Canadian representative Billy Davis Jr. won the Prix des Rencontres Internationales du Trotteur Français at Hippodrome de Paris-Vincennes on December 1.
Leaving from post three in the field of 15, Davis positioned his mount Orage Mauzun second over early on. The 26-year-old reinsman then waited until midway down the backstretch to tip three-wide. Davis and Orage Mauzun edged ahead around the final turn and, in a sprint to the wire, they held off the late-closing Rapide Du Bois (M. Abrivard) to win the 2,100 metre race by a nose. Odedjalo (I. Fazekas) came on for third.
"It was unreal," Davis told Trot Insider following the victory. "I was pretty calm the whole time in post parade and in the race. I thought my nerves would get the best of me. It was a very close finish and I didn't know if I won or not. Coming back to the paddock the trainer didn't have a smile on his face so I was a little disappointed, but when I looked in the infield and saw the camera was on me, I knew we held on for the win.
"It never really sunk in until I got up on the podium and they played 'O Canada' then I got really excited. Never did I ever think this would happen to me. I got to represent my nation on the international stage and I actually won."
Orage Mauzun is trained by S. Provoost and owned by Ecurie Danover.
Davis, one of Canada's leading drivers this season, was selected to represent the nation at the International Weekend of the French Trotter, which runs from November 30 to December 2 with celebrations including today's international race, luncheon and an awards dinner.
The British Columbia native who now resides in Cambridge, Ontario is enjoying a career-year in the sulky with 436 wins and over $4.7 million in purse earnings. Lifetime, he has won 1,121 races and more than $9.2 million in purses.
Please join Standardbred Canada in congratulating Davis on his victory abroad.
Junior you are the greatest.
Junior you are the greatest. What a drive. Congratulations
Larry from Abbotsford
What a bunch of savages we
What a bunch of savages we Canadians are. You go to Paris, the greatest food city in the world and go out for Chinese food?
Welcome to "The Bigs"!!
Welcome to "The Bigs"!!
Congratulations Billy, you
Congratulations Billy, you are one of the top young Drivers in Canada, you listen to everything we tell you about the horse before the race and drive acordingly, well done, see you in the spring, Keith Simpson.
Congrats Billy Davis Jr. in
Congrats Billy Davis Jr. in winning the International Trot in France with Orage Mauzun. Pleasure to have watched ! Robert Hemsworth
Well done Billy - your a
Well done Billy - your a credit to your Mom and Dad - opps - forgot Gramma!
We wish you continued success! HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas and a very exciting New Year!! Tim and Gloria.
Hi Bill again, The trotter
Hi Bill again,
The trotter that you beat by a nose is a 7 years old horse, yours was a 10 years old gelding.
Out ot the 6 newspapers on the races, your were favorite by 2 and 3 for second, the purse for a rare claiming race was +-$28,000. purse to the winner app. $14,000.
The no 9, finishing second by a nose was claimed, after the race( they always claim after the race for app. $44,000
How much yould you pay for your little cadillac ( original base price before the race was app. $34,000.. they bid after the race for the horse they want to claim) to race in Ontario ? The horse cannot race in France after january 1 2013.
Guess, anand I will tell you after.
richard
BRAVO Billy. You understood
BRAVO Billy.
You understood how to race in France.
The trainer did show you how to use the line for the hood and swedish briddle otherwise it hould have been a victory by ten lenghts.
No pole but the horse was going . In France you dont see head pole, .
I also read that you do not like the food there. Next time, put in your contract, Macdonald and a B.C. poutine.
I wish you many trips over there.you gone be succesfull.
It definately has a different
It definately has a different appeal over there
Proud to be Canadian today
Thank you Billy Davis Jr.
All around driver! Jon
All around driver!
Jon
Congratulations from the west
Congratulations from the west coast. Nice to see you do very good,keep on going.
Congratulations Billy, a
Congratulations Billy, a great drive and you have made us all proud. You are a very fitting representative for the young people in our sport. Hope you enjoyed the experience.
Congratulations Billy!! And
Congratulations Billy!! And thanks for doing Canada proud.
What an exciting race! Edward
What an exciting race!
Edward (Ted) Wilson
Congratulation Billy! A well
Congratulation Billy! A well deeserved victory !