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Elitloppet

{{Infobox horseraces

| class = Group One International

| horse race = Elitloppet

| image = Johnny Takter & Iceland Elitloppet 2010 001.jpg

| caption = 2010 Elitloppet finish-line

| location = Solvalla Racetrack, Stockholm,
{{SWE}}

| inaugurated = 1952

| race type = Harness race for standardbred trotters

| website = [http://www.elitloppet.se elitloppet.se]

| distance = 1,609 meters (1 mile)

| track = Left-handed 1,000 meter track (0.62 mile)

| qualification = Invitational

| weight =

| purse = SEK 11,350,000 ≈USD 1,073,000

| bonuses =

}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.horseracing.com/events/races/sweden/stockholm/elitloppet-341.html|title=Elitloppet - Sweden, Stockholm|work=HorseRacing.com|publisher=The Horse Racing Channel|accessdate=2009-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228080338/http://www.horseracing.com/events/races/sweden/stockholm/elitloppet-341.html|archive-date=2013-12-28|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=63810|title='Elitlopp' most prestigious race in the World|last=Kentell|first=Mark| date=2008-05-24|work=harnesslink.com|accessdate=2009-03-04}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.elitloppet.se/images/pdf/Elitloppsstatistik_2021.pdf| language=Swedish|accessdate=2022-05-31}}Jag de Bellouet won in 1:09.4 in 2006, but was later disqualified.Panne de Moteur won an elimination race in 2014 in 1:08.9. Elitloppet was part of the European Grand Circuit and is part of that circuit's successor, the UET Masters Series.{{cite web|url=http://www.uet-trot.net/UET/pdf/en/gc_current.pdf|title=European Grand Circuit 2009|work=uet-trot.net|publisher=European Trotting Union (UET)|accessdate=2009-03-04}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.travsport.se/sinfo?kommando=visaHistoria |title=Travsportens historia på 15 minuter |work=travsport.se |publisher=STC |language=Swedish |accessdate=2009-03-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810210923/http://www.travsport.se/sinfo?kommando=visaHistoria |archivedate=2007-08-10 }} The following year, the event changed name to Elitloppet.{{cite web|url=http://www.stockholmsbf.se/nyheter-2007/utmarkt-ciceron-pa-s-foretagarnas-solval__233|title=Utmärkt ciceron på S-företagarnas Solvallakväll|date=2007-05-24|work=stockholmsbf.se|language=Swedish|accessdate=2009-03-04|archive-date=2011-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006174030/http://www.stockholmsbf.se/nyheter-2007/utmarkt-ciceron-pa-s-foretagarnas-solval__233|url-status=dead}}

=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.{{cite web|url=http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=39627|title=Jag de Bellouet stripped of title|last=Pawlak|first=John|date=2006-06-23|work=harnesslink.com|accessdate=2009-03-04}}

=The Propulsion scandal=

Propulsion is a stallion that was imported from the United States 2015 to race in Sweden for trainer Daniel Redén.[https://sportapp.travsport.se/sportinfo/horse/ts745530/results Profile of Propulsion] sportapp.travsport.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02 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.[https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/trav365/a/wP1B61/mardromsforsoket-vilken-javla-hast Mardömsförsöket: "Vilken jävla häst"] aftonbladet.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02 In the final, Propulsion crossed the finish line first.[https://www.svt.se/sport/trav/elitloppet-2 Propulsion vann Elitloppet - på femte försöket:"Många tårar"] svt.se (in Swedish) Retrieved 2020-11-02 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.[https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/trav365/a/jd442b/efter-sts-krismote--utredning-inleds Efter ST:s krismöte- utredning inleds] aftonbladet.se (in Swedish)Retrieved 2020-11-02 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.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1DXpPRM9y4&feature=emb_title Svensk Travsports presskonferens om Fallet Propulsion] Video of the press conference where the findings of the Propulsion investigation were announced (in Swedish)

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.

=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.

=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.

