The date of November 23, 2021 will forever be engraved in the memory of David Bertrand. The 34-year-old apprentice then won his first success on the Paris-Vincennes racecourse, the temple of trotting, associated with Flamme de Ginai. A Parisian victory which means a lot to him. “When you do this job, you hope to shine one day in Vincennes, confides the one who is from Agen (Lot-et-Garonne). It has a special flavor. In addition, it is a mare that my friend, Guillermo Horrach Vidal, takes care of. “That day, the duo created a very big surprise by displaying the odds of… 183/1. “Everyone asked me if I had played, he remembers with amusement. Afterwards, when they asked me if I had a chance, I answered positively because she had run well before. »
“It was a dream to win at Vincennes”
This success at an astronomical odds obviously made David Bertrand talk, always on his little cloud. “It was a dream to win at Vincennes,” he continues. In addition, I beat the professionals, so it was even more beautiful. A victory is always a pleasure, but at Vincennes, it’s something else entirely. It was a great moment for my father in particular, who was a coach in the past. And as happiness never comes alone, the pilot doubled the bet on December 9 at the sulky ofExtra from the Châtelet. “I obviously hope to relive those moments as often as possible. »
While he is going through the best period of his career, David Bertrand does not forget the moments of difficulty he has experienced in the past. “About five years ago, I had a triple fracture of the fifth metacarpus of the right hand, explains the one who had just left the stable of Michel Charlot. It was nothing to worry about but I developed algodystrophy after the operation. My hand swelled in winter, and in summer it released a lot of water, as if I had run my hand under the tap. It dragged on for a year. I asked myself a lot of questions, especially since there is no real treatment. Well supported by his family, he finally manages to recover and then joins the stable of Yannick Henry, where he will take care of Hastronaute, winner of the Critérium des 4 Ans.
“For six months, I have been in the service of Pierre Belloche in Grosbois, continues the one who worked for Jean-Paul Piton, Paul Viel and Jacques-Henri Treich. I have a very good position because I can combine training and driving. “Above all, the one who is nicknamed “Dadou” by his relatives, will soon pass the milestone of 50 victories (Editor’s note: he has 46 successes): “It should happen quickly. Many people dread this moment but I’m not worried because I already run regularly with the professionals. I have a few coaches who trust me, in addition to my boss, like Benjamin Goetz, for whom I won last Sunday. This Tuesday, the person concerned could win a 47th success in the third event of the program with the one that gave him so much pleasure, Flamme de Ginai “The number on the second line doesn’t bother me. She needs to stay calm at the start. As I beat several of my opponents, I think I have a good chance. »
