Thunderbolt on the Prix d'Amérique with news that fell on Tuesday, shortly after 2 p.m.
Double winner (2020, 2021),
Face Time Bourbon
will not be able to defend his title, this Sunday, on the legendary Vincennes track.
In a video posted on Twitter, Antonio Somma, owner of the crack who announced himself as the big favorite of the 2022 edition, and coach Sébastien Guarato, announced it.
“The horse has a navicular problem (which causes chronic lameness).
This problem with one foot has gotten a little worse, ”said the latter.
Met at the Vincennes racecourse, Éric Raffin, driver of the champion (17 Groups I to his name), was still stunned by this information.
“When I had Sébastien Guarato on the phone this afternoon (Tuesday), I did not believe it, he confides.
I thought he was kidding me.
I took a slap in the face.
The Vendée rider does not hide his disappointment, he who won all the Group I events of the French program on the trot, except the Prix d'Amérique.
“You also have to put things into perspective,” he continues.
I am in good health, my relatives too, and the horse is not dead either.
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“At 90%, I think his career is over”
Concerning the health of
Face Time Bourbon
, and the rest of his career, the record holder of victories (346) over one year indicated: “We could not play with the health of the horse.
Better to stop before a tragedy.
I was very happy to be associated with
Face Time Bourbon
, and we must not forget the great champion that he is.
“Shortly after, on the antenna of Equidia, Sébastien Guarato also left little doubt about the continuation of the career of the trotter of the Scuderia Bivans: “At 90%, I think it is over.
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