I seem to recall Michael Guerin on a number of occasions referring to the Elitloppet as the greatest harness race in the world. Having had the pleasure of attending the 2016 version, how does it compare??
On previous trips, I have been privileged to attend a Hambletonian Day (25/26,000 in 2011), Little Brown Jug (44,000 in 2014 which included county fair numbers, those at track numbered considerably less), twenty one Interdominions (crowds ranging between 5/20,000) let alone thirty four of the last thirty five NZ Cups (20,000+). Based simply on crowd attendance alone, Elitloppet Day 2016 with a crowd of just under 29,000 wins out. However, that would not be the only criteria on which the Elitloppet weekend needs to be rated.
Background –
The Elitloppet is a prestige international trotting event providing world class racing with large crowds attending. This elite by invitation only race has been held annually at Solvalla racetrack in Stockholm since 1952. Some of the world’s leading trotters compete for the large purse on offer (2016 – 3mSEK). The winner is determined via two qualifying heats (250kSEK) of eight starters with a final later the same day (Great Southern Star has to date been based on same concept). The Elitloppet is considered one of Sweden’s major sporting events.
The inaugural Elitloppet was run in 1952 under the name of Solvalla’s Jubileumslopp (“Solvalla’s Jubilee Race”) with the winner being German horse Permit. The race name was changed to Elitloppet in 1953 when champion Swedish trotter Frances Bulwark was successful (European mile record T1:16.7EU/2:03.6TT set in 1954, retired winner of 80/130 starts). The Elitloppet forms part of the European Grand Circuit.
From 1952-1958 and in 1973, Elitloppet was decided via two heats with a race-off if the same horse did not win both heats. In 1959-1961, a single longer distance race using a volt start was run (3,200m in 1959 and approx 2,700m 1960-1961; fastest 1:19.1km rate 1960, Honore II). Since 1962 (except 1973), two elimination heats followed by a final have been used to determine the Elitloppet winner. Horses starting in the heats have varied from seven to twelve (eight currently) with eight starting in the final (first four from each heat). The distance run using a volt start** from 1952-1958 was been between 1,580 – 1,640m (fastest 1:16.7km rate 1956, Gelinotte), and with an auto start (mobile starts) being utilised since 1962, 1,609m/1 mile distance is run (fastest 1:09.5 km rate/1:51.8MR 2014, French trotter Timoko). The two minute barrier was beaten for the first time in Europe when Flower Child recorded a time of T1:13.8EU/1:58.8 in a 1973 Elitloppet heat.
** circular starts, also known as loud speaker starts where horses circle around at the post prior to the start with the official start signalled by the loud speaker announcement “ready-one-two-go”.
By tradition, the Elitloppet is held on the last Sunday of May, with races staged on both Saturday and Sunday making up the Elitloppshelgen (Elitloppet weekend). No horse has yet won the Elitloppet more than twice : Gelinotte (1956, 1957), Roquepine (1966, 1967), Eileen Eden (1968, 1970), Timothy T. (1974, 1975), Ideal du Gazeau (1980, 1982), Mack Lobell (1988, 1990), Copiad (1994, 1995), Varenne (2001, 2002). Those sires with two winning offspring are : Speedy Crown (Gum Ball, Moni Maker), Kerjacques (Eleazar, Jorky), Hoot Mon (Pack Hanover, Dart Hanover), Epilog (Eidelstedter, Permit), Bulwark (Frances Bulwark, Carné), Alf Palema (Gidde Palema, Torvald Palema), Quick Pay (The Onion, Victory Tilly), Andover Hall (Magic Tonight, Nuncio). Leading family winners of Elitloppet are : Medio (U1 – 9), Abbess (U17 – 6) and L’Ardrossane (E15 – 3).
The leading drivers of Elitloppet winners are : legendary Stig H. Johansson with six (1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1997, 2000), Johannes Frömming with four (1962, 1965, 1968, 1970) and Leopold Verroken with three (1976, 1977, 1981). To best illustrate the internationalisation of the Elitloppet, winning horses owners by country are : Sweden (23). France (21), Italy (8), Germany (5), USA (4), Norway and Canada (2 each).
Elitloppet Tour 2016 (26 – 30 May) –
Our short four/five day Elitloppet tour was arranged through Equi Tours Sweden, commencing with a get together dinner with other travellers on Thursday evening. Our group consisted of 8 Australians (two trainers, a prominent owner and a budding young race caller), three Americans including breeder of Propulsion plus his original owner), two Kiwis together with approximately 20 French supporters.
Following a traditional Swedish breakfast on Friday morning, the English speaking group took a sightseeing tour of Stockholm with its many historic and interesting sights, such as the Royal Castle, the Old Town, Vasa (Viking) Ship Museum and much more. As was the case for the full tour, we were accompanied by an English speaking guide. At the conclusion of the tour, we had lunch in the Old Town at restaurant “Stortgskallaren” being offered traditional Swedish dishes with a choice of Swedish meat balls or herring.
