Two-time Prix d’Amérique champion Idao de Tillard suffers colic, undergoes surgery
by Thomas Hedlund
A major shock hit French trotting on Monday morning (Nov. 17) when Idao de Tillard, the two-time back-to-back winner of the Prix d’Amérique, was struck by a severe colic episode and required emergency surgery.
Trainer Thierry Duvaldestin confirmed the news to French media Paris-Turf Tuesday (Nov. 18) afternoon.
“Idao developed colic early Monday (Nov. 17),” Duvaldestin said. “He was transported to Livet and the team there deserves enormous credit. He underwent surgery in the afternoon for what’s known as a nephrosplenic entrapment. He came out of anesthesia well this morning. He’s out of immediate danger, but there’s no way to estimate the length of his recovery.”
The timing could not be worse. Idao de Tillard was scheduled to kick off his winter-meeting campaign in the Prix du Bourbonnais on Dec. 7, the first step toward a historic attempt at a Prix d’Amérique triple. That possibility is now uncertain and most probably he’s out of the game regarding the Prix d’Amérique.
Idao de Tillard has faced physical setbacks before. He was sidelined for eight months last season after a right-hock sprain that forced him out of the final stages of the 2024-25 winter meeting. And while preparing for last year’s Prix d’Amérique double, he tested positive for leptospirosis following a subpar effort in the Prix du Bourbonnais. He still rebounded in brilliant fashion, winning the Prix de Bourgogne — the fifth qualifying race for the Prix d’Amerique — then defending his crown in the 2025 Prix d’Amérique.
SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCES IN SWEDEN’S BREEDERS CROWN FINALS
The Swedish Breeders Crown finals for 3- and 4-year-olds were contested Saturday (Nov. 15) at Eskilstuna’s Sundbyholm Raceway, producing a showcase of top-class performances and thrilling finishes.
3-YEAR-OLD FILLIES — $240,000 FINAL (2,140 METERS)
It was a duel for the ages between two of the division’s best — and both delivered spectacularly. Kobra Brick (Readly Express, driver Mika Forss) and Bonsse Garde (Makethemark, Carl Johan Jepson) left the gate in full flight, with Bonsse Garde first to the lead. Forss wasted little time pulling from the pocket, attacking the leader down the backstretch in a blistering pace. The pair drew far clear of the rest of the field that began to wilt — even Gourmet d’Arc (Six Pack), who had been sitting second-over, threw in the towel with a quarter to go. Down the lane, the two warriors battled stride-for-stride, with neither giving an inch. But Kobra Brick proved the stronger late, edging away to win in a mile rate of 1:55.1 for trainer Petri Salmela.
“We had a plan already this spring — she was ready early, but it’s not easy to stay sharp all season,” Forss said. “We’ve felt she was coming back to top form. I think she’s the best filly I’ve ever driven.”
3-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND GELDINGS — $240,000 FINAL (2,140 METERS)
After finishing runner-up to Omega River in the Swedish Kriterium, Perfect Chest (Perfect Spirit) finally had his day in the sun, winning the Breeders Crown for colts and geldings for trainer Daniel Redén and driver Örjan Kihlström. Knoxville (Nuncio) took early command for Magnus A. Djuse, while Kihlström maneuvered Perfect Chest into the first-over position after a half-mile. Robert Bergh moved Valla d’Gaagaa (Googoo Gaagaa) up to challenge, creating a demanding tempo. With a lap remaining, Kihlström tipped out again, launching a steady grind that carried him past the leaders in the final strides. Recycle Cash (Ready Cash) came flying late to make it close, but Perfect Chest held on gamely to win in a mile rate of 1:56.2. Knoxville saved third.
“He really had to fight,” Kihlström said. “It was a long, tough last lap, but he was strong all the way.”
