| Group One International race | |
| Location | Bjerke Racetrack Oslo, Norway |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1966 |
| Race type | Harness race for standardbred trotters |
| Website | www.bjerke.no/Oslo-Grand-Prix |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,100 meters (1.31 mile) |
| Track | Left-handed 1,000 meter track (0.62 mile) |
| Qualification | Invitational |
| Purse | ≈US$427,000 (NOK 2.87 million, ≈€308,000) |
Oslo Grand Prix is an annual Group One harness event that takes place at Bjerke Racetrack in Oslo, Norway. [1] The competition was inaugurated in 1966 and is regarded as Norway's biggest trotting event. [2] [3] It is raced over 2,100 meters and is part of the European Grand Circuit. The overall purse for the 2009 event was 2.87 million Norwegian kroner (NOK), equalling approximately US$427,000 or €308,000. [2] [4] The fastest winning time in the history of the race is 1:11.5, run by L'Amiral Mauzun in 2008. [5]
Oslo Grand Prix is since 1981 been decided through a race over 2,100 meter. Before that, the event had different looks. In the debut year, 1966, the event consisted of two heats over different distances (1,600 and 2,100 meters). The same eight horses competed in both heats and the winner was the horse with the best total ranking. These conditions were altered the second year, 1967. Two heats were still used, but this year they were over 1,700 and 2,100 meters, with richer horses starting 20 meters behind. 1973 the event went back to being decided over one 1,600 and one 2,100 heat. Between 1976 and 1980, 16 horses competed, divided into two elimination heats, from which a number of horses progressed to the final the same day. In 1976, both the eliminations and the final were over 1,700 meters. In 1978 autostart (a motorized gate) was introduced, and the Oslo Grand Prixs of 1978-1980 consisted of eliminations heat over 1,600 meters followed by finals over 2,100 meters. From 1981, the present conditions have been ruling. One single race over 2,100 meters, started by a motorized gate. [6]
May 13 2012
Roxane Grif - Eric Raffin
Yarrah Boko - Kai Johansen Quarcio du Chene - Björn Goop Timoko - Richard Westerink
Arch Madness - Trond Smedshammer Commander Crowe - Christophe Martens
Viking Frecel - Vidar Hop
Windsong Geant - Rick Zeron Beanie M.M. - Johnny Takter Joke Face - Lutfi KolgjiniBased on the nationalities of the winning horses' owners:
Sweden France Norway United States 
Denmark 
Germany 
Italy 
Netherlands 
Switzerland | Year | Winner | Driver | Trainer | Owner | Km. Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Scott Protector | Karsten Buer | Karsten Buer | Asbjørn Jensen | 1:23.0 |
| 1967 | Xanthe | Gösta Nordin | Robert Westergren | Robert Westergren | 1:23.6 |
| 1968 | Race cancelled | ||||
| 1969 | Baron Gruff | Gösta Nordin | Gösta Nordin | Stall Gruff | 1:23.5 |
| 1970 | Race cancelled | ||||
| 1971 | Unor | Lars Axelsson | Lars Axelsson | Stall Montigny | 1:19.5 |
| 1972 | Noble Action | Sören Nordin | Sören Nordin | Stall Hak / Stall Idre | 1:18.1 |
| 1973 | Gaby Bulwark | Sören Nordin | Sören Nordin | Stall Rol Christ / Fello / Opal | 1:18.6 |
