Solvalla

Solvalla
Location	Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden
Coordinates	59°22′03″N17°56′23″E / 59.36750°N 17.93972°E
Date opened	1927
Race type	Harness
Notable races	Elitloppet, Swedish Trotting Criterium, Swedish Trotting Oaks, Jubileumspokalen
	Official website

Last updated September 29, 2019

Solvalla is a horse racing track located in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden.^[1] It opened in 1927 and is the largest harness racing venue in the Nordic countries.^[2]^[3] The last Sunday in May, Solvalla annually hosts Elitloppet, one of the most prestigious international trotting events in the world.^[4]^[5]

Bromma is a borough (stadsdelsområde) in the western part of Stockholm, Sweden, forming part of the Stockholm Municipality. Bromma is primarily made up of the parish with the same name, and the parish of Västerled. The fourth largest airport in Sweden and the third largest of the airports close to Stockholm, the Stockholm Bromma Airport, was built in Bromma in 1936.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the most populous urban area in the Nordic countries; 965,232 people live in the municipality, approximately 1.6 million in the urban area, and 2.4 million in the metropolitan area. The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Outside the city to the east, and along the coast, is the island chain of the Stockholm archipelago. The area has been settled since the Stone Age, in the 6th millennium BC, and was founded as a city in 1252 by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. It is also the county seat of Stockholm County.

Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a country in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north and Finland to the east, and is connected to Denmark in the southwest by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund Strait. At 450,295 square kilometres (173,860 sq mi), Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe, the third-largest country in the European Union and the fifth largest country in Europe by area. The capital city is Stockholm. Sweden has a total population of 10.3 million of which 2.5 million have a foreign background. It has a low population density of 22 inhabitants per square kilometre (57/sq mi) and the highest urban concentration is in the central and southern half of the country.

Major events

Elitloppet

International Group I race.^[6]
Setup: Sixteen invited horses are divided into two elimination heats. Four horses from each heat progress to the final, raced later the same day. All races are of 1,609 meters, i.e. one mile.
Date: Is always raced on the last Sunday of May.^[4]^[7]
Purse (2009, the final and the elimination heats included): ≈US$803,000 (SEK 6,100,000).^[7]^[8]^[9]

Elitloppet is always in the last Sunday in may. During the same weekend there are also the Group II races Sweden Cup and the stayer race Harper Hanovers Race, as well as Elitkampen for coldblood trotters.

Swedish Trotting Criterium

National Group I stakes race for Swedish three-year-olds.^[6]
Setup (2008): Six elimination races from which the first two horses progressed to the final eleven days later. All races 2,640 meters long.^[10]^[11]
Date (2008, the final): 5 October.^[11]
Purse (2008, the final only): ≈US$458,000 (SEK 3,200,000).^[11]^[12]

Swedish Trotting Oaks

National Group I stakes race for Swedish three-year-old fillies.^[6]
Setup (2008): Six elimination races from which the first two horses progressed to the final eleven days later. All races 2,140 meters long.^[10]^[13]
Date (2008, the final): 5 October.^[13]
Purse (2008, the final only): ≈US$286,000 (SEK 2,000,000).^[12]^[13]

Jubileumspokalen

International Group I race.^[6]
Setup (2008): 2,140 meters. Ten horses competed in the event. Some were invited, some qualified through qualification races.
Date (2008): 9 August.^[14]
Purse (2008): ≈US$281,000 (SEK 1,750,000).^[14]^[15]

Scandinavian Touring Cars

Since 2012 the venue has been used as a motor racing venue and hosts a round of the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship.

Driver champions

Since the track's opening in 1927, there have been only 14 different driver champions at Solvalla. From 1934 until 1976, one of the three Nordin brothers won every year, with the exception of 1949 and 1975. Oldest brother Gösta won ten times, as did middle brother Gunnar. Youngest brother Sören Nordin was track champion 21 times. Their father Ernst J. Nordin was champion 1928 and 1929. After the dominance of the Nordins, Stig H. Johansson took over and claimed the champion title no less than 29 times between 1975 and 2005, his last year as a driver. 27 these titles were consecutive, from 1979 to 2005. Jorma Kontio is the reigning driver champion.^[16]

Driver champions ranked by number of titles^[16]

Rank	Driver	Number of titles	Years
1	Stig H. Johansson	29	1975, 1977, 1979–2005
2	Sören Nordin	21	1942, 1944–1946, 1948, 1954, 1956–1959, 1961, 1963–1964, 1966, 1969–1974, 1976
3	Gunnar Nordin	10	1947, 1950–1951, 1953, 1955, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1967–1968
	Gösta Nordin	10	1934–1941, 1943, 1952
5	Sixten Lundgren	3	1931–1933
	Björn Goop	3	2007–2009
7	Ernst J. Nordin	2	1928–1929
	Erik Adielsson	2	2006, 2011
	Jorma Kontio	2	2012, 2013
10	Alfred Johansson	1	1927
	Carl A. Schoug	1	1930
	Erik Larsson	1	1949
	Berndt Lindstedt	1	1978
	Örjan Kihlström	1	2010

Most wins in one year

Stig H. Johansson - 194 (in 1992)^[16]

Related Research Articles

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 2012 event was SEK6,400,000, equalling approximately US$892,000. 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 1:09.0, run by the French Timoko in 2017. Elitloppet was part of the European Grand Circuit and is part of that circuit's successor, the UET Masters Series.

