by Thomas Hedlund

(Editor’s note: The following obituary was originally written in Swedish by Claes Freidenvall for Sulkysport.se It appears in its entirety here. What follows is an English translation of that story using Google translate)

Few people have meant as much to Swedish trotting as Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg and her recent passing, at age 85 leaves, a big void.

Wallenius-Kleberg was born in Maria Magdalena parish in Stockholm on Oct. 17, 1937, but it was at Menhammar Stud Farm where she spent most of her life. Menhammar Stud Farm was not only Big Noon’s domain but to a greater extent Wallenius-Kleberg’s.

As a young student, Wallenius-Kleberg was close to entering the art department, but her father Olof and mother Signe did not like it. Instead, she enrolled in the School of Economics with the aim of working in the shipping industry. Horses were a great shared interest between father and daughter and Margareta became a life-long “horse girl.”

When Menhammar Stud Farm was bought in 1947, Margareta was only 10 years old. The stud and the horses were important to her not only in success and joy but also in difficult times in life. The horses kept her buoyant. Margareta said horses always gave her something to look forward to — whether it was a mare due to foal or waiting to see if a particular breeding would be a success.

Margareta’s father Olof Wallenius ran Menhammar Stud Farm until his death in 1970. Olof died at the age of 68 and when the inheritance tax took its toll — as Margareta expressed in the book “Menhammar Stud Farm 70 years” — there were only a few horses left to continue the farm’s breeding operation.

Margareta was 33 when she took over Menhammar Stud Farm and transformed it into Sweden’s foremost breeding operation. Since 2007, Menhammar Stud Farm has been a leading breeder in Sweden and the stud also has Sweden’s most prominent stallion, Maharajah. Margareta got to experience one of her finest moments on a trotting track when Maharajah won the Prix d’Amérique with Örjan Kihlström in the sulky.

In recent years, Margareta has made enormous contributions to the sport of trotting, not least through Margareta’s Tidiga Unghästserie. She was also one of the founders of Sulkysport and its main owner up until a few years ago. Margareta protected “free speech” and that was one of the reasons why she wanted to be involved in starting an independent trotting magazine.

Margareta was also a great friend of American trotting and befriended Norman Woolworth, which led to the purchase of Zoot Suit in the 1980s and later, the acquisition of the Stoner Creek Stud in Kentucky.

Margareta was also director of the Hambletonian Society and inducted into both the “Hall of Fame” in Sweden and the USA. She also received the twelfth size medal of the Order of the Seraphim from HM the King “for outstanding contributions to Swedish business life” and an honorary doctorate at the Karolinska Institutet. She also held the commander’s insignia of the Norwegian St. Order of Olav.

IMPRESSIVE 5-YEAR-OLDS AT VINCENNES

Two $125,000 races for 5-year-old trotters were held at Vincennes in Paris on Saturday afternoon (April 15). In the mares’ division (the Prix Henri Levesque), the trophy landed in the family as Thomas Levesque drove his Iroise de la Noe (Tornado Bello) to an impressive first-over win in a mile rate of 1:57.2 over 1.6 miles.

Iroise de la Noe put hard pressure on leader Isla Jet before the last turn and defended herself bravely when pocket runner Inmarosa tried to challenge at the stretch.

Replay here.

Thomas Levesque, son of three-time Prix d’Amérique winner Pierre Levesque, has a strong weapon in Irosie de la Noe, who has nine wins in 14 attempts after the Saturday’s impressive performance.

Sébastien Guarato-trained It’s A Dollarmaker was impressive even to him when eight 5-year-old colts battled in the Prix Robert Auvrey over 1.6 miles. Eric Raffin opted for a position outside of leader and stablemate Instrumentaliste and It’s A Dollarmaker easily held the opponents behind at Vincennes’ home stretch.

Replay here.

The mile rate for It’s A Dollarmaker was 1:58 and Guarato’s trotter seems to be back in top shape. The horse started his career with nine wins in his first 11 starts and this was his second Vincennes’ triumph this spring.

DUTCH-FRENCH COMBINATION TO PARALYMPIATRAVET

Paul Hagoort-trained, French-bred Hades de Vandel (Ganymede) grabbed a spot in the Paralympiateravet final at Åby in May after a strong first over performance in Axevalla’s elimination race on Saturday afternoon (April 15).

Norwegian horse Cicero T.G. hit the lead at the first back stretch and Hades de Vandel, who began the race in second over, looked strong on the leader’s outside as the field turned into the last turn. Hades de Vandel was outstanding against his opponents on this day and driver Robin Bakker and trainer Hagoort are both well experienced in Nordique group races. Last spring, the Dutch duo won the Drottningpokalen (Chebba Mil) and Copenhagen Cup (Mister F.Daag), among other races.

Paralympiatravet’s final will be held at Åby racetrack on May 6.

ÖNAS PRINCE TO THE ELITLOPPET

Solvalla continues to invite horses to the Elitloppet via television broadcasts on Saturdays. This week, the ticket went to Per Nordström-trained Önas Prince.

Önas Prince participated in the Elitloppet last year as a 5-year-old and the charismatic Chocolatier son has impressed in his two 2023 starts.

Horses invited to the 2023 Elitloppet:

San Moteur

Etonnant

Horsy Dream

Vivid Wise As

Just Believe

Önas Prince