Late Friday afternoon/evening we attended the Elite Yearling Auction held at the Scandic Infra City hotel facility. The Yearling Sale featured progeny from leading Swedish stallions such as Zola Boko, Going Kronos, Maharajah, as well as American bred stallions Cantab Hall, Muscle Hill, Lucky Chucky, Chocolatier, Yankee Glide, Conway Hall, SJ‘s Photo, French stallions Love You and Ready Cash plus 2016 Elitloppet contenders Timoko and Un Mac d’Heripre. A top price of 500,00SEK (approx 51,000 Euro) was shared by colt progeny of Ready Cash and SJ’s Photo.
Saturday morning we toured the Menhammar Stud farm, Sweden’s largest and most famous breeding barn. This historic stud farm is set in beautiful surroundings no more than 30 minutes out of central Stockholm. Its owner Margareta Wallenius-Kieberg has stood famous stallions like Mack Lobell, Zoot Suit, Smokin Yankee. Stallions standing at stud in 2016 include Zola Boko (Goetmals Wood/Big Blue Kitten), From Above (Zoot Suit/A Gift From Heaven), Maharajah (Viking Kronos/Chili Khan), Going Kronos (Viking Kronos/Bell Power) and Chocolatier (Credit Winner/Maple Frosting).
A great experience to see first hand some leading European trotting stallions.
Our tour also took in the training facility of Stefan Hultman at Ytterta at Menhammar, one of the most successful trainers in Europe having produced such stars as Elitloppet winner From Above and Prix d’Amerique winner Maharajah.
Following our Saturday morning touring, we headed for our initial viewing of Solvalla with an afternoon of major races (finals Sweden Cup – won by Dante Boko (Going Kronos), Harper Hannover lopp race, won by Bird Parker (Ready Cash)) plus V75 races, a major betting option in Sweden **. This proved the ideal entrée prior to Elitloppet Day on Sunday 29 May 2016.
** V75 – introduced in 1993 and available on Saturdays at one of Sweden’s trotting tracks. It is effectively a Pick Seven (seven legs) for a small investment of half krona with a chance to win from multi million SEK pools. Approximately thirty percent of total pool consists of “Harry Boy“ selections (quick pick or mystery/easy bet selections) with seventy percent selected by punters. “Harry Boy” is a fictional character used to market V75. It is based on a form analysis by an expert within Swedish Tote Association. The V75 has a unique substitute (scratching) system (“turordining”) where horses are ranked on “points to starts” basis, Harry Boy picks your two reserves for you or you can select them yourself. If a third scratching occurs, Harry Boy provides your replacement runner. The winning bet payout is based on 7 winners 40% of total pool, with consolation payment for 6 winners 20% and 5 winners 40% of total pool. Should no one select five or more winners, the pool carries forward on an unlimited jackpot basis (dead heats considered a winner). The V75 bet type is available on course, in betting halls as well as retail outlets such as service stations, newspaper agents, tobacco shops and supermarkets. Variations on the V75 format are available for meetings held on days other than Saturdays.
In the evening, we took a spectacular dinner cruise on Lake Malaren to the World Heritage and home of the Swedish Royal Family, Drottningholm Palace. Our beautifully restored ship M/S Prins Carl Philip, was built in 1901 and refurbished in late 1970’s.
Elitloppet Day –
[Elitloppet Day photos are courtesy of French photographer Gerard FORNI]
The 65th running of the Elitloppet on Sunday 29 May 2016, fans obviously arrived early to obtain the best vantage points due to the sizable crowd in attendance although traffic appeared to flow relatively easily. From our comfortable vantage point in the VIP restaurant (top deck of stand overlooking winning post providing panoramic views), we enjoyed great viewing of all the proceedings of Elitloppet Day – without doubt the greatest trotting race in Europe. The all trotting programme featured many quality trotters from several European countries, North America together with a monte and the cold-blood trotters much favoured in Nordic countries.
The 1000m Solvalla track is located in Bromma, a suburb of Stockholm, opened in 1927 with racing being conducted in an anti clockwise direction (Addington). Night racing forms part of the seasonal programme of events.
There are a number of multi level grandstand viewing points (glass enclosed) along the home straight together with outdoor folding chairs/tables from which to view racing. In addition, several hospitality tents and marquees catered for patrons. A number of restaurants and fast food outlets provided the large crowd with plenty of varied culinary delights.
What does it cost to attend Elitloppet weekend racing? General admittance tickets for Saturday’s racing were 270 SEK (approx $50NZ) while for Elitloppet Day itself the cost was 320 SEK (approx $60NZ).
Each days racing consisted of 15 races with a notable break on Elitloppet Day after race three at 11.10am (three 140 metre mobile sprints, three to a heat with winners running off shortly after heats completed). With race four timed for 12.40pm, this allowed time for patrons, officials and horsemen to enjoy the Elitloppet parade and a short lunch break before proceedings continued. Field sizes varied between eight in Elitloppet/Sweden Cup races, ten in monte and other races, often twelve to a field up to a maximum of 15. Race intervals were generally 25/30 minutes.
