Vincennes ready for Critérium gala: three generations set for coronation day on Saturday

On Saturday, September 12, the main track at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes takes center stage for the annual Critérium gala. Three Group 1 contests contested over 2,700 meters, each offering a purse of 300,000 euros, will crown the champions of their respective crops. The declarations are largely established, and the three-year-old division features an exceptionally competitive field of fifteen contenders lining up at the start.

In the Critérium des 3 ans, Nocive du Choquel is the richest horse in the field with 434,120 euros in career earnings. The protégé of trainer N. Bridault has scored three wins in his last five starts and will be driven by F. Lagadeuc, boasting a personal best of 1'10"8. His primary challenge comes from Philippe Allaire's yard: Nat King Cole, handled by D. Thomain, has amassed 273,975 euros and recently captured a prep race. Neo de Joudes (J.P. Monclin), in the sulky with Eric Raffin, arrives on the back of four consecutive runner-up finishes followed by a pair of victories and must be taken seriously with his bankroll of 226,850 euros and a record of 1'10"9.

Thierry Duvaldestin's powerhouse stable sends no fewer than four contenders into the Critérium des 3 ans. Nuevo Cash, driven by Théo Duvaldestin for his father Thierry, commands attention with a mark of 1'09"5, the fastest kilometer time of the entire field. Norman Pierji (F. Nivard), Net Money (M. Abrivard), and Naya d'Eronville (Cl. Duvaldestin) will also sport the family colors. Nocive du Choquel is drawn fifteen in the crack ranking, suggesting the betting market remains wide open.

The Critérium des 4 ans brings together the 'M' generation. Prominent contenders such as Mostra de Banville, Milton du Noyer, Mistral du Goutier, and Mellow Speed feature among the probable starters. Last year, Mack de Blary, driven by Théo Duvaldestin for trainer Thierry, took the honors in the Critérium des 3 ans. The definitive field for the four-year-olds will be confirmed by Le Trot in the days leading up to the meeting.

In the Critérium des 5 ans, the horses from the 'L' generation lock horns, and this is where the household names run deepest. Lovino Bello (J. Robert), who claimed the Critérium des 3 ans in 2024 with Eric Raffin in the bike, returns to Vincennes chasing another generational crown. Liza Josselyn, who made a triumphant return to action earlier this campaign, is another leading fancy. Lord du Bassin, who caught the eye during the prep races under Alexandre Abrivard, is equally impossible to dismiss from calculations. The clash in this age group promises elite-level drama with several contenders holding genuine claims to the division throne.

The Critériums represent the pinnacle of the classic season at Vincennes, where past winners have gone on to conquer the international stage. Post time for the opener is set for 12:24, with the Critérium des 3 ans scheduled to go off at 15:55.