The Christian Bigeon trained and driven Hip Hop Haufor came with a powerful late run on the outside to claim the G2 Prix d'Amérique Races Q1 - Prix de Bretagne (2700m) recording a tenth career success.

From the 2700m start, there was plenty of pace with multiple runners moving forward to obtain a good early position before the first turn. Gala Téjy, Zarenne Fas, Hussard du Landret and Hokkaido Jiel were the many challengers positioned to the fore in the opening 500m as the field entered the home straight for the first time. At this early stage of the race, only eight lengths covered the main group. Despite this, Christian Bigeon – driver of Hip Hop Haufor – chose to settle toward the rear of the main group, in around tenth position.

Passing the stands with a circuit to go, Violetto Jet broke stride and was officially out of the race alongside Swedish raider, Rackham who was another to be disqualified early. The tempo remained very strong racing away from the enclosures with Décoloration adopting pace setting duties.

Throughout, Hip Hop Haufor remained well back, the best part of six behind and two off the inside pegs. Passing the 1000m marker, Bigeon was making gradual headway steering the five-year-old three deep and progressing to take seventh. Up front, Décoloration and the favourite, Ampia Mede Sm maintained their leading places with 800m to go. Hussard du Landret also wanted a piece of the action and made an eye-catching move which allowed both the eventual winner and well supported four-year-old Italiano Vero to follow, three deep.

Turning for home, it looked an open race with many chances where Ampia Mede Sm kicked on to briefly gain a two-length lead before Hussard du Landret and Hip Hop Haufor moved on the outside joining the leader with 400m left to run. Ampia Mede Sm faded and the powerful late run from Hip Hop Haufor proved too strong to record a tenth career success, beating top-class performers narrowly in a bunched finish which resulted in a stewards' enquiry. 

Hussard du Landret was second past the post but relegated to fifth by the stewards. This allowed the two placegetters Italiano Vero and Ampia Mede Sm to both qualify and gain automatic entry into the three driven Classics taking place in the early new year. 

Flamme du Goutier was unlucky in the finish and managed fourth ahead of Hooker Berry in sixth. Both ran well and recorded strong sectional times.

Hip Hop Haufor, a son of Up And Quick, came into the race in strong form with a third in the G1 Championnat Européen des 5 ans (2100m) last month and has now proven himself in this elite level to be competitive ahead of the feature races this Vincennes Winter Meeting.