December 22, 2015 – The Quinte+ was the Prix de la Tramblade (purse €66,000, 2700 meters, 16 European starters) and the 1.14kr winner was 19.1/1 Tabrouk de Payre (8g Meaulnes du Corta-Oreade de Payre) owned and trained by J-Y Touillet and driven by Pierre Vercruysse. 3/1 Un de Mai (7g Echo-Loyale) was second for teamster Franck Nivard, trainer Emmanuel Ruault and owner Ecurie Comte P de Montesson. 17.1/1 odds Midsummer King (10g King Lavec-Pietra) was third with Junior Guelpa up for owner J-Ch Sorel.
Akayama (5f Prodigious-Hirosaka) took the Prix de Marenees-Oleron (purse €64,000, 2700 meters 11 European starters) timed in 1.13.9kr for David Thomain and trainer Alain Roussel. This 1.3/1 odds favorite defeated 4.2/1 Ninepoints Lucy (5f Spotlite Lobell-Lucky Kelly) driven by Gabriel Gelormini for trainer Jorgen Westholm and owner Bengt Johansson. Third was 18.3/1 outsider Aigrette (5f Vivaldi de Chenu-Jomina).
On December 22 at Paris-Vincennes the €85,000 purse Prix Pierre Giffard (2700 meters, 13 European monte starters) went to 4.1/1 Tayson de Houelle (8g Insert Gede-Irina de la Frette) for jockey Eric Raffin, trainer Franck Leblanc and Ecurie Pricing Power. 1.8/1 favorite Ugolin du Maine (7g Hugo du Bossis-Oriane du Maine) was a close second for Franck Nivard ahead of the outdistanced 12.9/1 Topaze Royale (8f Light Up de Vonnas-Lea Royale) for trainer/driver Mathieu Abrivard. The winner was clocked in 1.13.5kr.
The Prix de la Reole (purse €35,000, 2700 meters, 16 monte performers) at Paris Vincennes went to the 1.1/1 favorite Canadian d’Am (3m Ready Cash-Kanadia) reined by Franck Nivard for Franck Leblanc training for Laurent Edin. 23.6/1 Codrag de Bellouet (3g Jag de Bellouet-Odra de Bellouet) was next for jockey Alexandre Abrivard and trainer L.Cl. Abrivard. 4.2/1 Camarade Sympa (3g Legs du Clos-Mona du Vivier) ended third for David Thomain.
The Prix des Hortensias, groupe A, for a purse of €34,000 over 2700 meters, drew 14 two year-old fillies with the 1.17.2kr winner being 2.1/1 odds Dokha Vedaquaise (2f Prodigious-Sestriere). Yoann Lebourgeois drove this winner for Philippe Allaire. 4.1/1 Duchesse de Jiel (2f Oiseau de Feux-Quilea Jiel) was second for Mathieu Abrivard and trainer J.L. Dersoir. Third was 11.6/1 Danae Quesnot (2f Rocklyn-Megara) teamed with Eric Raffin.
Draft Life (2f Ubriaco-Maflymede) at 3.8/1 odds took the Prix des Hortensias (B) for teamster C. Beurel and owner/trainer Louis Baudron. 13 two year-olds traveled 2700 meters in this event for a purse of €34,000. Draft Life was timed in 1.16.7kr to defeat 17.8/1 Douchka Love (2f Love You-Shucca) handled by Bernard Piton for Yves Boireau trainer for Jean-Pierre Dubois. 26.7/1 Decadence (2f Invar-My Lady Way) was third for driver/trainer/owner Tony Le Beller.
At Bordeaux-Le Bouscat the Grand Prix de Noel (purse €30,000, 2650 meters, 16 European starters) was won by 29.9/1 Topaze de Landerie (8f Legs du Clos-Onee Line) for driver J-Ph Monclin. 1.6/1 favorite Vivaldo Bello (6m Love You-Enfilade) was second for trainer/driver Thierry Duvaldestin (this one from the dam of Offshore Dream, Prix d’Amerique double winner) and 6.8/1 Ursa Major (7f Ganymede-Good Way) landed third for owner Ecurie Danover. The winner was clocked in a solid 1.14.1kr.
Thomas H. Hicks