Elitloppet
Group One International race
2010 Elitloppet finish-line
LocationSolvalla Racetrack, Stockholm,
 Sweden
Inaugurated1952
Race typeHarness race for standardbred trotters
Websiteelitloppet.se
Race information
Distance1,609 meters (1 mile)
TrackLeft-handed 1,000 meter track (0.62 mile)
QualificationInvitational
PurseSEK 11,350,000 ≈USD 1,073,000

Elitloppet (literally: "The Elite Race") or Solvallas Internationella Elitlopp is an annual, invitational Group One harness event that has taken place at Solvalla Racetrack in Stockholm, Sweden, since 1952.[1] The competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious international events in trotting. The winner is decided through two qualifying rounds and a subsequent final later the same day. Both the eliminations and the final are raced over the mile.[2] The overall purse for the 2022 event was SEK11,350,000, equalling approximately US$1,073,000. In 2002 the Italian champion Varenne, (considered the strongest trotter of all time), took it in a world record time of 1:10.4 in the elimination and then bested that mark by winning the final in 1:10.2 – the fastest mile ever trotted around three turns. The fastest winning time in a final is 1:08.9, run by the Swedish Don Fanucci Zet in 2021.[3][4][5] Elitloppet was part of the European Grand Circuit and is part of that circuit's successor, the UET Masters Series.[6]

History

The beginning

The first Elitloppet was run in 1952 under the name of Solvallas Jubileumslopp (approximately "Solvalla's Jubilee Race"). Winner the opening year was the German horse Permit.[7] The following year, the event changed name to Elitloppet.[8]

The doping affair in 2006

In Elitloppet 2006, French star trotter Jag de Bellouet won in a record time of 1:09,4 (km rate), with Italian Lets Go in second place. At a press conference a few weeks after the Elitloppet Day, it was announced that both horses had been disqualified due to positive doping tests. Jag de Bellouet and Lets Go tested positive for diclofenac and etacrynic acid, respectively. After the disqualifications, Swedish Conny Nobell was announced the official winner of the 2006 event. The general secretary in the Swedish Trotting Association (STC), Ulf Hörnberg, expressed that the double disqualifications was a "tragedy" for the event.[9]

The Propulsion scandal

Propulsion is a stallion that was imported from the United States 2015 to race in Sweden for trainer Daniel Redén.[10] The USTA (United States Trotting Association) sent an export certificate to Svensk Travsport (The Swedish trotting association). Prior to being imported Propulsion had been nerved and according to Swedish regulations no nerved horse is allowed to race or participate in breeding. It was indicated in the export certificate that the horse was nerved but this was never spotted by Svensk Travsport. The horse was allowed to race and won over 30 million SEK in prize money. In 2020 the horse had never won Elitloppet and participated for the fifth time. In the elimination heat he finished third. Due to his trip in the race his performance was considered very impressive.[11] In the final, Propulsion crossed the finish line first.[12] Two days after Propulsion's victory the Norwegian magazine Trav-og Galopp-nytt published an article claiming to have evidence that Propulsion was nerved and Svensk Travsport opened an investigation into the matter.[13] On 29 October 2020 Svensk Travsport announced that Propulsion was racing in violation of the rules and he was thus stripped of all his results in Sweden. No decision has been made concerning Propulsion's results in other European countries. The matter has now been handed over to STAD (Svenskt Travsports Ansvars-och Disciplinnämnd, literally "Liability and Disciplinary committee of Svensk Travsport") to determine if any sanctions should be handed out. The lawyer of Svensk Travsport, Göran Wahlman said that Daniel Redén did not intentionally violate the rules but, as the trainer, he is strictly liable.[14]

Racing conditions

The races

In 1952–1958 and in 1973, Elitloppet was decided through two heats followed by a race-off if not one and the same horse won both heats. In 1959–1961, when a longer distance was trotted, only a single race was run. Since 1962 (with the exception of 1973), a concept of two eliminations and one final has been used. The number of horses in the eliminations has varied from seven to twelve during these years, but there have always been eight trotters in the final.[3]

Distance

The distance has, with the exception of the years 1959–1961, been in the interval of 1,580–1,640 meters. In 1959, the horses ran 3,200 meters, and the two following years, the distance was approximately 2,700 meters.[3]

Starting method

During the first ten years, 1952–1961, volt start was used in Elitloppet. From 1962 and on, a motorized starting gate has been used, changing the starting method from volt start to auto start.[3]

