Monté i fokus på Vincennes

Saturday, December 14 will be all about monté at Vincennes. The program features several outstanding races, including three group 1 events. Two of them offer direct priority toward major targets such as the Prix de Cornulier. Below, we take a closer look at the three group 1 races.

Race 3 – Prix de Vincennes

A group 1 race for three-year-olds over 2700m. The Prix de Vincennes is the monté equivalent of the Critérium des 3 Ans. This is where the best of the generation meet under saddle to determine the leader of the generation.

Meteore de Simm

The established leader so far this season. Winner of multiple group races this season, including the group 1 Prix d’Essai* on June 22. He sharpened up in the Prix Pierre Plazen on November 16 (in a regular race against Ginostrabliggi and Mack de Blary), where he finished sixth. With a green emoji, all signals point in the right direction. The reigning leader of the generation aims to defend that status. Trainer Mathieu Mottier talked to Letrot: "That's his goal. He's a top horse. It will have to go well, but normally, he should be fighting for the top spots."

Manitas de Truchon

The most recent group winner in this field. Equipped with a French hood for the first time in the Prix Raoul Ballière on November 29, she found an extra gear and finished strongly to win. The distance won’t trouble her, and consistency remains one of her strongest qualities. A genuine contender for the podium once again.

Mhum Flying

He has the ability to compete with the best, but reliability is his biggest challenge. He either finishes in the top four or makes a mistake and gets disqualified. His raw ability isn’t in doubt, but he remains one of the more unpredictable runners in the race.

Matignon

If he remains trotting, he has missed the podium only four times in his entire career, even while running in group races throughout the year. Yet he still hasn’t won a race. He’ll try to turn that around here. Definitely one for the tickets.

Mademoiselle Jane

One of the most solid and consistent fillies of her generation. Although she struggles to compete for victory, she regularly performs at a high level and is well capable of finishing among the first four.

Miss de Besaces

Another runner with a green emoji, indicating full confidence from connections. She was an excellent second in the Saint-Léger des Trotteurs* at Caen on October 11 and has not missed the top four since. One of the more intriguing dark horses in the race.

Memphis de Brasse

The surprise winner of the Saint-Léger des Trotteurs, scoring in his first and only monté attempt so far. His most recent run was a regular race on October 24 at Vincennes, and he comes into this race with a 1.5-month break. Still, the Caen performance proved he can deliver a shock. A dangerous outsider who shouldn’t be overlooked.

Millor de la Vallée

Has won multiple monté races before stepping up to the highest level for this generation. Since then, he has taken two fourths and a fifth in group races. Still fairly green with only nine career starts, an outsider to consider.

Melody de Vivoin

Runner-up behind Meteore de Simm in the Prix d’Essai. She seems to have struggled a little since the winter season began, but knowing her capabilities, she’s still one worth mentioning.

Race 5 – Prix Jag de Bellouet

A group 1 race for the four-year-old monté stars over 2700m. Victory offers priority of participation in the Prix du Calvados, Prix de Cornulier, Prix de l’Île-de-France, and Prix Henri Desmontils.

Lionheart

Has been among the leaders of the generation for two years now. Struggled with form throughout the summer but corrected all worries in the Prix des Élites* on September 28, where he took victory in an astonishing 1’10’’0 over 2175m. The star from Team Bazire has taken two other group victories since, over both 2175m and 2700m, and will line up as the clear favorite here.

Lexie de Banville

Without a doubt the best filly of this generation, as she confirmed in 2024 in the Prix d’Essai* and Prix de Vincennes, where she took victory in both Group 1 races. She has struggled throughout 2025 to rediscover that form, with just one podium on May 30. She returned to racing on September 28 after a three-month break and is still looking for improvement. Her qualities are clear, but whether she can refind them remains the question. If she does, she’s dangerous to everyone.

Lisbonne Dry

Has raced exclusively in group races this year. The Patrick Ploquin-trained filly was a regular visitor to the podium before September but has taken three sixth places since. Again, a filly with quality but still looking for form. She last raced in a regular race, confirming she has been prepared for the Prix Jag de Bellouet.

L’Ecrin d’Or

Winner of the group 1 Prix Président de la République*, where he beat all of his main rivals with authority. Has struggled slightly since a gallop in the Prix des Élites. If trainer Laurent Abrivard has been able to recapture the form from earlier this year, L’Ecrin d’Or will be a true contender for victory. The question mark remains.

