Franck Nivard enters into trotting legend as outsider Hokkaido Jiel propels driver to sixth Prix d'Amerique victory

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Franck Nivard entered rarefied territory among the top trotting drivers when he landed a sixth victory in the Prix d'Amerique at Vincennes, threading the eye of the needle to get outsider Hokkaido Jiel home at 36-1. 

In a frantic finish, Hokkaido Jiel thrust late up the very inside to deny the two market leaders, Josh Power and Epic Kronos, while Frank Gio flew late down the outside for fourth.

The Amerique carries the sobriquet of ‘Legend Race’, and Nivard certainly deserves the accolade, having been associated with Ready Cash and his son Bold Eagle, arguably the two most famous trotters of the 21st century. He now stands two shy of the all-time record of eight wins. 

After travelling comfortably in the centre of the field, Nivard dived to the inside in the home straight, and as Go On Boy broke stride at a crucial moment, Hokkaido Jiel made his dash for immortality. 

"It’s extraordinary,” said Nivard. “We got a great start and I couldn’t have gone through the race any better. 

“It was a bit of a risk to go up the inside but it seemed there was more space there. Passing the post I wasn’t sure I had won, I knew the cavalry was coming down the outside.”

Nivard was only confirmed as the driver for Hokkaido six days before the biggest race in trotting.

“I’ve been very lucky in this race to be associated with some extraordinary horses but today, not driving one of the hot favourites, I felt no pressure," said the 46-year-old. 

“His trainer told me he was in great form and he was right. He’s a cool horse and I’m delighted for his owners, who have been trying to win this race for more than 40 years.”

For veteran trainer Jean-Luc Dersoir, Hokkaido Jiel has been a long-term project. 

"To win the Prix d'Amerique, is the reward for a lot of work, not only mine but by the whole team, as well as a lot of investment on the part of the owner," said Dersoir, moments after being congratulated by another French racing legend, jockey-turned-trainer Gerald Mosse. 

Gerald Mosse (right) congratulates winning trainer Jean-Luc DersoirCredit: Racing Post/Burton

“This horse used to be quite tricky at the start and often got himself in a bad spot during a race. But he has made a lot of progress and although I couldn’t say he was an obvious winner beforehand, I knew he was getting better all the time."

Dersoir added: “I watched the race on a small screen next to the weighing room with my children and honestly, I didn’t have the greatest view, especially because the rain made identifying the colours tricky.

“I could see Franck had gone to the inside, but my daughter thought we’d won and it’s super, a real consecration.”

If the colours and flags carried by the drenched crowd at Vincennes were anything to go by then Prix de la Belgique winner Iroise De La Noe carried huge support.

But the journey up from La Manche proved a frustrating one, with the mare disqualified barely five seconds after the start. 

Many of the principals will return to do battle again in one or both of the Prix de France (February 8) or the Prix de Paris (February 22).

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