| 1974 | Boett | Sören Norberg | Sören Norberg | Karl Adolfsson | 1:21.0 |
| 1975 | Hassan Star | Kjell P. Dahlström | Kjell P. Dahlström | Ulla Dahlström | 1:19.1 |
| 1976 | Grande Frances | Ulf Thoresen | Bengt Arvidsson | Stall Oskar | 1:19.7 |
| 1977 | Race cancelled | ||||
| 1978 | Grande Frances | Ulf Thoresen | Bengt Arvidsson | Stall Oskar | 1:17.0 |
| 1979 | Hillion Brillouard | Philippe Allaire | Christian Riviere | Ch. Riviere | 1:19.9 |
| 1980 | Express Gaxe | Gunnar Axelryd | Gunnar Axelryd | Stall Bafata | 1:17.1 |
| 1981 | Pamir Brodde | Karl Erik Nilsson | Karl Erik Nilsson | Stall Point | 1:16.3 |
| 1982 | Zorrino | Tommy Hanné | Tommy Hanné | Ingvar Andersson | 1:18.9 |
| 1983 | E.O. Brunn | Bo William Takter | Bo William Takter | Stall Tranen | 1:15.6 |
| 1984 | Hickory Almahurst | Ulf Nordin | Ulf Nordin | M. C. Andersen | 1:16.3 |
| 1985 | Ogorek | Michel Roussel | Michel Roussel | Jean Pachoud | 1:16.0 |
| 1986 | Rex Rodney | Kjell Håkonsen | Kjell Håkonsen | Torleif Thu | 1:14.7 |
| 1987 | Rex Rodney | Kjell Håkonsen | Kjell Håkonsen | Torleif Thu | 1:13.7 |
| 1988 | Sugarcane Hanover | Gunnar Eggen | Gunnar Eggen | Stall Cheval | 1:12.5 |
| 1989 | Ourasi | Michel Marcel Gougeon | Jean Rene Gougeon | R. Ostheimer | 1:13.5 |
| 1990 | Meadow Roland | Preben Kjærsgaard | Preben Kjærsgaard | M. Duckert / Stald E.H. / Stut. Focus | 1:13.8 |
| 1991 | Peace Corps | Stig H. Johansson | Stig H. Johansson | AB Gnägget | 1:14.1 |
| 1992 | Sea Cove | Joseph Verbeeck | Harald Grendel | Gestut Cicero | 1:14.6 |
| 1993 | Nordin Hanover | Olle Goop | Olle Goop | Håkan Andersson | 1:14.3 |
| 1994 | Copiad | Erik Berglöf | Erik Berglöf | Stall Succé | 1:12.7 |
| 1995 | Copiad | Erik Berglöf | Erik Berglöf | Stall Succé | 1:12.7 |
| 1996 | Ina Scot | Helen A. Johansson | Kjell P. Dahlström | Ina Q AB / Kjell Dahlström AB | 1:12.9 |
| 1997 | Zoogin | Åke Svanstedt | Åke Svanstedt | Håkan Anderssons Åkeri | 1:14.6 |
| 1998 | Huxtable Hornline | Joseph Verbeeck | Anders Lindqvist | Leverre International S.A.  | 1:13.2 |
| 1999 | Ganymede | Jean Pierre Dubois | Jean Pierre Dubois | Daniel Wildenstein | 1:12.6 |
| 2000 | Victory Tilly | Stig H. Johansson | Stig H. Johansson | Stall Kalas | 1:12.0 |
| 2001 | Giant Cat | Nicolas Roussel | Nicolas Roussel | Mme. Bernard Bessiere | 1:12.1 |
| 2002 | Brads Photo | Wilhelm Pal | Holger Ehlert | Scuderia Vilenzo | 1:13.9 |
| 2003 | Gidde Palema | Åke Svanstedt | Åke Svanstedt | Stall Palema | 1:12.2 |
| 2004 | Gidde Palema | Åke Svanstedt | Åke Svanstedt | Stall Palema | 1:11.7 |
| 2005 | Steinlager | Per Oleg Midtfjeld | Per Oleg Midtfjeld | Knut Olausson | 1:12.5 |
| 2006 | Mara Bourbon | Erik Adielsson | Jean Pierre Dubois | Jean Pierre Dubois | 1:13.2 |
| 2007 | Super Light | Jörgen Westerholm | Jörgen Westerholm | Stall Velvet Trav AB | 1:12.2 |
| 2008 | L’Amiral Mauzun | Tony Le Beller | Jean-Philippe Ducher | Comte Paul de Senneville | 1:11.5 |
| 2009 | Russel November | Hugo Langeweg, Jr | Hugo Langeweg, Jr | Stal Amsterdam | 1:14.3 |
| 2010 | Lisa America | Jorma Kontio | Jerry Riordan | Guida Italia Sc | 1:11.7 |
