Our Way 1
IN RETROSPECT VINJETT BY PIA ADOLFSSON JANSSON PH
OTO KNUT ANDERSEN / CLAES KÄRRSTRAND The classic photograph of the first bend at Bjerke during the legendary 1942 race. The image, captured by Norwegian photographer Knut Andersen, was chosen as Sports Photograph of the Month by Life magazine.. THE STORY BEHIND MENHAMMAR & BIG NOON For over 70 years, a long line of successful trotting horses has been bred and raised at Menhammar, a run of success that shows no sign of abating. 22 OUR WAY MENHAMMAR I n 1947, Olof Wallenius purchased Menhammar Farm, a property on the shore of Lake Mälaren dating back as far as the thirteenth century. The land has been cultivated for over 800 years and is still used for agriculture and forestry, as well as horse training, competition and breeding. As well as a stud, the farm is also home to both people and numerous horses. EVEN BEFORE buying Menhammar, Olof Wallenius owned a large number of horses that from 1933 onwards competed for the Segerhuva Stable. Menhammar’s pride and joy, Big Noon – or the Emperor, as he was affectionately known – was purchased as a 2-year-old in 1938 and went on to become Sweden’s most renowned and beloved trotter of the 1940s. Competing in Sweden and abroad in the Segerhuva Stable’s classic green and brown racing colours, Big Noon’s