Iroise de la Noe strikes back in Prix de France
by Thomas Hedlund
Thomas Levesque’s mare Iroise de la Noe emerged as one of the favorites for the Prix d’Amérique three weeks ago, but with top driver Eric Raffin aboard, the big race turned into a disaster early on.
Sunday’s $440,000 Prix de France (Feb. 8) therefore carried the scent of redemption for Levesque and his chestnut mare.
Connections were far from subtle in their criticism of Raffin following the Prix d’Amérique. Disappointment was understandable after the veteran reinsman made a costly early mistake, driving up into a rival’s sulky shortly after the start of the prestigious event.
This time, trainer Thomas Levesque took matters into his own hands and climbed into the bike himself.
By the first turn, Levesque had already moved three-wide, and Iroise de la Noe (Tornado Bello—Pollenza de la Noe) advanced to sit parked outside leader Epic Kronos with 900 meters to go. Turning for home, the 8-year-old mare had worn down Epic Kronos and Alexandre Abrivard.
Favorite Go On Boy (Password) tried to mount a challenge in the stretch but never managed to get on even terms. Iroise de la Noe powered clear to win in a blistering 1:51.3 mile rate over 2,100 meters, equaling Idao de Tillard’s stakes record from 2024.
But this was more than a race-record performance — it was the fastest mile rate ever recorded by a mare over the actual distance.
Under saddle, both Ina du Rib and Hanna des Molles have clocked 1:52 over 2,175 meters. In sulky competition, the previous benchmark belonged to Delia du Pommereux, who recorded 1:52.2 over 2,100 meters at Vincennes in both 2021 and 2023.
Daniel Redén had to settle for third and fourth with Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) and Epic Kronos (Muscle Hill), respectively. Francesco Zet never truly got into the race and had far too much ground to make up when the sprint developed. The plan is now to target next weekend’s 4,000-meter Prix de Paris, a race Iroise de la Noe will skip.
L’AS DESBOIS EXPLODES LATE
A late opening was all L’As Desbois and Matthieu Abrivard needed to land the $125,000 Prix Ovide Moulinet at Vincennes on Sunday.
It looked nearly impossible for L’As Desbois (Booster Winner—Doria Desbois) when he was locked in along the rail in third on the inside. Not until deep stretch did the 5-year-old finally see daylight in the semi-classic event.
Brave Liberte de Choisel (Captain Sparrow) couldn’t fend him off in the final strides but went down fighting after grinding first-over for the final 900 meters.
Favorite Lovino Bello (Village Mystic) had cover in the outer flow over the last 1,200 meters but never seriously threatened, while Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash) led for much of the way before tiring in the final 100 meters and finishing fifth. The winning time was a mile rate of 1:56 over 2,700 meters.
MAITRE JACQUES IMPRESSES FROM THE DEATH SEAT
Maitre Jacques delivered a powerhouse performance when capturing the semi-classic $125,000 Prix Ephrem Houel for 4-year-olds, winning first-over for Alexandre Abrivard in a new race record 1:52.4 mile rate over 2,100 meters.
Monzon Normand took the lead before the first turn and set a demanding tempo — the first 1,200 meters were covered in 1:22.2, with Maitre Jacques (Rolling d’Heripre—Adelie) parked on the outside.
Favorite Magic Night (Helgafell) and David Thomain launched a three-wide move with 950 meters remaining, took over in the final turn, but drifted out mid-stretch. The early exertions caught up with him, and he faded late, also surrendering ground to Midway Lady (Royal Dream) and Madrid Haufour (Real de Lou), eventually finishing fourth.
Maitre Jacques enjoyed a strong 2025 season with victories in the $220,000 Criterium des Jeunes and the semi-classic $125,000 Prix Paul Karle.
