Ireland's Jonathan Cowden made his first start at Hippodrome Paris Vincennes one to remember, winning the 2024 Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français on Friday, Nov. 29 aboard Gassman D'Essa.

Leaving from post three in the 2,100 metre event, Cowden landed Gassman D'Essa on top early before yielding to Feria De Ligny and Serbia's Branko Skenderovic. The Serbian's lead was short-lived, however, as Garnement Bleu took over for Spanish driver Mateo Riera Bennasar.

As favoured Glorioso Bello started to advance on the outside for French reinsman Benjamin Rouchard, Cowden vacated his pylon position and started  to slowly stalk first up. Skenderovic didn't like the idea of sitting pocket and being locked in, so he slid Feria De Ligny to the outside from the two hole to force Cowden three-wide with Gassman D'Essa. 

Once the field hit the head of the spacious Vincennes stretch, horses fanned out five and six across to target the temposetter. Garnement Bleu waved le drapeau blanc (the white flag) as Cowden hit the accelerator on Gassman D'Essa, who sprinted away for the 1-1/2 length score. Glorioso Bello had good late kick once tipping off Cowden's helmet, but the 6/5 favourite could only manage a runner-up score. Second choice If I Tell You, driven by Jiri Svoboda closed well for the show spot.

Filou de Berger, driven by Canada's Doug McNair, was sent postward as the longest shot on the board at 95-1 odds. He broke shortly after the start and was disqualified.

The win for Gassman D'Essa, an eight-year-old son of French sire Quido du Goutier, was his first in 10 starts this year and just his fifth in 75 career appearances. Cowden was making his first start at Vincennes after three previous French racing appearances at Argentan.

A replay of the race is available here.

(Standardbred Canada)