| 2011 | Arch Madness | Björn Goop | Trond Smedshammer | Marc D. Goldberg / Willow Pond LLC | 1:11.5 |
| 2012 | Commander Crowe | Christophe Martens | Fabrice Souloy | Snogarps Gård AB | 1:11.5 |
| 2013 | Sebastian K. | Åke Svanstedt | Åke Svanstedt | Knutsson Trotting AB | 1:12.8 |
| 2014 | Univers de Pan | Philippe Daugeard | Philippe Daugeard | M. Olivier Horvath | 1:11.9 |
| 2015 | B.B.S. Sugarlight | Peter Untersteiner | Fredrik Solberg | Stall Sugarlight & Gunnar Karlsen | 1:11.3 |
| 2016 | Your Highness | Bjørn Goop | Fabrice Souloy | P.V.Racing Stable HB & Ullo AB | 1:10.5 |
| 2017 | Twister Bi | Christoffer Eriksson | Jerry Riordan | Pasquale Ciccarelli | 1:12.6 |
| 2018 | Evil Enok M.E. | Noralf Brækken | Noralf Brækken | Stall Forza Fugla | 1:11.1 |
| 2019 | Vitruvio | Jorma Kontio | Alessandro Gocciadoro | Scuderia Pink & Black S.R | 1:11.6 |
| 2020 | Blé du Gers | Per Oleg Midtfjeld | Frode Hamre | Ecurie J.M. Rancoule | 1:10.0 |
| 2021 | Blé du Gers | Åsbjörn Tengsareid | Frode Hamre | Ecurie J.M. Rancoule | 1:12.5 |
| 2022 | Stoletheshow | Frode Hamre | Frode Hamre | Global Glide AB | 1:10.5 |
Elitloppet or Solvallas Internationella Elitlopp is an annual, invitational Group One harness event that has taken place at Solvalla Racetrack in Stockholm, Sweden, since 1952. 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. The overall purse for the 2022 event was SEK11,350,000, equalling approximately US$1,073,000. In 2002 the Italian champion Varenne,, 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. Elitloppet was part of the European Grand Circuit and is part of that circuit's successor, the UET Masters Series.
The Alna Line is a 4.3-kilometer (2.7 mi) railway line between Alnabru and Grefsen in Oslo, Norway. The single track line allows direct access between the Trunk Line and the Gjøvik Line, without having to pass via Oslo Central Station. The line is electrified and is owned by the Norwegian National Rail Administration. It is exclusively used by freight trains, and allows trains on the Bergen Line to reach Alnabru Freight Terminal.
Solvalla is a horse racing track located in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. It opened in 1927 and is the largest harness racing venue in the Nordic countries. The last Sunday in May, Solvalla annually hosts Elitloppet, one of the most prestigious international trotting events in the world.
Victory Tilly is a Swedish former racing trotter by Quick Pay out of Icora Tilly by Fakir du Vivier.
Copiad was a Swedish breeding stallion and former racing trotter by Texas out of Bibbi Girl by Big Lama.
Ina Scot was a Swedish racing trotter by Allen Hanover out of Lovina Grefgård by Mad Scot.
Åby Stora Pris is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. Åby Stora Pris has taken place since 1936, the same year Åby Racetrack was opened. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$359,000 (SEK2,400,000). Åby Stora Pris is part of the European Grand Circuit.
Olympiatravet is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. The event was carried through for the first time in 1979. In 2009, the purse of the final was approximately US$326,000 (SEK2,750,000).
