James De L'Iton wins top race

The 2008 horse racing season came to an end yesterday with a seven-race card that included six championship finals for French trotters, all on the 2,140m distance, and a flat Class A final for The Fair Play Coronation Cup. Noel Baldacchino was the best driver after notching three wins.

The main race of the afternoon was the Prix De Vincennes, the Premier class final. Midway through this exciting race, Baldacchino got the best out of James De L'Iton as it sprinted home to victory despite the late surge of second horse in In Vitro Du Bourg. Iris Du Louvet finished third.

Kheops D'Ariane looked set to win the final of the Prix D'Enghien (Gold) but it was overtaken just on the finishing line by Charles Camilleri's Kojak D'Isques while third place went to Hello Classique.

Rodney Gatt kept outsider Leo De Gratens in the lead all the way to win the final of the Prix De Cabourg (Silver). Hermes D'Haufor placed second ahead of Golf Oul Dada.

An attack initiated some 400m from the post enabled Lutan Villtot, directed by Charles Camilleri to win the Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer (Bronze 1) by four lengths. Libre Echange and Jarnac Du Moulin were second and third respectively.

The mare Moustique Rose controlled by Baldacchino grabbed the lead midway through the distance to go on and win the Prix De Caen (Bronze 2) final ahead of Impact Classic and Leader Changerie.

Baldacchino managed to keep Gagneur De Brillon in the lead throughout the Prix De Marseilles (Bronze 3) final to register its third win on the trot. Ignace Lesdelles and Juaben were second and third respectively.

The Fair Play Coronation Cup went to French four-year-old Nikos Heriniere, under the guidance of Demis Zammit. It took the lead at the start of the final straight to register its third win in as many races in Malta. Managing Director could only end up second followed in third place by Just The Best.

Yesterday's winners

Race 1: Bronze 3 (Prix De Marseille Final), 2,140m - Gagneur De Brillon (N. Baldacchino).

Race 2: Bronze 2 (Prix De Caen Final), 2,140m - Moustique Rose (N. Baldacchino).

Race 3: Bronze 1 (Prix De Cagnes Sur Mer Final), 2,140m - Lutan Villetot (Charles Camilleri).

Race 4: Flat Class A (The Fair Play Coronation Cup Final), 1,250m - Nikos Heriniere (D. Zammit).

Race 5: Silver (Prix De Cabourg Final), 2,140m - Leo De Gratens (R. Gatt)

Race 6: Premier (Prix De Vincennes Final), 2,140m - James De L'Iton (N. Baldachino)

Race 7: Gold (Prix D'Enghien Final), 2,140m - Kojak D'Isques (C. Camilleri).

Season awards

Most consistent horse 2008: James De L'Iton.

Best driver 2008: Noel Baldacchino.

Best Under-25 Driver 2008: Rodney Gatt.

Best jockey: 2008: Eric Zammit.