Elitloppet, held on the last Sunday in May, is widely regarded as the premier trotter race in Europe. The event brings together the best teams from around the world to compete for the prestigious prize, a testament to its name, which translates to "elite race". The Elitloppet weekend in Sweden is a highly anticipated event, drawing in around 50 thousand visitors each year.
This Grade 1 race at Solvalla Stadium in Stockholm, Sweden consists of two qualifying events and a final, all held on the same day. Horses run a mile in each stage. Originally, 12 crews competed in the qualifiers with 6 advancing to the final, but now 8 crews participate in the final.
European countries such as Sweden, France, and Germany have a rich tradition in trotting racing, boasting some of the strongest trotters and top professional riders in the Northern Hemisphere. At events like Elitloppet, it is common to see crews from these countries dominating the top positions in the race.
Since 1952, the international race has been dominated by Sweden and France, with each country securing 25 victories. Italy, Germany, and Norway, although slightly behind, are also contenders for first place in the competition.
In 1965, an American crew consisting of Johannes Flemming and his horse Alma successfully crossed the intercontinental barrier for the first time. While Flemming is originally from Germany and a representative of the German racing school, Alma's American origin qualifies them as an American team. Flemming, with 5,592 victories under his belt, has competed in various European countries and has won the Elitloppet four times with different horses.
Breakthrough in Canada
In 1969, Canadian driver Joe O'Brien and his trotter Fresh Yankee made a strong statement about Canadian harness racing at the Elitloppet, winning the mile in 1:15.8.
Joe O'Brien
The iconic Canadian racer was born on June 26, 1917 in Alberton, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Achieving his first victory at just 16 years old, he quickly rose to become the top and most renowned racer in the northern provinces of Canada. O'Brien later relocated to the United States, where he managed his own stable, trained horses, and competed. By the late 1940s, he was working as a trainer at a stable owned by the Dodge Brothers.
O'Brien has an impressive track record with multiple victories under his belt, including two Hambletonians and two Little Brown Jugs. He has claimed victory in the American Trotting Classic six times, the American Pacing Classic four times, and his list of wins spans more than a single printed page.
O'Brien was a trailblazer in the world of horse racing, becoming the first rider to win both the Hambletonian (with Scott Frost in 1955 and Blaise Hanover in 1960) and the Elitloppet. It wasn't until John Campbell achieved the same feat with Mac Lobell in 1987 (Hambletonian) and 1988 (Elitloppet) that O'Brien's impressive record was equalled.
Joe O'Brien, despite being a famous and successful racing driver, was known for his shyness and reserved demeanour. However, when it came to talking about horses, his passion, he could go on for hours.
Throughout his 35-year career, O'Brien won almost 4,000 races and accumulated $20 million in earnings. He was also actively involved in the horse racing community, serving on the board of directors of the United States Trotting Association and leading the California Breeders' Society. In recognition of his achievements, Standard bred Canada established the prestigious O'Brien Award in honour of the best Canadian racers.
Fresh Yankee
Fresh Yankee, born in 1963, was Duncan MacDonald's favourite horse and a perfect match for his driver. MacDonald, her owner, had originally bought the filly for only $900 to jog on in his free time, never imagining she would bring in a profit of $1,294,252.
Starting her career at the age of two in O'Brien's stable, Fresh Yankee won 4 out of 12 races and set 2 track records, becoming North America's first $1 million trotter. Known for her stability and smoothness on the track, she proved to be well worth the initial investment.
O'Brien and Fresh Yankee formed a strong partnership, winning race after race thanks to their coordination and understanding of each other. In 1969, they successfully competed in the Swedish Elitloppet and the German Bavarian Grand Prix, winning both races and earning recognition from the European harness racing community.
In 1970, Fresh Yankee was named the best trotter in the USA and Canada, capping off her impressive eight-year career with 89 wins, 44 second-place finishes, and 24 third-place finishes. She also set five world records, solidifying her place as a legendary trotter in the sport.
Consolidating success
In 1988, Canadian racer John Campbell achieved international fame when he won the Elitloppet with Mac Lobell, a stallion bred by Lana Lobell in the Meadowlands, USA. Campbell, who now serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hambletonian Society, is in charge of overseeing all North American trotting races.
In 1992, rider Murray Bretour and the comically named horse Billyjojimbob once again represented Canada in Europe, triumphing at the Elitloppet. Their success led to Bretour being honoured with the O'Brien Award as the top trotter in Canada that year.
In 1998, Canadian driver Wally Hennessy and American horse Movie Maker, bred by David R. Caldwell, once again showcased the talent and competitiveness of international harness racing. This event served as a reminder to the European racing community that there are formidable competitors from across the globe. The world of racing is a vast and diverse arena where individuals, horses, and nations come together in pursuit of victory. Through transcontinental competitions, the sport is continuously evolving and becoming more exciting. As we eagerly await future successes and breakthroughs, it is evident that the spirit of camaraderie, passion for horses and sportsmanship remain at the forefront of this thrilling industry.