Liza Josselyn sets world record in Prix Marcel Laurent
by Thomas Hedlund
Both her sire and dam captured the Prix d’Amérique, and now their daughter is following in royal hoofprints. On Thursday (Nov. 6) at Vincennes, Liza Josselyn — the 4-year-old mare by Ready Cash out of Belina Josselyn — toyed with older male rivals in the $132,000 Prix Marcel Laurent, stopping the clock in a world-record mile rate of 1:52.3 for 2,100 meters.
The feature event of the evening, restricted to 4- and 5-year-olds, carried a winner’s purse of $59,000 USD and quickly turned into a family affair for the Bazires.
Jean-Michel Bazire, driving for his son Nicolas, sent Liza Josselyn sharply away before yielding to Executive Ek (Face Time Bourbon), trained by Alessandro Gocciadoro, who had been the quickest off the wings. After 600 meters, Koctel du Dain (Boccador de Simm) swept past to take command with David Thomain in the bike.
The pace was honest throughout, with Liza Josselyn sitting perfectly poised in the pocket while East Asia (Ready Cash) — also from Gocciadoro’s barn — was parked outside the leader for Björn Goop.
With 700 meters to go, Falco Killer Gar tried a three-wide surge for Clément Duvaldestin, but his bid ended in a break at the top of the stretch. That left the stage to the leaders — and Liza Josselyn was simply irresistible.
Bazire pulled her out 200 meters from home, and the mare exploded — gliding past Koctel du Dain with effortless acceleration to an easy win. Executive Ek held well for third, while East Asia faded late after a tough trip.
The official mile rate time of 1:52.3 shattered the previous world record for 4-year-old mares over the distance. Koctel du Dain matched the same time in second, and Executive Ek clocked 1:52.4 for third.
“She’s got her father’s speed and her mother’s heart,” Jean-Michel Bazire said with a smile after the race. “It’s a rare combination — she’s something very special.”
With a pedigree fit for royalty and the talent to match, Liza Josselyn announced herself as France’s next great mare — and perhaps the future queen of Vincennes.
