Starting in just over a week’s time is, by some stretch, the most important annual meeting in the European trotting domain. From Thursday, 2 November to Saturday, 2 March, Vincennes stages four months of world-class racing, made up of 753 races spread over 91 days.

In addition to this year’s extra day of festival activity, the PMU has become the official partner of the Prix d’Amérique Races. On the sporting side, the big news is the appearance of a new Group 1, the Prix Henri Desmontils, a monté event covering 3000m.

Key dates for the Winter Meeting 2023 - 2024

2 November: Opening of winter meeting

19 November: Prix de Bretagne - Prix d’Amérique Race, Qualification No.1

10 December: Prix du Bourbonnais - Prix d’Amérique Race, Qualification No.2. Sulky World Cup 4yo, Qualification No.3 (Prix Ready Cash)

17 December: Prix de Vincennes. Prix Jag De Bellouet - Cornulier Race, Qualification No.1. Prix Bilibili - Cornulier Race, Qualification No.2

24 December: Critérium Continental - Prix d’Amérique Race, Qualification No.3. Prix Ténor de Baune - Prix d’Amérique Race, Qualification No.4

31 December: Prix de Bourgogne - Prix d’Amérique Race, Qualification No.5

7 January: Prix du Calvados - Cornulier Race, Qualification No.3

14 January: Prix de Belgique - Prix d’Amérique Race, Qualification No.6

21 January: Prix de Cornulier

27 January: Sulky World Cup 4yo Final (Prix Ourasi). Sulky World Cup 5yo Final (Prix Bold Eagle) 

28 January: Prix d’Amérique - Legend Race

4 February: Prix de l’Île-de-France

11 February: Prix de France - Speed Race

18 February: Prix Comte Pierre de Montesson (Critérium des Jeunes)

25 February: Prix de Paris - Marathon Race

2 March: Prix Face Time Bourbon. Prix des Centaures. Prix Henri Desmontils

Professionals in the Winter Meeting spotlight

During the 2022-2023 meeting, a record fell in the drivers/jockeys category. With 99 victories, Alexandre Abrivard was patently dominant and erased the previous record of 92, set by Eric Raffin the previous meeting.

Among the trainers, Jean-Michel Bazire helped himself to the title for the 5th year in succession. Securing 49 successes over the winter, he notably landed his third Prix d’Amérique, as trainer, with Hooker Berry.

Philippe Allaire topped the owners’ table with € 961,240 in prizemoney won over just four months. The Master of the Haras de Bouttemont saw his colours shine at the highest level thanks to Just A Gigolo (Sulky Word Cup 4yo Q#3 - Prix Ready Cash) and Koctel du Dain (Prix Comte Pierre de Montesson - Critérium des Jeunes).