The First French King

He was a war foal who rose to the top of the French elite in the 1920. The first and only horse to be disqualified from a win in the Prix d’Amerique, Passeport was a tremendous trotter who was just as outstanding at stud.

Passeport was no child prodigy, though he was relatively good early. He made his debut at Argentan at 3. On Sep 18, he qualified in 1.39,9 (2:40.4). 69 three-year-olds attempted to qualify, which meant they had to trot at least 1.45, and 45 made the cut. Passeport’s mark was the ninth fastest time. It was far behind the two fastest, though Phoenix and Pro Patria, who trotted in 1.33,3 and 1.34,7 (2:20.1 and 2:32.2), respectively. The following day Passeport got his debut in monte race Prix d’Essai. Finishing fifth of the ten starters, Passeport trotted in 1.39,1 (2:39.2). He was still relatively far behind the winner, Paulownia, who won in 1.35,0 (2:32.4).

The following day he was fourth in Prix de l’Ourcq on the same track, now trotting in 1.37,5 (2:36.4), the race won by Paladin in 1.34,2 (2:31.3). Interestingly enough, in another race at Argentan that day, Prix de la Vesle, a certain Pro Patria finished second for Louis Forcinal. Pro Patria was earlier than Passeport, though the latter eventually became a much better trotter.

At 4, trainer Clerc took Passeport to Vincennes, and at Jun 4 he mopped the floor with the opponents in the Prix de Poitiers, winning in 1.33,2 (2:30). La France Chevaline wrote “At the signal, Passeport, quick on his legs, left very quickly and swiftly took a big lead. Petrograd, on the contrary, got off to bad start but started to pursue and gradually gained ground on the leader. At the top of the straight we started to believe he would catch up, but exhausted by his efforts, tired and allowed Passeport to win by a big distance. (…) The winner is a pretty little horse with excellent gait and, even though he benefited from a quick start, nonetheless put in a very good performance.” The following week he was third in another monte race at Vincennes, losing to the good Ontario and Off. He won a few other monte races before making his debut with a sulky in Prix de la Societe du Demi-sang in mid-August. Passeport won that one too, in 1.36,2 (2:34.4) against relatively easy opposition. The time was still six seconds behind Pro Patria’s record at the same time.

Read the rest of Passeport’s story on Talesoflegendarytrotters