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SOME FACTS ABOUT 1.08.4 elitloppet 1953 3,000,000
The fastest winning time ever recorded in Elitloppet is 1.08.4, achieved by Bold Eagle in the 2017 finals. One of the most prestigious international events in trotting, Sweden’s Elitloppet (the Elite Race) is traditionally run on the last Sunday in May each year. Elitloppet Weekend features several races of the highest quality: • ASVT Trottex Auction Race • Harper Hanover’s Race • Sweden Cup • Elitkampen • Fyraåringseliten • Treåringseliten • Lärlingseliten • Montéeliten THE ELITLOPPET WEEKEND 2019 takes place between 24-26 May and is the most visited trotting event on Sweden’s trotting calendar. Around 60,000 visitors normally gather at Solvalla over the course of the weekend to see the world’s greatest horse over the one-mile sprint distance (1,609 metres) be crowned as winner. Each year, 12 horses that have distinguished themselves during the previous season are invited to participate in Elitloppet together with the winners of the four direct qualification races; Olympiatravet, Finlandialoppet, the Algot Scott Memorial and HRH Prince Daniel’s Race. Horses, drivers and trainers come from all over Europe and even from the other side of the Atlantic. The eight places in the final are contested in two qualifying races that are run a few hours before the final. The four best horses in each qualifying race go to the final to compete for the prize of SEK 3 million. The first Swedish horse to win the race was the mare Frances Bulwark in 1953. All eight finalists in Elitloppet receive prize money, from SEK 3 million for the winner down to SEK 40,000 for the eighth-placed horse. 1952 The first Elitloppet was run in 1952 under the name the Jubilee Race, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Solvalla track. The race was won by West German horse Permit. 24 23 Number of winning horses per country: The horses compete for their owner’s homeland, regardless of where they were born or are trained. 8 5 Sweden France Italy Germany 4 1 USA 1 Norway Canada 28 Stig H. Johansson has competed in the event more times than anyone else, 28 times in total with 24 appearances in the finals and 6 victories, the most by any driver. 1995 From Above won Elitloppet in 2003 with driver Örjan Kihlström. The record attendance was set in 1995, when 36,640 saw Copiad and Erik Berglöf take their second straight victory. Source: Elitloppet.se OUR WAY MENHAMMAR 27 OUR WAY PHOTO: CHRISTINE OLSSON/TT PHOTO: CHRISTINE OLSSON/TT