The Elitloppet weekend

Elitloppet is traditionally raced on the last Sunday of May.{{cite web|url=https://www.dn.se/sport/fransk-smygare-vann-elitloppet/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728121656/http://www.dn.se/sport/fransk-smygare-vann-elitloppet-1.646102|url-status=live|archive-date=2012-07-28|title=Fransk smygare vann Elitloppet|last=Berg|first=Leif|date=2007-05-27|work=Dagens Nyheter|publisher=Dagens Nyheter|language=Swedish|access-date=2009-03-04}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsdesk.se/view/pressrelease/54-401-besoekte-elitloppshelgen-217869 |title=54 401 besökte Elitloppshelgen |date=2008-05-26 |work=newsdesk.se |language=Swedish |accessdate=2009-03-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211132742/http://www.newsdesk.se/view/pressrelease/54-401-besoekte-elitloppshelgen-217869 |archivedate=2008-12-11 }}

Past winners

=Horses with most wins=

  • 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)

={{anchor|Sires with at least two winning offsprings}}Sires with at least two winning offspring=

  • 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)

=Drivers with most wins=

=Countries, number of wins=

  • 27 – {{FRA}}
  • 25 – {{SWE}}
  • 10 – {{ITA}}
  • 5 – {{GER}} combined with West Germany
  • 3 – {{USA}}
  • 2 – {{NOR}}
  • 2 – {{CAN}}

=Fastest winners=

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

  • 1:08.0 (km rate) - Horsy Dream (2024){{cite web|url=http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=27114&z=1 |title=Exploit Caf wins the Elitlopp; Enough Talk finishes third |last=Bonsdorf |first=Karsten |date=2008-05-25 |work=ustrotting.com |publisher=United States Trotting Association |accessdate=2009-03-04 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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

  • 1:16.7 (km rate) - Gelinotte (1956)

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

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

=All winners of Elitloppet=

class="wikitable"
---- align="center"