Åby Racetrack is a horse racing track located in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden.

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.

Zoogin was a Swedish racing trotter by Zoot Suit out of Ginjette by Lornjett.

Ina Scot was a Swedish racing trotter by Allen Hanover out of Lovina Grefgård by Mad Scot.

Queen L. was a chestnut Standardbred trotter by Crowntron out of Attila L. by Tibur.

Gidde Palema is a Swedish Standardbred breeding stallion and former racing trotter by Alf Palema out of Rosie Palema by Ideal du Gazeau.

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.

Stig Henry Johansson is a Swedish trotting trainer and former driver. He started his career as a professional trainer in 1969, and has during a large part of the career been a dominating force in Swedish trotting. He is, arguably, the greatest in Swedish trotting history. Internationally, he is regarded as one of the sport's great. Among the horses he has trained are top trotters Victory Tilly, Queen L., Peace Corps, Napoletano, Digger Crown, The Onion and Utah Bulwark. Together with these and other horses, Johansson has won numerous major races, including Elitloppet, Gran Premio della Lotteria, Nat Ray Trot (once) and Prix d'Amérique (once).

Digger Crown was a Swedish breeding stallion and racing trotter by Lindy's Crown out of O'Chita by Linus T.

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.

The Swedish Trotting Oaks is an annual national Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden. It is the biggest race for 3-year-old fillies in Sweden. The purse in the 2008 final was ≈US$286,000, of which the winner Annicka 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.

Jubileumspokalen or Solvallas Jubileumspokal is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden. Jubileumspokalen has taken place since 1977. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$281,000 (SEK1,750,000).

Sprintermästaren is an annual international Group One harness event for trotters. It is held at Halmstad Racetrack in Halmstad, Sweden, and is a stakes race for 4-year-olds. The purse in the 2011 final was ≈US$288,000 (€200,000), of which the winner Orecchietti won half. The event is sometimes referred to as "Sweden's Hambletonian".

Sundsvall Open Trot is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Bergsåker Racetrack in Sundsvall, Sweden. Sundsvall Open Trot has taken place since 1996. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$273,000 (SEK1,750,000).

Nuncio is a dark racing trotter by Andover Hall out of Nicole Isabelle by Lindy Lane. Nuncio is owned and trained by Stefan Melander at Åby-Farm, Enköping, Sweden.

References

↑ "Här finns vi". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
↑ "Solvallas historia". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2009-02-22. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
↑ "Besök Solvalla". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
1 2 Berg, Leif (2007-05-27). "Fransk smygare vann Elitloppet". dn.se (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
↑ Kentell, Mark (2008-05-24). "'Elitlopp' most prestigious race in the World". harnesslink.com. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
1 2 3 4 "Grupplöpningar 2009" (PDF). travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
1 2 "Travsport - Resultat". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
↑ "Resultat - Elitloppet, försök 1". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
↑ In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2009-05-31, the date of the 2009 Elitloppet, have been used.
1 2 Lindberg, Johan. "120 treåringar jagar plats i Kriteriet och Oaks" (PDF). travsidan.nu (in Swedish). Retrieved 2009-03-31.
1 2 3 "Resultat - Svenskt Travkriterium 2008". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
1 2 In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2008-10-05, the date of the 2008 final, have been used.
1 2 3 "Resultat - Svenskt Trav-Oaks 2008". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
1 2 "Resultat - Jublieumspokalen". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
↑ In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2008-08-09, the date of the 2008 race, have been used.
1 2 3 "Solvalla champions genom tiderna". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-13.

External links

(in Swedish) Official website
Venue information

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[1] "Här finns vi". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[Solvalla_-_Solvallas_historia-2] "Solvallas historia". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2009-02-22. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[3] "Besök Solvalla". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[DN-4] 1 2 Berg, Leif (2007-05-27). "Fransk smygare vann Elitloppet". dn.se (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[5] Kentell, Mark (2008-05-24). "'Elitlopp' most prestigious race in the World". harnesslink.com. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[Grupplöpningar_2009-6] 1 2 3 4 "Grupplöpningar 2009" (PDF). travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[Resultat_Elitloppet_2009-7] 1 2 "Travsport - Resultat". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-06-05.

[8] "Resultat - Elitloppet, försök 1". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-06-05.

[9] In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2009-05-31, the date of the 2009 Elitloppet, have been used.

[120_treåringar_jagar_plats_i_Kriteriet_och_Oaks-10] 1 2 Lindberg, Johan. "120 treåringar jagar plats i Kriteriet och Oaks" (PDF). travsidan.nu (in Swedish). Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[Resultat_-_Svenskt_Travkriterium_2008-11] 1 2 3 "Resultat - Svenskt Travkriterium 2008". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[ReferenceA-12] 1 2 In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2008-10-05, the date of the 2008 final, have been used.

[Resultat_-_Svenskt_Trav-Oaks_2008-13] 1 2 3 "Resultat - Svenskt Trav-Oaks 2008". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[Resultat_-_Jublieumspokalen_2008-14] 1 2 "Resultat - Jublieumspokalen". travsport.se (in Swedish). STC. Retrieved 2009-03-31.

[15] In the conversion to USD, the rates of 2008-08-09, the date of the 2008 race, have been used.

[Solvalla_champions_genom_tiderna-16] 1 2 3 "Solvalla champions genom tiderna". solvalla.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-13.