Watch out boys, the ladies are coming
by Victoria Howard
Normally, this column is about two-legged female superstars, but this week we’re shining the spotlight on some of the many four-legged female stars. After watching the sensational mare, Allegiant, win the Elitlopp it was time our four-legged gals got some praise and glory.
The Elitlopp, “The Elite Race,” is the one of the most prestigious trotting races in the world. It is held at the Solvalla Racetrack in Sweden and started in 1952. Originally named Solvallas Jubileeumslopp, the winner of the very first Elitloppet was the German horse Permit.
On May 31, Allegiant, the daughter of Tactical Landing—Too Good for You, went a monstrous mile after charging to the front and never looking back. It was as if Allegiant confidently said to the others in the race, “come and get me,” but they couldn’t.
Not only did the U.S.-bred superstar beat some of the best trotters harness racing has to offer; she shattered the world record in an incredible 1:48.
It had been 28 years since a mare named Moni Maker won the prestigious race, but Allegiant reminded us to never underestimate the power of a lady.
Allegiant trained by Daniel Redén and driven to victory by Örjan Kihlström won the Elitlopp, barefoot, in a kilometer rate of 1:07.1, for a mile rate of 1:48.
It has been said that we live in a man’s world, but watch out fellas, because the ladies are coming.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t list all the sport’s champion ladies because there are way too many, but the first thing that came to my mind when I think of champion standardbred mares/fillies, is, in my opinion, one of the best trainers the sport ever had.
Known as “The Lady’s Man,” Hall of Famer, Bruce Nickells had the Midas Touch when it came to mares.
I’m happy to say 97-year-old Nickells — yes, that’s right, Nickells will be 98 this July 5 and is still with us — is retired and living in Indiana with his daughter Brooke and granddaughter Bryce.
Between 1985 and 1993 Nickells trained the greats, Follow My Star (p, 4, T1:52.3, $1,537,503), Central Park West (p, 2, 1:53.3f, $534,863), Hall of Fame Immortal Miss Easy (p, 3, 1:51.1, $1,777,656), Hazelton Kay (p, 2, 1:53.4, $762,651), and world champion Immortality (p, 3, 1:51, $1,614,939).
Other top mares Bruce trained include the 1989 Hambletonian Oaks winner Park Avenue Kathy (3, 1:56.4, $553,521), Bruce’s Lady (p, 3, 1:53.3, $772,607), and last but not least, my favorite, the 1994 Sweetheart Pace winner Efishnc (p, 3, 1:54.1, $570,113).
Years ago, there were so many fabulous trotting mares, such as Roquepine, Une De Mai, Impish, Elaine Rodney, and Fresh Yankee.
A few top pacing mares were Countess Adios, Belle Acton, Silk Stockings, Dottie’s Pick, and Ramola Hanover, who was the dam of Romeo and Romulus Hanover.
Which brings us to the present.
Several of the sport’s royally bred females are:
• Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa—Callmemza) — A world champion with career earnings of more than $1,441,236. Her resume includes a stakes record in the Armbro Flight, the Allerage Farms Mare Trot, the Six Pack Mare Trot, and legs of the Miss Versatility Series.
• Atlanta (Chapter Seven—Hemi Blue Chip) — When she retired, she was the fourth richest female trotter with $3.5 million in earnings, and a mark of 1:49.1. She was small in size but had a huge heart. She even had a Breyer model created for her. A hard act to follow.
• Ramona Hill (Muscle Hill—Lock Down Lindy) — Winner of the Hambletonian with lifetime earnings of $1,363,050. Her yearling filly, Rani Hanover, was the highest priced yearling ($925,000) ever sold at Lexington.
• Hannelore Hanover (Swan for All—High Sobriety) — With earnings of $3,069,857, she went a world record-equaling 1:51. She was named Horse of the Year, becoming the first trotting mare ever to receive this honor since 1999.
• Peaceful Way (Angus Hall—Royal Bait) — A world champion with $2,746,240. Winner of the Breeders Crown Open Mare Trot, Allerage Farms Open at The Red Mile and the American National Open Trot. When she retired, she was the third-leading North American money winning trotting mare of all time.
• Bee A Magician (Kadabra—Beehive) — A world champion who earned over $4.1 million and won 45 races. Winner of the Breeders Crown, Moni Maker, Hambletonian Oaks, and the Peaceful Way, among others. As a sophomore she won 17 of her races and set a world record of 1:51.
• Party Girl Hill (Captaintreacherous—Look Cheap) — In the Jugette, she won her elimination in 1:49.3 — the first sub-1:50 mile on a half-mile track. In a division of the Tattersalls Pace, she became the second pacing filly to beat the boys in a race worth at least $100,000 in the last 30 years. She was once described as “a Rolls-Royce with hair.”
• Shartin N (Tintin In America—Bagdarin) — With $2,555,629 in earnings and a mark of 1:46.4, she was a world champion and winner of the Roses Are Red, Lady Liberty, Golden Girls, Artiscape, and many others. She became the fastest standardbred horse ever bred in New Zealand.
• Peace Corps (Baltic Speed—Worth Beein’) — She 1:52.4 at 3 and had lifetime earnings of $4,137,737. At one time she was the richest standardbred in history and a multiple world champion. Her wins include the Breeders Crown, World Trotting Derby, Kentucky Futurity, and Merrie Annabelle. She was also the winner of the Elitlopp.
These superstar females are just a handful of the best fillies/mares in the history of harness racing.
Yes, we’ve come a long way ladies!
