Solvalla and Rome deliver classics galore in spectacular stakes weekend

by Thomas Hedlund

A spectacular weekend of trotting unfolded across Europe, with Solvalla and Rome serving up classics, records, and drama. Sweden’s biggest young horse events shared the stage with the UET Grand Prix and Elite Circuit finals, while in Italy, the Derby, Oaks, and Gaetano Turilli brought southern flair to an already electric weekend.

THE KRITERIUM: WÄJERSTEN AND STALL SOFO STRIKE AGAIN

The $650,000 Svenskt Travkriterium (Swedish Trotting Criterium) for 3-year-olds produced another fairytale for Daniel Wäjersten and owner Stall SoFo.

Twelve months after Bullet The Bluesky delivered the crown, Wäjersten repeated the feat — for the same connections — this time with Omega River (by Tactical Landing). From the moment he cleared to the front in the 1.64-mile event, the race was essentially over.

With favorite Wise Guy making a break behind the gate and Nightlife In parked the mile, Omega River never faced serious pressure and coasted home well in hand in a mile rate of 1:57. Perfect Chest (by Perfect Spirit) finished strongly for second, while Pure Count (by Googoo Gaagaa) held third inside.

It was Wäjersten’s second straight Kriterium victory, and the third consecutive win for the SoFo stable.

OAKS: RECORD-BREAKING FILLY FOR NURMOS AND DJUSE

The $500,000 Svenskt TravOaks for 3-year-old fillies turned into a battle of raw speed and stamina, and ultimately, a new world record.

After a blazing :26.1 opening quarter, Moder Teresa Sisu (by Walner), trained by Timo Nurmos and driven by Magnus A. Djuse, proved the strongest late. She re-rallied in the stretch to fend off Xanthis Kylie (by Tactical Landing), stopping the clock in a mile rate of 1:54.4, a new world record mark for 3-year-old fillies over 1.33 miles.

Bonsse Garde (by Makethemark), who raced parked for the final kilometer, fought bravely to finish third.

UET GRAND PRIX: DREAM MINE DOMINATES EUROPE’S BEST

Sweden’s Derby champ Dream Mine (by Maharajah) made it a wire-to-wire masterpiece in the $480,000 UET Grand Prix for 4-year-olds at Solvalla.

Starting from the rail, Mats E. Djuse sent the Jörgen Westholm trainee straight to the lead, and the pair were never threatened. Rival Bullet The Bluesky (by Readly Express) had to work first-over throughout, while the French contender Lovino Bello — one of the pre-race favorites — was oddly passive under Eric Raffin and never entered the fight.

Dream Mine cruised home with plenty in hand in a mile rate of 1:53.3. He’s now banked over $675,000 USD this season, making him Sweden’s leading earner in 2025.

UET ELITE CIRCUIT FINAL: INEXESS BLEU OUTDUELS DON FANUCCI ZET

The $560,000 UET Elite Circuit final for Europe’s top older trotters produced a slugfest between two heavyweights: Sweden’s Don Fanucci Zet and France’s iron-tough Inexess Bleu (by Vittel de Brevol). From the start, Örjan Kihlström controlled the pace with Don Fanucci Zet, setting comfortable fractions. But Alexandre Abrivard — driving for his father Laurent-Claude — never let the leader relax.
Turning for home, Don Fanucci Zet looked home free, yet Inexess Bleu dug in relentlessly and powered past late to win in a mile rate of 1:52.2. Mellby Jinx rallied sharply for third, while Idao de Tillard unleashed a monster :26 final quarter, showing that his top form is returning as fourth.

ITALIAN DERBY AND OAKS: KIHLSTRÖM AND GOCCIADORO SHINE IN ROME

The following day in Rome, it was Sweden’s Örjan Kihlström who stole the headlines, guiding Gabrioz (by Maharajah) to a narrow win in the $880,000 Italian Derby.
After Ginostrabliggi (by Muscle Hill) surged clear mid-stretch, Kihlström found room from the pocket and lunged late to score by a nose in a mile rate of 1:56.3 for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro.
The victory was Gabrioz’ ninth in 10 career starts and his richest to date, worth $350,000. Ginostrabliggi held second in the same time, with Galileo Ferm (by Maharajah) third.
Later that afternoon, Gocciadoro struck again in the $280,000 Oaks del Trotto as Ginger Wise As (by Love You) powered past Genny LJ in the final strides for driver Antonio di Nardo in a mile rate of 1:56.2 over the 1,640-meter trip.
Gloria Italia (by Nad al Sheba) was second, and Geiles Leben Home (by Maharajah) third.

GRAN PREMIO GAETANO TURILLI: DUBHE PRAV SPRINGS A SHOCK

Another Gocciadoro-trained favorite went down in the $165,000 Gran Premio Gaetano Turilli as Executiv Ek (by Face Time Bourbon) was collared late by 25-1 outsider Dubhe Prav (by Robert Bi).
Driver Santo Mollo handed the lead away early but found racing room in the lane and sprinted by to win decisively in a mile rate of 1:55.2. Executiv Ek settled for second, with Dany Capar (by Exploit Caf) third.

What a weekend it was — a showcase of class, courage, and unforgettable performances across Europe. From Solvalla’s young stars to Rome’s grand stage, trotting fans were treated to the very best the sport has to offer.

IN MEMORIAM: FRANCK LEBLANC (1970–2025)

The European racing community was struck by sad news Sunday (Oct. 12), as leading French trainer Franck Leblanc passed away at age 54.

Leblanc’s crowning achievement came in 2015 when Up And Quick (by Buvetier d’Aunou) captured the Prix d’Amérique with Jean-Michel Bazire in the bike. The star trotter also won back-to-back Prix de Paris titles (2014–15) and earned over $2.6 million USD during his career.

Leblanc’s passing leaves a deep void in the French and European trotting scene.