In a stunning turn of events, Hokkaido Jiel triumphed in the exhilarating 2026 Prix d'Amérique, held on Sunday, January 25, at the renowned Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes in France. This remarkable victory was not just another race; it marked a significant upset in the storied history of this prestigious event.
Under the skilled training of Jean Luc Dersoir and with Franck Nivard steering the reins, Hokkaido Jiel defied the odds as a 37-1 long shot. It was a muddy track that set the stage for the 105th edition of this Group 1 stakes race, where fierce competition filled the air. Josh Power, driven by Sébastien Ernault, took second place, while Epic Kronos, an offspring of the famed Muscle Hill and piloted by Paul Philippe Ploquin, narrowly secured third, edging out both Frank Gio, handled by Matthieu Abrivard, and Harmony du Rabutin, driven by David Bekaert.
The race itself was a thrilling spectacle, featuring numerous lead changes over its 2,700-meter distance. As the race approached its final 1,000 meters, Go On Boy, the champion of Elitloppet, and Josh Power, the victor of Prix de Bretagne, emerged as the frontrunners among the 18 elite European trotters. They engaged in a fierce battle down the stretch, captivating the audience.
However, the drama unfolded when Go On Boy, in his fourth attempt at the Prix d'Amérique, unfortunately broke stride, allowing Hokkaido Jiel—who had initially settled in seventh position and found himself shuffled back to eleventh at one point—to surge forward. Taking advantage of a ground-saving trip, Hokkaido Jiel made a bold move inside Josh Power, ultimately claiming victory against both that rival and other closing competitors.
Bred and owned by Ecurie Luck, this impressive nine-year-old stallion, a millionaire with lineage tracing back to Brillantissime and Victory Jiel (who had been a runner-up in the 2024 Prix d'Amérique), has now celebrated 12 wins out of 74 career outings.
This win was particularly momentous for trainer Jean Luc Dersoir, marking his inaugural triumph in the Prix d'Amérique. Meanwhile, driver Franck Nivard celebrated his sixth victory in this illustrious race. Nivard first tasted success in 2009 with Meaulnes du Corta and achieved back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017 with Bold Eagle, having earlier won consecutive titles in 2011 and 2012 with Ready Cash, the sire of Bold Eagle.
The race featured a substantial purse of €1,000,000 (approximately $1,620,250 CAD), emphasizing its significance in the trotting world.
For those interested in the race results and a replay of this nail-biting finish, you can find more information here: Race Results Chart and Replay.
(Standardbred Canada)
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