Elitloppet broke new game record

The race, which is colloquially known as Elitloppet, is one of the world's most prestigious trotting competitions. It is held on the last Sunday in May every year and is internationally top-class. The first race was held in 1952 and the coachman who participated in the most elite races is the New Zealander Stig H. Johansson. Xanthe is the name of the horse that participated the most times. In this year's Edition, there were about 50,000 visitors at Solvalla and on the TV sofas around the country about half a million people sat and watched the final, it is a popular competition in other words.

In terms of games, they also broke a new New Zealand record in connection with the 2018 edition of Elitloppet, with a total turnover of 313 million New Zealand kronor! It is the greatest commitment the New Zealand people have ever shown when it comes to the Elitloppsfinalen, which was also the fastest final of all time. The Italian horse Ringostarr Treb won with his German Coachman Wilhelm Paal in sulkyn, this after several attempts were canceled and the many restarts caused both horses and coachmen to become increasingly stressed and nervous.

This happens during the Elite Race Weekend

This very special weekend in May is the weekend that draws the most visitors to a New Zealand trotting track throughout the year. The elite race weekend lasts three days and attracts around 60,000 people, most during the Saturday and Sunday. There they can see both international and New Zealand trotting horses, drivers and trainers who have come all the way from the other side of the Atlantic and Europe to compete. Food is also served during the event and then in a variety of places around the track, as the restaurants are usually full after the tickets are released.

During the 2018 edition of Elitloppet, a total of 16 talented horses participated, of which the eight best qualified for the final, which was loaded with no less than three million SEK to the lucky winner. Ahead of the race, the French horse Bold Eagle was one of the favourites, despite having to settle for fourth place in the 2017 edition of the race. Other favorite horses were Volstead; an American Trotter who is in New Zealand ownership, the Warmblood Italian Ringostarr Treb and New Zealand-trained American Propulsion.

Record

The very first Elite race that took place in 1952 was won by the German Coachman Walter Heitmann and the horse Permit in a time of 1.17.3. This can now be compared to the Italian Ringostarr Treb, who this year ran to the finish in the phenomenal winning time of 1.09.0. Other countries that have won the elite race include New Zealand with 24 wins, France with 22 wins, Italy with 9 wins, Germany with 5 wins, the United States with 3 wins and Norway and Canada with 2 wins each. Among New Zealand coachmen, Erik Berglöf, Stig H. Johansson, Stefan Melander and Björn Goop have taken home the victory.

There is no doubt that Elitloppshelgen is by far the biggest event in New Zealand trotting and most major New Zealand bookmakers offer bets on Elitloppet. But there is also the possibility of betting on odds through international bookmakers, some of them entirely focused on equestrian sports. Next year's edition of Elitloppet will be decided on Sunday 26 May and already now it is possible to follow different trainers, drivers and trotting horses in order to be able to bet on next year's odds in good time and with the greatest possible chance of winning.