One of the world’s premier races will go for 11,350,000 Swedish crowns (over $1.25 million U.S.).

by Thomas Hedlund

Swedish track Solvalla announced on Tuesday (Dec. 1) that the Elitloppet for trotters will carry the highest purse in the world in 2022, surpassing the Hambletonian, Mohawk Million and Prix d’Amerique.

The total purse — counting trials and the final — has been bumped to 11,350,000 Swedish crowns (over $1.25 million U.S.).

The Elitloppet winner has collected 3,000,000 Swedish crowns ($331,838 according to current exchange rate) since 2008, but next year the famous mile race will increase its status quite dramatically. The winner of Elitloppet 2022 will receive 5,000,000 Swedish crowns ($553,063) and that makes Elitloppet the race with highest purse in the world next year. Until now, Swedish stakes races Kriteriet (3-year-olds) and The Derby (4-year-olds) have offered higher purse money to winners than the Elitloppet.

Italian top trotter to USA

Italian-bred 5-year-old Alrajah One (Maharajah), who won the Italian Derby 2019 for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro, will cross the big ocean and settle down in America this winter.

Alrajah One was moved from Gocciadoro’s barn after the final of Gran Premio della Lotteria in Naples and Holger Ehlert has trained the 5-year-old Maharajah son until now.

According to Italian website www.gaet.it the horse will change his home address in mid-December and Åke Svanstedt will be the new trainer. Alrajah One has a record of 1:53.1 and $996,495 is banked at his account so far.

In Sunday’s (Nov. 28) $125,000 Gran Premio Duomo in Florence, Italy, Alrajah One finished third from the lead when the horse’s previous trainer Gocciadoro collected another big triumph with his Vernissage Grif (Varenne). Vernissage Grif did the tough job outside of leader Alrajah One and was the strongest horse over the stretch as he won in 1:55.1.