Baudouin), a four-year-old filly by For You Madrik out of Feria Madrik, started as a relative outsider but benefited from a textbook drive by Raffin. Positioned fifth in a thinning field during the climb, she tracked Madrid Haufor before showing superior speed in the closing stages. The official result was 6, 12, 13, 2, 1, with Madrid Haufor (D. Bonne/Bigeon) finishing second, Magic Night (B. Goop/Allaire) third, Mystic des Forges fourth, and Mila des Couperies fifth. The victory guaranteed her an automatic spot in the Critérium des 4 Ans.

The other Group II qualifiers also saw some impressive performances. The Prix Gaston Brunet – Critérium 4 Ans Q3 went the way of Maestro Vrie (Mathieu Mottier), followed home by Magic Man (E. Dubois) and Mentor de Play in a finish order of 11, 8, 10, 7, 5. The Prix Jockey – Critérium 5 Ans Q2, also contested over 2700 meters for €120,000, was claimed by Lord du Bassin (Alexandre Abrivard) in a kilometer rate of 1'13''9, ahead of Lionheart (1'14''0) and L'As Desbois (1'14''1). Finally, the Prix Jacques de Vaulogé – Critérium 3 Ans Q3 was won by Nat King Cole under Damien Thomain. Nobel du Rib, a son of Face Time Bourbon, caught the eye with a strong late run to finish a close second.

Raffin began his treble in the opening race of the day. In the Prix de Molay (C1, 2100 meters, €46,000, Course D), he guided the Mme Sofia Aronsson-trained Emirre to victory in 1'10''9, beating out Exploit Kronos (Rochard B., 1'11''3) and Karolus Fair (Pierre-Yves Verva, 1'11''5). The afternoon concluded with a third win for Raffin aboard Horus de Val in the Prix de Cachan (C9, 2100 meters, €59,000, Course D), stopping the clock at 1'11''1, clear of Intrepide des Bois (Lagadeuc F., 1'11''3) and Ideal de Sassy (D. Bonne, 1'11''6). Equidia described the performance of Horus de Val as a parcours sur mesure, as the horse swept past the field in the uphill section to win comfortably.

Vincennes will return to action on Monday, August 31, as the season builds toward the Critérium finals. The trials on August 29 have certainly highlighted several live contenders, most notably Molly Madrik and Maestro Vrie, whose names must now be considered for the upcoming classics.