4-YEAR-OLD MARES — $320,000 FINAL (2,140 METERS)
Heavy favorite La Yuca (Face Time Bourbon, trainer Daniel Redén, driver Örjan Kihlström) lived up to expectations, powering to victory despite racing first-over throughout. After a soft early tempo, S.G. Empress (Readly Express) controlled the pace with Elegance Silvio in the pocket and La Yuca parked in the breeze. With a half-mile to go, Kihlström asked his mare to accelerate — and she simply exploded. The burst of speed proved too much for S.G. Empress, who made a break in the final turn. La Yuca opened daylight and cruised to a dominant win in a mile rate of 1:56, with stablemate Undinia (Northern Charm) holding second and Lilium Sisu (Face Time Bourbon) taking third. The Redén stable earned nearly $225,000 from the race, pushing his stable’s annual total over $4.5 million USD, a new Swedish record.
“She has amazing technique and attitude,” Kihlström said. “She could already compete with the top older mares, but after another winter of training, she’ll be even better.”
4-YEAR-OLD COLTS AND GELDINGS — $320,000 FINAL (2,140 METERS)
Three breaks in the warm-up nearly cost him the race — but when it counted, Dream Mine (Maharajah—Your Dreamgirl) once again rose to the occasion. The Swedish Derby and European Derby champion, trained by Jörgen Westholm, overcame a chaotic build-up and captured the 4-year-old Breeders Crown for driver Mats E. Djuse, who just returned from his World Driving Championship stint in New Zealand. Before Takeoff (Nuncio) blasted to the front early, while Bullet The Bluesky (Readly Express) and Dream Mine sat midpack. When Izod Zet (Propulsion) moved up in the death seat, Bullet The Bluesky was forced three-wide, losing ground. Djuse followed that move and, turning for home, tipped Dream Mine even wider. The powerful bay colt surged down the stretch, wearing down the leaders and securing another big-race win in a mile rate of 1:55. Before Takeoff held second, with Izod Zet third.
“It was dramatic before the start and during the race, but he just keeps answering every challenge,” Djuse said. “It feels great to win again — my first since coming home.”
JOSH POWER SHOCKS PRIX DE BRETAGNE — BECOMES FIRST QUALIFIED FOR THE 2026 PRIX D’AMÉRIQUE
The road to the 2026 Prix d’Amérique officially began Sunday afternoon (Nov. 16) at Vincennes, and the opening B-race, the $125,000 Prix de Bretagne, produced a powerhouse performance from Josh Power (Offshore Dream—Balginette), a horse who already finished fourth in this year’s Prix d’Amérique, but may now be even better. Driver Sébastien Ernault moved early, taking the death seat with 800 meters left, and the 6-year-old simply broke the race open. Leader Just Love You had no answer when Josh Power surged past 400 meters from the wire, and even odds-on favorite Jushua Tree (Bold Eagle) — perfectly placed in the pocket — could not make a dent in the winner’s momentum. Josh Power powered clear to win in a mile rate of 1:54.3, a new race record, breaking Face Time Bourbon’s mark of 1:55 set in 2021 (and equaled by Hussard du Landret last year).
Jushua Tree held second in 1:55 as did Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) in third. The biggest surprise came in fourth: longshot J’Aime le Foot (Boccador de Simm), who now becomes the fourth horse officially qualified for the Prix d’Amérique final. Josh Power’s credentials grow by the month. He won the $330,000 Criterium des 5 Ans last year, $125,000 Prix du Bourbonnais, and $330,000 Criterium des 4 Ans as a 4-year-old. His dam Balginette is also the mother of Elitloppet champion Go On Boy, earner of €2.6 million.
PRIX D’AMÉRIQUE QUALIFIERS
The top four in each race earn automatic entry, except for the Criterium Continental and Prix Tenor de Baune, where the winners only will get tickets for Prix d’Amérique.
