Saint-Léger des Trotteurs: The Group 1 at Caen
The Saint-Léger des Trotteurs is one of the biggest monté races outside of Vincennes and the only group 1 race held on a right-handed track. Created in 1878, it predates all the other group 1 races in France. Moved from spring to October, it’s no longer the first test under saddle, but it still holds its status.
Historically, it’s a race where outsiders can take victory and where many competitors make mistakes, mainly due to the race attracting young and inexperienced horses. Even big favorites can underperform.
The race is scheduled for 16:25 on Saturday.
Ninja de l’Envol won the first group 1 race under saddle, the Prix d’Essai. He’ll try to repeat here and hasn’t finished outside the top two in a monté race. He also seems to have been preparing for this race. Racing at Caen is not a problem.
Nickel de Baille has been racing in regular races but clearly excels under saddle, with no results outside the top three. Second in the Prix d’Essai, he will be looking for redemption here.
Nikita des Charmes performs best at Vincennes. She is unreliable but strong, as she proved with a victory in the group 2 Prix de Basly on September 11. Her trainer talks about her chances:
“She’s recovered well from her last race. Everything is in order for the moment. It’s not that she’s unwilling, it’s more that she’s trying too hard. She wants to do too much, she’s in a hurry. Tactically, we’re not going to make a plan before the race. Paul Ploquin knows what he has to do.’’
Nuevo Cash tries monté for the first time here. He belonged to the top of the generation as a two-year-old but has been struggling this season. The change in discipline can be the key. His qualities are clear, but his unreliability makes him a wildcard.
Nelson Emge and Norman Pierji also debut under saddle but have shown consistency and reliability throughout their careers. If they perform in the discipline, they’re ones to watch out for. Nocaria Jeep is among the more experienced monté horses, while rider Alexandre Abrivard is second in the monté standings. Nobel Speed comes in untried in the discipline and steps up in class. His personal bests indicate he’s capable of challenging.
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