Wikipedia

Elitloppet

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 1:08.0, run by the French Horsy Dream in 2024.[3][4][5] Elitloppet was part of the European Grand Circuit and is part of that circuit's successor, the UET Masters Series.[6]

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

History

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The beginning

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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

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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

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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

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The races

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Horses with most wins

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  • 2 - Timoko (2014, 2017)
  • 2 - Varenne (2001, 2002)
  • 2 - Copiad (1994, 1995)
  • 2 - Mack Lobell (1988, 1990)
  • 2 - Ideal du Gazeau (1980, 1982)
  • 2 - Timothy T. (1974, 1975)
  • 2 - Eileen Eden (1968, 1970)
  • 2 - Roquepine (1966, 1967)
  • 2 - Gelinotte (1956, 1957)[3]

Sires with at least two winning offspring

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  • 2 - Quick Pay (The Onion, Victory Tilly)
  • 2 - Andover Hall (Nuncio, Magic Tonight)
  • 2 - Alf Palema (Gidde Palema, Torvald Palema)
  • 2 - Bulwark (Frances Bulwark, Carné)
  • 2 - Epilog (Eidelstedter, Permit)
  • 2 - Hoot Mon (Pack Hanover, Dart Hanover)
  • 2 - Kerjacques (Eleazar, Jorky)
  • 2 - Speedy Crown (Gum Ball, Moni Maker)[3]

Drivers with most wins

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Countries, number of wins

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Fastest winners

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

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

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  • 1:16.7 (km rate) - Gelinotte (1956)[3]

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

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  • 1:19.1 (km rate) - Honoré II (1960)[3]

All winners of Elitloppet

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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   United States 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   United States 1.57 1:12.8
1990 Mack Lobell Thomas Nilsson   United States 1.59 1:11.0
1991 Peace Corps Stig H. Johansson   United States 1.41 1:12.2
1992 Billyjojimbob Murray Brethour   Canada 2.40 1:11.8
1993 Sea Cove Joseph Verbeeck   Canada 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
2023 Hohneck Gabriele Gelormini   France 7.69 1:08.9
2024 Horsy Dream Eric Raffin   France 3.81 1:08.0

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

See also

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References

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  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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