Magic Man strikes late at Vincennes
by Thomas Hedlund
Magic Man unleashed a powerful late kick to capture the $125,000 Prix Jules Thibault for 4-year-olds at Vincennes on Saturday (June 6). Driven by Eric Raffin, the Etienne Dubois trainee sat third along the rail before finding clear racing room at the top of the stretch. Longtime leader Mentor de Play fought gamely but could not withstand the winner’s late surge.
Magic Man (Prodigious—Garden Party) scored in a mile rate of 1:55.4 over 2,700 meters, with Mentor de Play (Dahlia du Rib) finishing second in the same time. Mack de Blary (Face Time Bourbon) was third in 1:55.
LANCIER DU GOUTIER BACK IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
The $125,000 Prix Jean Le Gonidec for 5-year-olds went to Lancier du Goutier after a perfect pocket trip behind pacesetter Louis Vuitton Mijo.
Clément Duvaldestin angled the son of Ready Cash into the clear at the head of the stretch and the Thierry Duvaldestin trainee surged past late to win comfortably in 1:52.1 over 2,175 meters. Strong-closing Liberté de Choisel (Captain Sparrow) finished second in the same time, while Louis Vuitton Mijo (Dollar Macker) held on well for third in 1:52.3.
It was the first victory of the season in four starts for Lancier du Goutier, whose résumé already includes a runner-up finish in the semi-classic Prix Robert Auvray. Last year he captured both the $330,000 Critérium des 4 Ans and the $125,000 Prix Jules Thibault.
IBIKI DE HOUELLE DOMINATES PRIX CHAMBON P
Ibiki de Houelle delivered an eye-catching performance for Alexis Collette in the $125,000 Prix Chambon P for older horses.
Collette made a key tactical move by relinquishing the lead to Koctel du Dain with 2,100 meters remaining before pulling from the pocket and moving first-over 800 meters from the finish.
After grinding down the leader entering the final turn, Ibiki de Houelle (Love You—Sawade de Houelle) powered away impressively and was strongly urged through the wire while setting a new race record of 1:54.3 over 2,850 meters.
Horchestro (Sam Bourbon) finished second, while Koctel du Dain (Boccador de Simm) held third.
MADRID HAUFOR CONTINUES WINNING STREAK
Madrid Haufor and Damien Bonne swept to the lead 800 meters from home and held off all challengers in the $125,000 Prix Guy Le Gonidec for 4-year-old fillies.
The daughter of Real de Lou—Bastia Haufor stopped the clock in 1:56.3 over 2,700 meters, defeating Mystery Queen (Prodigious) and Midway Lady (Royal Dream).
Trained by Christian Bigeon, Madrid Haufor recorded her second consecutive semi-classic victory following her triumph in the Prix de Tonnac-Villeneuve. It was also her first victory of the 2026 season.
BORUPS VICTORY HEADS OSLO GRAND PRIX
Daniel Wäjersten holds a strong hand heading into Sunday’s (June 14) $212,000 Oslo Grand Prix at Bjerke.
His stable star Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) narrowly missed qualifying for the Elitlopp final but now returns as the likely favorite from post 2 behind the gate.
Wäjersten will also send out Kuiper (Face Time Bourbon), while Daniel Redén fields both Epic Kronos (Muscle Hill) and defending Oslo Grand Prix champion Kentucky River (Father Patrick).
OSLO GRAND PRIX — 2,100 METERS (AUTO START)
1. Harley Gema (Bold Eagle) — Björn Goop
2. Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) — Daniel Wäjersten
3. Baron Tilly (Ready Cash) — Carl Johan Jepson
4. Epic Kronos (Muscle Hill) — Örjan Kihlström
5. Kentucky River (Father Patrick) — Rikard N. Skoglund
6. Get A Wish (Wishing Stone) — Robert Bergh
7. Powwow (Papagayo E.) — Lars Anvar Kolle
8. Y Not Diamant (Odessa Santana) — Robin Bakker
9. Eldorado Jet (Twister Bi) — Magnus A. Djuse
10. Kuiper (Face Time Bourbon) — Mats E. Djuse
GOCCIADORO DOMINATES AT SAN SIRO
Alessandro Gocciadoro opened Thursday’s (June 4) card at San Siro in Milan with three consecutive victories, highlighted by Guglielmo Jet’s triumph in the Group 1 $180,000 Gran Premio Tino Triossi. After taking over the lead without resistance after 600 meters, Guglielmo Jet (Maharajah—Nagasaki Jet) controlled the race from there and sprinted away entering the stretch to score in 1:56.2 over 2,100 meters.