Nov. 16 — $125,000 Prix de Bretagne — 2,700 meters
• Qualified: Josh Power, Jushua Tree, Borups Victory, J’Aime le Foot
Dec. 7 — $125,000 Prix du Bourbonnais — 2,850 meters
Dec. 21 — $250,000 Criterium Continental — 2,100 meters
Dec. 21 — $250,000 Prix Tenor de Baune — 2,700 meters
Dec. 28 — $125,000 Prix du Bourgogne — 2,100 meters
Jan. 11 — $125,000 Prix de Belgique — 2,850 meters
GINOSTRABLIGGI TOO STRONG IN $120,000 PRIX PIERRE PLAZEN
Sunday’s card at Vincennes also featured major stakes for 3-year-olds, and Philippe Allaire once again stamped his authority on the French classics.
Fresh off sweeping the elimination and final of the $260,000 Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli, Italian sensation Ginostrabliggi (Muscle Hill) took another Group victory — this time grinding down heavy favorite Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon) in the Prix Pierre Plazen for 3-year-old colts. Driver Gabriele Gelormini moved from second-over to the death seat with 700 meters left, and despite Mack de Blary controlling the pace, it was Ginostrabliggi who had all the answers late. He drove past with authority to win in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 2,700 meters. Mack de Blary held second, with Magnum du Choquel (Hohneck) closing for third.
Allaire trained Ginostrabliggi now counts among his Group 1 wins, the $165,000 Gran Premio Nazionale, $165,000 Gran Premio Tito Giovanardi, $220,000 Anact Stakes Plus, and $195,000 Gran Premio Allevatori.
MAGIC NIGHT PREVAILS IN $120,000 PRIX GUY DELOSION
The filly division saw another Allaire star shine as Magic Night (Helgafell—Byblis du Goutier) fought off strong challenges to capture the Prix Guy Delosion for 3-year-old fillies.
Driver Paul-Philippe Ploquin tried to control the pace, but Madrid Haufor (Real de Lou) and Mille Etoiles (Prodigious) launched serious bids in the stretch. Magic Night dug in gamely to score in a mile rate of 1:57.4 over 2,700 meters. Magic Night has now won the $125,000 Prix Uranie, $140,000 Criterium des Pouliches, $125,000 Prix de Masina, $125,000 Prix Reine du Corta, $50,000 Prix Alcyone, and $35,000 Prix de Selestat. She was also first past the post in the Criterium des 3 Ans, but was demoted to second for interference.
IZOARD BLUE GRIF TAKES ANACT STAKES PLUS FINAL; IFINOE DEGLI DEI DOMINANT IN FILLY DIVISION
The $220,000 Anact Stakes Plus+ finals at Agnano, Naples, produced two sharp winners on Sunday (Nov. 16), with victories by a Readly Express colt and a powerhouse filly by The Bank. Izoard Blue Grif (Readly Express—Mariongotchocolate) continued his rise in Italy’s 2-year-old ranks, controlling the Group 1 final from the start and refusing to let anyone by. Driver Andrea Guzzinati stacked the field behind him, then sprinted clear enough late to withstand a huge late charge from Il Trio Jet (Wishing Stone). Itan Pal Ferm (The Bank) sat locked in the pocket throughout and never found racing room, finishing a frustrated third. Winning time for Izoard Blue Grif was 1:58.3. Trained by Christian Rizzo, Izoard Blue Grif has now won three straight and has three wins and a second in four career starts. He also won his €20,900 elimination leading into the final.
The filly final delivered a dominant winner as Ifinoe Degli Dei (The Bank—Natalina Dei) overpowered the field with a long, sustained grind. Driver Enrico Bellei moved first-over with 900 meters remaining and simply wore down pacesetter In Scream Gio (Gimpanzee), taking control inside the final 100 meters. Irenel Mail (Nad al Sheba) finished third, while previously unbeaten I Love America (Muscle Hill) had a perfect trip — pocket, then second-over — but had no punch late and had to settle for fourth. It was a mile rate of 1:59.3 for winner Ifinoe Degli Dei. Trained by Gennaro Casillo, Ifinoe Degli Dei earned her second win in four starts. She was runner-up in her elimination and clearly peaked when it mattered most.
