THE biggest harness race in Europe, the Prix d’Amerique sponsored by Rova Caviar in 2026, takes place on the final Sunday of January every year at Vincennes, Paris.

First contested in 1920, the race has stories to rival the more familiar tales of achievements at Aintree or Cheltenham. Undoubtedly Red Rum, Nortons Coin and Cottage Rake’s three Gold Cups in a row are known off by heart to many readers of The Irish Field, but the ‘World Championship of Trotting’ (the French like a bit of hyperbole) has thrown up its fair share of fairy tales as well.