The victory was his second Group 1 success of the season following the $220,000 Anact Stakes Plus+ in Turin. His résumé also includes victories in the Gran Premio Carlo Marangoni and the prestigious Prix Charles Tiercelin at Vincennes.
INGRID AM SHINES AMONG THE FILLIES
Antonio Di Nardo guided Ingrid Am (El Ideal—Connemara As) to victory in the $75,000 Gran Premio Nazionale Filly.
Allowed to take over the lead after 500 meters, Ingrid Am controlled the race throughout and successfully held off late challenges from both Ice Killer Gar and I Love America, winning in 1:56.2.
Ice Wise As (Calgary Games—Temple Blue Chip) captured the $25,000 Anact Stakes for 3-year-old fillies from the front, drawing away effortlessly in 2:01 over 2,100 meters. She is a half-sister to an exceptional group of performers including:
• Vivid Wise As – €3.5 million winner
• Far Wise As – €340,703
• All Wise As – €255,389
• Crown Wise As – €153,444
IL TRIO JET UPSETS IDEAL TURDANCE
The heavily favored Ideal Turdance saw his bid for a seventh consecutive victory come to an end in the $180,000 Gran Premio Nazionale for 3-year-olds. Both the winner and runner-up were trained by Alessandro Gocciadoro.
Il Trio Jet (Wishing Stone—Troika Jet) blasted to the lead entering the first turn and Santo Mollo successfully defended against repeated challenges from Ideal Turdance.
Forced to race first-over throughout, Ideal Turdance could never get by the leader. After moderate fractions up front, Il Trio Jet sprinted clear in the stretch to win decisively in 1:59.1 over 2,100 meters.
ÖNAS PRINCE RETIRED
One of Scandinavia’s most beloved stars is calling it a career.
Önas Prince (Chocolatier), trained by Per Nordström, has been among Europe›s elite performers for the past four to five seasons following an outstanding juvenile and classic campaign.
The 9-year-old was runner-up to Francesco Zet in the Paralympiatravet final in early May, but Per Nordström announced via social media that the fan favorite has made his final start.
“Sometimes life doesn’t write the ending we hoped for,” he said. “After another setback, it is now clear that Önas Prince has most likely raced for the last time. If that truly was your final race, you leave the racetrack with your head held high. Not only as a fantastic racehorse, but as a true warrior who won our hearts forever. Thank you for every mile, every victory, every comeback, and every unforgettable moment.”
MIDNIGHT SUN RACING IN BODEN
Mid-June traditionally means one thing in northern Sweden: the $200,000 Norrbottens Stora Pris, run beneath the midnight sun at Boden Racetrack.
A strong field has assembled, headed by defending champion Gio Cash (Victor Gio), who returns as one of the leading contenders. Daniel Wäjersten will drive Gio Cash himself after Dexter Dunn guided him through the Elitlopp campaign. Wäjersten also sends out Mellby Jinx (Ready Cash).
The post-position draw favored Francesco Zet (Father Patrick), who landed post 5. The Daniel Redén-trained star won this race in both 2023 and 2024 and enters off a commanding victory in the Paralympiatravet final.
Elitloppet fourth-place finisher Jobspost (Readly Express), fresh off a career-best 1:48.4 mile mark, returns for another crack at the elite level with Björn Goop back in the sulky.
NORRBOTTENS STORA PRIS — 2,140 METERS (AUTO START)
1. H.C.’s Crazy Horse — Magnus A. Djuse
2. Kingen Mearas — Ulf Ohlsson
3. Makalu Doc — Rikard N. Skoglund
4. Castor The Star — Mika Forss
5. Francesco Zet — Örjan Kihlström
6. Laredo Boko — Sandra Eriksson
7. Mellby Jinx — Mats E. Djuse
8. Gio Cash — Daniel Wäjersten
9. Jobspost — Björn Goop
10. Jerka Sting — Claes Sjöström