The Elitloppet weekend

Elitloppet is traditionally raced on the last Sunday of May.[15] Solvalla stages races both Saturday and Sunday which makes up a meet, known in Sweden as "The Elitloppet weekend" (Swedish: Elitloppshelgen). The two days are generally well-visited and is considered one of Sweden's biggest sports events. In 2008, a total of over 53,000 people attended the events at Solvalla.[16]

Past winners

Horses with most wins

Sires with at least two winning offspring

Drivers with most wins

Countries, number of wins

Fastest winners

Short distance (1,600-1,609 m), auto start (1962-)

Short distance (1,580-1,640 m), volt start (1952-1958)

Long distance (2,700-3,200 m), volt start (1959-1961)

All winners of Elitloppet

Year Horse Driver Country1 Odds of winner Winning time
1952 Permit Walter Heitman  West Germany 2.16 1:17.3
1953 Frances Bulwark Sören Nordin  Sweden 2.25 1:20.6
1954 Carné Olle Persson  Sweden 8.65 1:18.7
1955 Gutemberg A. Alain Deheeger  France 9.85 1:18.9
1956 Gelinotte Charlie Mills  France 1.24 1:16.7
1957 Gelinotte Charlie Mills  France 1.67 1:16.8
1958 Io d'Amour Gerhard Krüger  West Germany 1.25 1:18.4o
1959 Jamin Jean Riaud  France 1.21 1:21.1
1960 Honoré II Raoul Simonard  France 21.04 1:19.1
1961 Kracovie Roger Vercruysse  France 3.34 1:20.3
1962 Eidelstedter Johannes Frömming  West Germany 4.65 1:17.4
1963 Ozo Roger Massue  France 1.31 1:16.5
1964 Pack Hanover Sergio Brighenti  Italy 4.39 1:15.4
1965 Elma Johannes Frömming  United States 1.42 1:16.5
1966 Roquepine Henri Levesque  France 3.24 1:15.3
1967 Roquepine Henri Levesque  France 1.38 1:15.1
1968 Eileen Eden Johannes Frömming  Italy 1.30 1:15.8
1969 Fresh Yankee Joe O'Brien  Canada 2.67 1:15.8
1970 Eileen Eden Johannes Frömming  Italy 21.12 1:15.5
1971 Tidalium Pelo Jean Mary  France 1.80 1:14.7
1972 Dart Hanover Berndt Lindstedt  Sweden 1.27 1:15.3
1973 Ego Boy Ingemar Olofsson  Sweden 2.03 1:23.8
1974 Timothy T. Giancarlo Baldi  Italy 2.70 1:15.7
1975 Timothy T. Giancarlo Baldi  Italy 2.81 1:17.2
1976 Dimitria Leopold Verroken  France 2.47 1:15.8
1977 Eleazar Leopold Verroken  France 3.55 1:16.0
1978 Hadol du Vivier Jean Rene Gougeon  France 2.56 1:14.0
1979 Pershing Berndt Lindstedt  Sweden 1.71 1:13.7
1980 Ideal du Gazeau Eugène Lefèvre  France 3.05 1:13.8
1981 Jorky Leopold Verroken  France 3.65 1:13.2
1982 Ideal du Gazeau Eugène Lefèvre  France 2.06 1:13.2
1983 Ianthin Paul Delanoe  France 4.15 1:13.2
1984 The Onion Stig H. Johansson  Sweden 2.34 1:12.2
1985 Meadow Road Torbjörn Jansson  Sweden 5.72 1:11.6
1986 Rex Rodney Kjell Håkonsen  Norway 1.51 1:13.4
1987 Utah Bulwark Stig H. Johansson  Sweden 6.31 1:12.1
1988 Mack Lobell John D. Campbell  United States 1.52 1:11.3
1989 Napoletano Stig H. Johansson  Sweden 1.57 1:12.8
1990 Mack Lobell Thomas Nilsson  Sweden 1.59 1:11.0
1991 Peace Corps Stig H. Johansson  Sweden 1.41 1:12.2
1992 Billyjojimbob Murray Brethour  Canada 2.40 1:11.8
1993 Sea Cove Joseph Verbeeck  Germany 2.51 1:11.9
1994 Copiad Erik Berglöf  Sweden 2.38 1:11.8
1995 Copiad Erik Berglöf  Sweden 1.39 1:11.3
1996 Coktail Jet Jean-Etienne Dubois  France 4.33 1:11.4
1997 Gum Ball Stig H. Johansson  Sweden 4.95 1:12.3
1998 Moni Maker Wally Hennessey  United States 2.20 1:10.6
1999 Remington Crown Joseph Verbeeck  France 4.10 1:12.6
2000 Victory Tilly Stig H. Johansson  Sweden 3.10 1:10.5
2001 Varenne Giampaolo Minnucci  Italy 1.47 1:10.7
2002 Varenne Giampaolo Minnucci  Italy 1.32 1:10.2
2003 From Above Örjan Kihlström  Sweden 9.44 1:10.1
2004 Gidde Palema Åke Svanstedt  Sweden 1.34 1:10.0
2005 Steinlager Per Oleg Midfjeld  Norway 1.86 1:10.0
2006 Conny Nobell Björn Goop  Sweden 4.18 1:09.9
2007 L'Amiral Mauzun Jean-Michel Bazire  France 5.29 1:10.0
2008 Exploit Caf Jean-Michel Bazire  Italy 1.78 1:09.8
2009 Torvald Palema Åke Svanstedt  Sweden 4.86 1:10.4
2010 Iceland Johnny Takter  Sweden 8.92 1:10.5
2011 Brioni Joakim Lövgren  Germany 27.06 1:10.5
2012 Commander Crowe Christophe Martens  Sweden 3.01 1:10.4
2013 Nahar Robert Bergh  Sweden 5.48 1:10.1
2014 Timoko Björn Goop  France 2.94 1:09.5
2015 Magic Tonight Örjan Kihlström  Sweden 4.35 1:10.1
2016 Nuncio Örjan Kihlström  Sweden 3.10 1:09.2
2017 Timoko Björn Goop  France 30.89 1:09.0
2018 Ringostarr Treb Wilhelm Paal  Italy 3.47 1:09.0
2019 Dijon Romain Derieux  France 27.78 1:10.3
2020 Cokstile Christoffer Eriksson  Italy 4.38 1:10.4
2021 Don Fanucci Zet Örjan Kihlström  Sweden 3.79 1:08.9
2022 Etonnant Anthony Barrier  France 10.18 1:09.3

