Gigant Neo
Encyclopedia
Gigant Neo is a Swedish breeding stallion and former racing trotter
by Super Arnie out of Clorita Lobell by Speedy Crown.
His most prestigious victories include Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal
(2001), Grand Criterium de Vitesse (2003) and Prix d'Amérique
(2006). At the end of his career, the stallion
had earned US$2,596,145. Gigant Neo was trained by Swedish trotting trainer Stefan Melander, and driven by Jorma Kontio, Jean-Michel Bazire
, Dominiek Locqueneux, Joseph Verbeeck and trainer Melander himself. Gigant Neo won the 3-year-old of the Year Award in Sweden in 2001.
.
The 2006 Prix d'Amérique was highly dramatic. The field was recalled three times and one horse lost his driver and went loose on the track. Gigant Neo took the lead in the fourth starting attempt. Soon, reigning champion and favourite Jag de Bellouet went up front while second favourite Kazire de Guez was parked outside. In the stretch, Kazire du Guez broke stride and Jag de Bellouet won the race by two lengths before Gigant Neo.
A little more than a month after the race, it was announced that winner Jag de Bellouet had been disqualified due to a failed doping test. Traces of tolfenamic acid
, an anti-inflammatory substance, had been discovered. As a result, Gigant Neo become the new winner of the title and US$600,000, which was the winner's share of the purse in 2006's edition of the richest trotting race in Europe. Upon getting the news, Gigant Neo's trainer Melander was chocked and reacted by sitting down on a hay bale, just starring straight forward.
Standardbred horse
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability...
by Super Arnie out of Clorita Lobell by Speedy Crown.
His most prestigious victories include Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal
Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal
Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal or, in shorter form, Kungapokalen , is an annual international Group One harness event for trotters. It is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. It is a stakes race for 4-year-old stallions and geldings...
(2001), Grand Criterium de Vitesse (2003) and Prix d'Amérique
Prix d'Amerique
Prix d'Amérique is a harness race held at the Vincennes hippodrome in Paris, France. The race takes place on the last Sunday of January every year, and has been doing so since 1920, with the exception for the years 1940-1941 when it was cancelled due to World War II...
(2006). At the end of his career, the stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
had earned US$2,596,145. Gigant Neo was trained by Swedish trotting trainer Stefan Melander, and driven by Jorma Kontio, Jean-Michel Bazire
Jean-Michel Bazire
Jean-Michel Bazire is a noted French harness racing driver. In 1999 he won the Prix d'Amérique driving Moni Maker. In 2004 he was the driver for Kesaco Phedo who also won the Prix.- References :...
, Dominiek Locqueneux, Joseph Verbeeck and trainer Melander himself. Gigant Neo won the 3-year-old of the Year Award in Sweden in 2001.
Victory in Prix d'Amérique
In 2006, Gigant Neo raced his fourth Prix d'Amérique, arguably the most prestigious trotting event in Europe. He had made attempts to claim the title the three previous years, without success. He came fairly close in 2005, when he finished second behind French Jag de BellouetJag de Bellouet
Jag de Bellouet is a French former racing trotter by Viking's Way out of Vaunoise by Nicos du Vivier....
.
The 2006 Prix d'Amérique was highly dramatic. The field was recalled three times and one horse lost his driver and went loose on the track. Gigant Neo took the lead in the fourth starting attempt. Soon, reigning champion and favourite Jag de Bellouet went up front while second favourite Kazire de Guez was parked outside. In the stretch, Kazire du Guez broke stride and Jag de Bellouet won the race by two lengths before Gigant Neo.
A little more than a month after the race, it was announced that winner Jag de Bellouet had been disqualified due to a failed doping test. Traces of tolfenamic acid
Tolfenamic acid
Tolfenamic acid is one of the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . It is used to treat the symptoms of migraine.- Other possible uses :...
, an anti-inflammatory substance, had been discovered. As a result, Gigant Neo become the new winner of the title and US$600,000, which was the winner's share of the purse in 2006's edition of the richest trotting race in Europe. Upon getting the news, Gigant Neo's trainer Melander was chocked and reacted by sitting down on a hay bale, just starring straight forward.