The Swedish Trotting Derby is an annual national Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Jägersro Racetrack in Malmö, Sweden. It is by many considered the most prestigious Swedish event for 4-year-old racing horses. The purse in the 2010 final was ≈US$442,000, of which the winner, Joke Face, won half.
The Swedish Trotting Criterium is an annual national Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden. It is considered one of the classic trotting events in Sweden as well as the most prestigious Swedish event for 3-year-old trotters. The purse in the 2008 final was ≈US$458,000, of which the winner Maharajah won half.
Konung Gustaf V:s Pokal or, in shorter form, Kungapokalen, is an annual international Group One harness event for trotters. It is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. It is a stakes race for 4-year-old stallions and geldings. The purse in the 2009 final was ≈US$273,000 (€200,000), of which the winner Knockout Rose won half.
Hugo Åbergs Memorial is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Jägersro Racetrack in Malmö, Sweden. Hugo Åbergs Memorial has taken place since 1970. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$291,000 (SEK1,750,000). Hugo Åbergs Memorial is part of the European Grand Circuit.
Gran Premio Lotteria, or Gran Premio della Lotteria, or in short, Lotteria, is an annual Group One harness event that takes place at Agnano Racetrack in Naples, Italy. The competition, which was inaugurated in 1951, is regarded as one of the most prestigious international events in trotting. The winner is decided through three qualifying heats and a subsequent final later the same day. Both the eliminations and the final are raced over 1,600 meters. Gran Premio Lotteria is part of the European Grand Circuit and the overall purse for the 2009 event was €600,600, equalling approximately US$795,000. The fastest winning time in the history of the race is 1:10.5, run by Timone Ek in 2017.
The European Trotting Derby, also called UET Grand Prix and Grand Prix de l'UET, is an annual Group One harness event that is arranged by the European Trotting Union, UET. The final takes place on a racetrack in one of the member countries of UET. The event is open for 4-year-old European-born trotters and was first raced in 1985. The 2009 final will be hosted by Tampere Racetrack, Finland, and has a purse of approximately US$607,000, or €460,000.
The Union Europeenne du Trot, or in English, the European Trotting Union, also known by its acronym, UET, is the governing body of European trotting. The federations main purpose "is the promotion of trotting races and horse breeding in Europe as well as their integrity and prestige in the world". Its headquarters are in the country of the General Secretariat and the federation's current president is Swedish Patrik Sandin. UET has 18 member associations.
The 5-year-old European Championship, also called European 5-year-old Championship, is an annual Group One harness event that is arranged by the European Trotting Union, UET. The race takes place on a racetrack in one of the member countries of UET. The contenders are chosen by the different national trotting federations that are members of UET. Only 5-year-old European-born stallions and mares can be selected. The 5-year-old European Championship was raced for the first time in 1967.
Finlandia-Ajo is an annual Group One harness event that takes place at Vermo Racetrack in Espoo, Finland. The competition, which was inaugurated in 1980, is regarded as Finland's biggest trotting event. It is raced over the mile, 1,609 meters. Finlandia-Ajo is part of the European Grand Circuit and the overall purse for the 2009 event was €190,000, equalling approximately US$247,000.
UET Masters Series is a harness racing series arranged by European Trotting Union. It was launched in 2012 as a successor of European Grand Circuit that was competed since 1956.
Leangen Travbane is a harness racing course located at Leangen in Trondheim, Norway. The race course is owned by the Norwegian Trotting Association and its parimutuel betting is handled by Norsk Rikstoto. Through this arrangement it is the only equine tote betting establishment in Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal.
Bjerke Travbane is a harness racing track located in the Bjerkebanen neighborhood of the Bjerke borough in Oslo, Norway. The course is 1,000 meters (3,300 ft). Owned by Norwegian Trotting Association, its tote betting is handled by Norsk Rikstoto. The venue opened in 1928 and is the busiest harness racetrack in Norway, with 115 racedays in 2012.