1 Nationality of the winning horse's owner(s)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Elitloppet - Sweden, Stockholm". HorseRacing.com. The Horse Racing Channel. Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  2. ^ Kentell, Mark (2008-05-24). "'Elitlopp' most prestigious race in the World". harnesslink.com. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j (in Swedish) https://www.elitloppet.se/images/pdf/Elitloppsstatistik_2021.pdf. Retrieved 2022-05-31. ((cite web)): Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ a b Jag de Bellouet won in 1:09.4 in 2006, but was later disqualified.
  5. ^ a b Panne de Moteur won an elimination race in 2014 in 1:08.9.
  6. ^ "European Grand Circuit 2009" (PDF). uet-trot.net. European Trotting Union (UET). Retrieved 2009-03-04.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Travsportens historia på 15 minuter". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  8. ^ "Utmärkt ciceron på S-företagarnas Solvallakväll". stockholmsbf.se (in Swedish). 2007-05-24. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  9. ^ Pawlak, John (2006-06-23). "Jag de Bellouet stripped of title". harnesslink.com. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  10. ^ Profile of Propulsion sportapp.travsport.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02
  11. ^ Mardömsförsöket: "Vilken jävla häst" aftonbladet.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02
  12. ^ Propulsion vann Elitloppet - på femte försöket:"Många tårar" svt.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02
  13. ^ Efter ST:s krismöte- utredning inleds aftonbladet.se (in Swedish)Retrieved 2020-11-02
  14. ^ Svensk Travsports presskonferens om Fallet Propulsion Video of the press conference where the findings of the Propulsion investigation were announced (in Swedish)
  15. ^ Berg, Leif (2007-05-27). "Fransk smygare vann Elitloppet". dn.se (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  16. ^ "54 401 besökte Elitloppshelgen". newsdesk.se (in Swedish). 2008-05-26. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  17. ^ Bonsdorf, Karsten (2008-05-25). "Exploit Caf wins the Elitlopp; Enough Talk finishes third". ustrotting.com. United States Trotting Association. Retrieved 2009-03-04.[permanent dead link]

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