by Thomas Hedlund

The European report has been absent for a few weeks, due to different circumstances and it would be wrong not to mention at least the winners’ names from the weekend two weeks ago, when big races were held in France, Sweden and Italy. So here comes a short list of what happened in Europe between October 11-13.

PARIS, FRIDAY (OCT. 11):

The $550,000 U.E.T. final for older trotters, became a big success for French “iron horse” Go On Boy (Password) and his driver and trainer Romain Derieux. Go On Boy proved best among strong names as Francesco Zet, Idao de Tillard and Borups Victory as he won in a mile rate of 1:51.2 over 1.3 miles.

In the battle for 4-year-old trotters, the $440,000 Grand Prix de l’U.E.T, Daniel Redén’s Muscle Hill son Epic Kronos was more or less outstanding after a first over trip. Epic Kronos possesses all of the qualities needed to be an international star. In the hands of Örjan Kihlström, Epic Kronos won in 1:53.4 over 1.3 miles.

SWEDEN, SATURDAY (OCT. 12):

One name, one trainer, one driver summarizes the day at Solvalla. Daniel Wäjersten experienced some magical hours when he steered his Vivillion (Propulsion) to a tight but safe wire-to-wire win in the $600,000 Oaks for 3-year-old fillies and thereafter used the same recipe behind Bullet The Bluesky (Readly Express) in $800,000 Kriteriet. A memorable day for a very professional trainer and driver.

ITALY, SUNDAY (OCT. 13):

Rome, capital of Italy offered big money in the $850,000 Derby del Trotto and the $270,000 Oaks del Trotto and Mauro Baroncini trained Follia d’Esi (Ringostarr Treb) was strongest after a first-over trip in the Oaks, while Alessandro Gocciadoro’s First Of Mind (Face Time Bourbon) was outstanding in a wire-to-wire win the Derby.

Norway lost one of the country’s biggest names ever in the sport when Gunnar Eggen, 78, died on Oct. 11. Eggen won over 5,500 races and behind Sugarcane Hanover he celebrated big successes in Europe, and in the U.S. In 1988, in the historical race March of Dimes Trot at Garden State Park, Sugarcane Hanover bested world champions Mack Lobell and Ourasi, with Gunnar Eggen in the bike.

Sunday’s (Oct. 27) $250,000 Gran Premio delle Nazione, in Milan, Italy includes such really strong names, as Go On Boy, Hohneck and Gocciadoro’s quartet of Click Bait, Bengurion Jet, Dolce Viky and Always Ek. The latter took an upset win in the $170,000 Gran Premio Gaetano Turilli in Rome on the Derby Day.