French trotter Idao de Tillard continued his winning ways in the 2024 Prix d'Amérique, with the prestigious Group 1 stakes event marking his seventh straight victory on Sunday, Jan. 28 at Hippodrome Paris-Vincennes in France. The race carried a purse of €1,000,000 (approximately $1.46 million CAD).

Driven by Clément Duvaldestin and trained by Thierry Duvaldestin, Idao de Tillard was the favourite entering the Prix d'Amérique on a win streak that included his last-out score in the Prix Ténor de Baune qualifier on Christmas Eve.

Hail Mary (Eric Raffin) set out for the lead early on in the 2,700-metre race with the former North American Breeders Crown champion mare Joviality S (Björn Goop) tracking in the pocket spot ahead of the bulky field of 18 trotters. Idao de Tillard and Izoard Vedaquais (Benjamin Rochard) emerged on the outside to challenge mid-race, with the latter unable to sustain his wide bid. But Idao de Tillard pressed on as the trotters turned into the stretch, pulling ahead to score the victory with Hokkaido Jiel (David Thomain) and Joviality S rallying inside to complete the top three and Go On Boy (Romain Derieux) just missing with a late surge from the back.

A six-year-old son of Severino out of America de Tillard, Idao de Tillard made amends for his miscue in last year's edition and has now won 28 of his 38 races lifetime for owner Cyril Sevestre. 

Defending champion Hooker Berry (Nicolas Bazire) finished sixth.

(Standardbred Canada)