The 2025/2026 edition of the Meeting d’Hiver is currently underway at the Paris racecourse of Vincennes, the most important in France and one of the most iconic harness racing venues in the world.
From October 30 to February 28, a total of 87 race meetings are scheduled, featuring 733 races overall (544 sulky races and 189 mounted trot races), with total prize money of €41,623,000 (+1.8% compared to 2024/2025) and a very high average of €56,784 (-0.7%) per race.
There are 155 (-2) Courses Européennes, reserved for trotters born in Europe, and 39 Courses Internationales open to horses from all countries.
Many Italian horses are taking part, both those trained in France, where their numbers continue to grow, and those travelling from Italy. They have already achieved numerous victories, confirming the quality of Italian breeding, which is appreciated worldwide.
On Sunday, January 18, the Prix de Cornulier will be run, the most important mounted trot race (with a jockey riding a trotter) in the world and one of the two highlights of the meeting. The race is named after the Marquises Gontran and Jean de Cornulier, Presidents respectively from 1871 to 1898 and from 1928 to 1934 of the Société du Cheval Français, which under various names since 1864 has governed French trotting and is currently known as the Société d’Encouragement à l’Élevage du Trotteur Français (SETF).
There are 18 runners, the maximum allowed by French regulations, in a very open contest that features no previous winners among the participants. Foreign horses have won only four times in past editions (the race has been run since 1931): three victories by American horses owned by Italian stables (Stellate in 1934, Traveler in 1935, Net Worth in 1937) and one by the Italian horse Traders (2018), trained and owned by top French trainer Philippe Allaire. Worth noting is the presence of two trainees of Joël Hallais (Ina du Rib and Hirondelle du Rib), the most successful trainer in this race, with eight victories between 1981 and 2010.
And on Sunday, January 25, the Prix d’Amérique, the most prestigious and famous trotting race in the world, is scheduled to take place at Vincennes.
