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]
| Group One International race | |
 2010 Elitloppet finish-line | |
| Location | Solvalla Racetrack, Stockholm,  Sweden |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1952 |
| Race type | Harness race for standardbred trotters |
| Website | elitloppet.se |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1,609 meters (1 mile) |
| Track | Left-handed 1,000 meter track (0.62 mile) |
| Qualification | Invitational |
| Purse | SEK 11,350,000 ≈USD 1,073,000 |
History edit
The beginning edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
The races edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
Horses with most wins edit
- 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 edit
- 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 edit
- 6 - Stig H. Johansson (1984, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1997, 2000)
- 4 - Johannes Frömming (1962, 1965, 1968, 1970)
- 4 - Örjan Kihlström (2003,2015,2016,2021)
- 3 - Leopold Verroken (1976, 1977, 1981)
- 3 - Björn Goop (2006,2014,2017)[3]
Countries, number of wins edit
- 25 –
Sweden - 25 –
France - 10 –
Italy - 5 –
Germany combined with West Germany - 3 –
United States - 2 –
Norway - 2 –
Canada
Fastest winners edit
Short distance (1,600-1,609 m), auto start (1962-) edit
Short distance (1,580-1,640 m), volt start (1952-1958) edit
- 1:16.7 (km rate) - Gelinotte (1956)[3]
Long distance (2,700-3,200 m), volt start (1959-1961) edit
- 1:19.1 (km rate) - Honoré II (1960)[3]
All winners of Elitloppet edit
1 Nationality of the winning horse's owner(s)
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Elitloppet - Sweden, Stockholm". HorseRacing.com. The Horse Racing Channel. Archived from the original on 2013-12-28. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ Kentell, Mark (2008-05-24). "'Elitlopp' most prestigious race in the World". harnesslink.com. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ 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) - ^ a b Jag de Bellouet won in 1:09.4 in 2006, but was later disqualified.
- ^ a b Panne de Moteur won an elimination race in 2014 in 1:08.9.
- ^ "European Grand Circuit 2009" (PDF). uet-trot.net. European Trotting Union (UET). Retrieved 2009-03-04.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Travsportens historia på 15 minuter". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Pawlak, John (2006-06-23). "Jag de Bellouet stripped of title". harnesslink.com. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ Profile of Propulsion sportapp.travsport.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02
- ^ Mardömsförsöket: "Vilken jävla häst" aftonbladet.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02
- ^ Propulsion vann Elitloppet - på femte försöket:"Många tårar" svt.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02
- ^ Efter ST:s krismöte- utredning inleds aftonbladet.se (in Swedish)Retrieved 2020-11-02
- ^ Svensk Travsports presskonferens om Fallet Propulsion Video of the press conference where the findings of the Propulsion investigation were announced (in Swedish)
- ^ 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.
- ^ "54 401 besökte Elitloppshelgen". newsdesk.se (in Swedish). 2008-05-26. Archived from the original on 2008-12-11. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
- ^ 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]
External links edit
- elitloppet.se - official website
- Kurt Anderssons Travsida - list with full results