As to distances raced these included mobiles over 140m sprints, numerous 1 mile events (1609m including monte and cold blood trotters races), several 2140m plus single volt start events over the two days at distances of 2140m, 2640m and 3140m. There were few disqualifications over the two days; an interesting aspect being the stewards tower in the middle of the course that popped up for each race.
There are warm up tracks inside the main track which were always busy with several large track grooming vehicles in constant use throughout the day. A large water feature is prominent inside the track together with a very large screen for on course patrons to view proceedings. Everything seemed timed to precision, going off without any hitches providing a constant flow of brisk activity.
Betting options (tote only), apart from the V75 outlined earlier included V3, 4, 5 (Pick 3, 4 or 5), win and place, lunch and daily doubles, quinella and trifecta. Plenty of betting windows were provided throughout the course.
A visit to the stabling area showed each trainer/racing stables having their own allocated set of stalls often with their name displayed. Their horse floats were either large 6/8 carriers’ or side loading 2 horse floats. The general stabling area also contained a numbers room; drivers room/café; grooms stand and media area where the barrier draws for Sweden Cup and Elitloppet finals were conducted. Stable passes were difficult to obtain and security was tight (checked in/out and frisked).
The major race day entertainment on Elitloppet Day consisted of the parade which commenced from the stabling area/grooms stand and went the full length of the main straight. It included the Elitloppet 2016 flag, choirs singing Swedish national anthem (then and before Elitloppet final), flag raising, Swedish military outriders, and an open air bus containing all of the Elitloppet drivers, all paraded before the large crowd.
Turning to the main event, the Elitloppet itself. The two heats and final produced close contests with all participants providing an elite trotting spectacle.
The first heat consisted of seven runners with the scratching of three time 2016 Group One winner Your Highness. Champion French trotter Timoko (9e Imoko/Kiss Me Coulonces), 2014 Elitloppet winner, took out this heat leading all the way after beating Italian Oasis Bi for the early lead. Arguably the tougher of the two heats, US Muscle Hill trotter’s Resolve (official US rep) and imported Proplusion came from back in the field to fill the remaining dividend bearing places. Oasis Bi finished fourth to qualify for the final.
Another French trotter in Un Mec D’Heripre (8e Orlando Vici/I Love You Darling) took out the second heat, also starting from barrier position four as did Timoko. He sat parked in the death outside the trialling horse and leader Royal Fighter before challenging on entering the home straight with Nuncio a well tried second, Royal Fighter third and Billie De Montfort rounding out the quartet qualifying for the final.
For the second consecutive year, a son of Andover Hall was to win the Elitloppet (2015 Magic Tonight). With barrier positions drawn based on finishing positions in the earlier heats, Un Mec D’Heripre (barrier 1) held off an aggressive challenge from Nuncio (barrier 4) to lead which he held clearly turning for home with Nuncio parked throughout. However, NUNCIO pulled out and won clearly at the line from US rep Resolve who shaded Un Mec D’Heripre in third with Timoko fourth.
Nuncio was driven by Orjan Kihistrom with trainer Stefan Melander tasting his second Elitloppet success after Iceland won for him in 2010. His time in winning the 3mSEK Elitloppet was a fast 1:09.2 (1:51.34MR, compare to Speeding Spur 1: 55.5 Great Southern Star, Monbet 1:56.6 Jewels victories also on 1000m tracks).
Nuncio is a 5yo entire by Andover Hall from a Lindy Lane mare in Nicole Isabella (T2:01.1, $11,542). She belongs to the American family of Miss Copeland (CF U12), her second Elitloppet winner (2004 Gidde Palema). Nuncio’s breeding contains countless top line trotting stallions on both his paternal and maternal sides. Following the Elitloppet, Nuncio had never finished out of the first three in his 46 starts – 31 wins, 13 seconds and just two thirds for earnings of 21.6SEK (approx US$3.0m) with a best mile rating of 1:50.4.
Other Stakes/Group features run on Elitloppet Day were :
Elite – 3yo (Hakan Wallner Memorial) : MAKETHEMARK (by Menhammer stallion Maharajah, a leading sire of 3yos in Sweden this season; 2014 Prix d’Amerique)
Elite – 4yo (Tommy Hannes lopp : PINKMAN (USA)
Elite – 4yo mares (Fyraaringsstjarnan) : WILD HONEY (USA)
Cold Bloods Elitkampen (Jim Fricks lopp) : VITTER (Finland)
The atmosphere is amazing on Elitloppet Day; the crowd incredibly enthusiastic giving generous applause to all participants (winners and losers, before, during and after racing), displaying their national/patriotic support with flags and applicable chants. The noise levels are at times deafening. The level of media attendance including photographers is amazing representing many nations. All in all, a superb day of trotting.
The dream has now been fulfilled – a Hambletonian, a Little Brown Jug and the crowning glory of having attended an Elitloppet. How does the Elitloppet compare was the question I posed at the commencement of this article. No question, it is numero uno and would now have to take pride of place in my harness racing portfolio.
Peter Craig
4 July 2016
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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