Liberte du Goutier

Surprised everyone in her first race under saddle on August 9, then went on to dominate the Prix Camille de Wazières, where she beat L’Ecrin d’Or. She later finished second in the Prix des Élites, confirming her place among the best of her generation. Disappointed slightly in her last start, where she had a good trip but couldn’t deliver in the final straight. Trainer Thierry Duvaldestin seems optimistic it was just a hiccup.

Lakana de Felliere

A very consistent performer in group races, with three podium finishes in her last three starts. One victory against the fillies of her generation and two placings behind Lionheart. Her ability to finish fast should serve her well again.

Lambada du Goutier

A very difficult filly. Started her career well and finished second in the Saint-Léger des Trotteurs at Caen in 2024. A streak of seven consecutive disqualifications followed, all in group races. After multiple rider changes, Tamara Mathias-Maisonne took the seat and guided her to third in a C-graded race. She then returned to group company and galloped twice in a row. In her latest start on November 30, she stayed trotting and flew to second with Paul Ploquin. Another rider change here, with Florian Desmigneux taking over. If he keeps her together, a top five is possible.

Feudale Degli Dei

The Dutch-trained and owned colt makes his monté debut here. Although that looks ambitious, he’s a capable horse. He won his elimination before finishing fourth in the Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal at Åby on May 3. Has won at Vincennes before, confirming his ability on this track. Broke stride in his last two starts. Form and ability under saddle remain to be seen.

Lemon Fleury

In his interview with Letrot, trainer Mathieu Mottier says: "We're also taking a chance on him. He's a good horse that we've been trying to toughen up recently by running him with shoes. This time, he'll be running barefoot. I think he has the ability to compete for the top spots, knowing that Lionheart seems a cut above the rest."

Race 7 – Prix Bilibili

A group 1 race for the five-year-old monté stars over 2700m, again offering priority of participation in the Prix du Calvados, Prix de Cornulier, Prix de l’Île-de-France, and Prix Henri Desmontils.

Keengame

One of the most discussed horses in Prix de Cornulier conversations. Rarely puts a foot wrong and has finished in the top three in every start in 2025. Anthony Barrier will try to keep him together. When he does, Keengame is the favorite in this field.

Kyt Kat

Among the most experienced horses under saddle. Started at three-years-old and immediately won the biggest races, including the Prix d’Essai and Prix des Élites. At five, he has struggled at times, either breaking stride or can’t push through late. The driver change in recent races (from Mathieu Mottier to Camille Levesque) might be exactly what he needed. Starting with a green emoji; one to watch out for.

Kid Bellay

Barefoot and starting with a green emoji, the signals are clear for the Jean-Michel Baudouin-trained colt. His best performances come under saddle, while regular races bring inconsistency. Will be among the favorites. Eric Raffin drives as usual.

Kalif Landia

Winner of the Prix de Vincennes in 2023 and the Prix Jag de Bellouet in 2024. Inconsistent this year but known for peaking at the right time. Tries a new shoeing setup here: plates in front, irons behind. Most successful with Benjamin Rochard, who takes the ride again.

Kapaula de l’Epine

Beat Keengame on September 13 in a group 2 race but lacks consistency. When she keeps her gait, she’s capable of competing for the better spots. Adrien Lamy in the saddle as usual.

Kelly de Banville

Under saddle, she almost never finishes outside the top four but struggles to find a way to victory. Starts barefoot as usual.

Karaka Wood

Also barefoot and with a green emoji. Winner of the Prix de Boissy-Saint-Léger (harness) in astonishing fashion. Has monté experience, most recently finishing second behind Kyt Kat in the Prix Edmond Henry. Comes in with form and shouldn’t be ignored.

Kazachok

Barefoot and starting with a green emoji as well. Comes in without monté experience but is in great shape.Trainer and driver Mathieu Mottier is highly experienced in the discipline, which immediately puts him in the picture as a dark horse. According to Mottier "We hadn't planned to put him in a mounted race, but we tried it and it went well. It's a bit of a gamble. We don't really know what to expect.

*Prix d’Essai, a monté group 1 final for three-year-olds in the summer

*Saint-Léger des Trotteurs, a monté group 1 final for three-year-olds in the autumn * Prix Président de la République, a monté group 1 final for four-year-olds in the summer *Prix des Élites, a monté group 1 race for four-year-olds in the summer (before 2022 for three to five-year-olds)