! align="left" style="background:#efefef;" | Year

! align="left" style="background:#efefef;" | Horse

! align="left" style="background:#efefef;" | Driver

! align="left" style="background:#efefef;" | Country1

! align="left" style="background:#efefef;" | Odds of winner

! align="left" style="background:#efefef;" | Winning time

----

| 1952

PermitWalter Heitman

| {{FRG}}

2.161:17.3
----

| 1953

Frances BulwarkSören Nordin

| {{SWE}}

2.251:20.6
----

| 1954

CarnéOlle Persson

| {{SWE}}

8.651:18.7
----

| 1955

Gutemberg A.Alain Deheeger

| {{FRA}}

9.851:18.9
----

| 1956

GelinotteCharlie Mills

| {{FRA}}

1.241:16.7
----

| 1957

GelinotteCharlie Mills

| {{FRA}}

1.671:16.8
----

| 1958

Io d'AmourGerhard Krüger

| {{FRG}}

1.251:18.4o
----

| 1959

JaminJean Riaud

| {{FRA}}

1.211:21.1
----

| 1960

Honoré IIRaoul Simonard

| {{FRA}}

21.041:19.1
----

| 1961

KracovieRoger Vercruysse

| {{FRA}}

3.341:20.3
----

| 1962

EidelstedterJohannes Frömming

| {{FRG}}

4.651:17.4
----

| 1963

OzoRoger Massue

| {{FRA}}

1.311:16.5
----

| 1964

Pack HanoverSergio Brighenti

| {{ITA}}

4.391:15.4
----

| 1965

ElmaJohannes Frömming

| {{USA}}

1.421:16.5
----

| 1966

RoquepineHenri Levesque

| {{FRA}}

3.241:15.3
----

| 1967

RoquepineHenri Levesque

| {{FRA}}

1.381:15.1
----

| 1968

Eileen EdenJohannes Frömming

| {{ITA}}

1.301:15.8
----

| 1969

Fresh YankeeJoe O'Brien

| {{CAN}}

2.671:15.8
----

| 1970

Eileen EdenJohannes Frömming

| {{ITA}}

21.121:15.5
----

| 1971

Tidalium PeloJean Mary

| {{FRA}}

1.801:14.7
----

| 1972

Dart HanoverBerndt Lindstedt

| {{USA}}

1.271:15.3
----

| 1973

Ego BoyIngemar Olofsson

| {{SWE}}

2.031:23.8
----

| 1974

Timothy T.Giancarlo Baldi

| {{ITA}}

2.701:15.7
----

| 1975

Timothy T.Giancarlo Baldi

| {{ITA}}

2.811:17.2
----

| 1976

DimitriaLeopold Verroken

| {{FRA}}

2.471:15.8
----

| 1977

EleazarLeopold Verroken

| {{FRA}}

3.551:16.0
----

| 1978

Hadol du VivierJean Rene Gougeon

| {{FRA}}

2.561:14.0
----

| 1979

PershingBerndt Lindstedt

| {{SWE}}

1.711:13.7
----

| 1980

Ideal du GazeauEugène Lefèvre

| {{FRA}}

3.051:13.8
----

| 1981

JorkyLeopold Verroken

| {{FRA}}

3.651:13.2
----

| 1982

Ideal du GazeauEugène Lefèvre

| {{FRA}}

2.061:13.2
----

| 1983

IanthinPaul Delanoe

| {{FRA}}

4.151:13.2
----

| 1984

The OnionStig H. Johansson

| {{SWE}}

2.341:12.2
----

| 1985

Meadow RoadTorbjörn Jansson

| {{SWE}}

5.721:11.6
----

| 1986

Rex RodneyKjell Håkonsen

| {{NOR}}

1.511:13.4
----

| 1987

Utah BulwarkStig H. Johansson

| {{SWE}}

6.311:12.1
----

| 1988

Mack LobellJohn D. Campbell

| {{USA}}

1.521:11.3
----

| 1989

NapoletanoStig H. Johansson

| {{USA}}

1.571:12.8
----

| 1990

Mack LobellThomas Nilsson

| {{USA}}

1.591:11.0
----

| 1991

Peace CorpsStig H. Johansson

| {{USA}}

1.411:12.2
----

| 1992

BillyjojimbobMurray Brethour

| {{CAN}}

2.401:11.8
----

| 1993

Sea CoveJoseph Verbeeck

| {{CAN}}

2.511:11.9
----

| 1994

CopiadErik Berglöf

| {{SWE}}

2.381:11.8
----

| 1995

CopiadErik Berglöf

| {{SWE}}

1.391:11.3
----

| 1996

Coktail JetJean-Etienne Dubois

| {{FRA}}

4.331:11.4
----

| 1997

Gum BallStig H. Johansson

| {{SWE}}

4.951:12.3
----

| 1998

Moni MakerWally Hennessey

| {{USA}}

2.201:10.6
----

| 1999

Remington CrownJoseph Verbeeck

| {{FRA}}

4.101:12.6
----

| 2000

Victory TillyStig H. Johansson

| {{SWE}}

3.101:10.5
----

| 2001

VarenneGiampaolo Minnucci

| {{ITA}}

1.471:10.7
----

| 2002

VarenneGiampaolo Minnucci

| {{ITA}}

1.321:10.2
----

| 2003

From AboveÖrjan Kihlström

| {{SWE}}

9.441:10.1
----

| 2004

Gidde PalemaÅke Svanstedt

| {{SWE}}

1.341:10.0
----

| 2005

SteinlagerPer Oleg Midfjeld

| {{NOR}}

1.861:10.0
----

| 2006

Conny NobellBjörn Goop

| {{SWE}}

4.181:09.9
----

| 2007

L'Amiral MauzunJean-Michel Bazire

| {{FRA}}

5.291:10.0
----

| 2008

Exploit CafJean-Michel Bazire

| {{ITA}}

1.781:09.8
----

| 2009

Torvald PalemaÅke Svanstedt

| {{SWE}}

4.861:10.4
----

| 2010

IcelandJohnny Takter

| {{SWE}}

8.921:10.5
----

| 2011

BrioniJoakim Lövgren

| {{GER}}

27.061:10.5
----

| 2012

Commander CroweChristophe Martens

| {{SWE}}

3.011:10.4
----
----

| 2013

NaharRobert Bergh

| {{SWE}}

5.481:10.1
----

| 2014

TimokoBjörn Goop

| {{FRA}}

2.941:09.5
----

| 2015

Magic TonightÖrjan Kihlström

| {{SWE}}

4.351:10.1
----

| 2016

NuncioÖrjan Kihlström

| {{SWE}}

3.101:09.2
----

| 2017

TimokoBjörn Goop

| {{FRA}}

30.891:09.0
----

| 2018

Ringostarr TrebWilhelm Paal

| {{ITA}}

3.471:09.0
----

| 2019

DijonRomain Derieux

| {{FRA}}

27.781:10.3
----

| 2020

CokstileChristoffer Eriksson

| {{ITA}}

4.381:10.4
----

| 2021

Don Fanucci ZetÖrjan Kihlström

| {{SWE}}

3.791:08.9
----

| 2022

EtonnantAnthony Barrier

| {{FRA}}

10.181:09.3
2023

|Hohneck

|Gabriele Gelormini

|{{FRA}}

|7.69

|1:08.9

2024

|Horsy Dream

|Eric Raffin

|{{FRA}}

|3.81

|1:08.0

2025

|Go On Boy

|Romain Derieux

|{{FRA}}

|3.35

|1:08.4

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

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category|Elitloppet}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080917003800/http://www.elitloppet.se/default-uk.asp elitloppet.se] - official website
  • [https://www.qhurth.com/trav/lopp/elitloppet.htm Kurt Anderssons Travsida] - list with full results

Category:Harness races in Sweden

Category:1952 establishments in Sweden

Category:May in sports

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1952