Susanne Oscarsson’s a matriarch who keeps it all in the family

by Victoria Howard

Susanne Oscarsson was born in Sweden, a country renowned for producing some of the best trotters and horsemen in the world.

She did not grow up in a harness racing family, but as a little girl she loved being around horses and began taking riding lessons.

When the lessons became too expensive for her mother, Oscarsson got a job working in a trotting stable where she learned the ins and outs of the business for free.

That little girl has come a long way since those days.

Throughout her racing career, Oscarsson drove in approximately 1,000 races and was victorious in (approximately) 100. She also won the “Ladies SM” in Sweden and the “EM” twice in Italy.

The Oscarsson family has a notable history that has produced several successful horses and connections of prominent racing events.

Since you trained and drove yourself, where have you raced?

“I’ve raced in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Italy, and Holland. Presently, I spend most of my time in the barn helping out, leaving the heavier work to my husband and son. We have a small breeding business in Sweden, too, that I enjoy.”

You also breed standardbreds. Do you own a stallion?

“Yes, we breed and own one stallion, Aperfectyankee [Yankee Glide—Asixpakfromperfect]. Aperfectyankee was a very good horse who brought my family many wonderful memories. He won the Peter Haughton Memorial, Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, and finished fourth in the Hambletonian Stakes.

“In 2013 my husband and I decided to move to Florida to chase our Hambletonian dream and escape the cold winters. At that time, Aperfectyankee was the year’s fastest freshman trotter, after winning the Peter Haughton Memorial in 1:54.1.

“We returned to the States for a second time [in 2024], following our success in 2011-13 with our superstars Aperfectyankee and Nuncio.”

Who do you presently work for?

“I work for my husband, Jim Oscarsson. He’s taught me everything I know and we work together great.”

Do you own a farm and if so, where is it located?

“My husband and I have a little breeding business in Sweden that we absolutely love. Our farm in Sweden is managed by our daughter who keeps things running.

“We also have a house in Delray Beach and in season we race mainly in New Jersey and Kentucky.”

How are your son and daughter involved in the business?

“My son, Kevin, trains, drives, and races in Sweden. Recently he won a big race in Sweden with one of our homebreds, Logan Huntzberger. We are very proud of Kevin; he’s doing a great job.

“Our daughter Natalie is also involved. She trains and races and takes care of our farm in Sweden. Stabled there are four broodmares, our stallion, a racehorse named Muscle Rex, and our yearling, a filly by Tactical Landing. Natalie is quite busy as she also works daily with children.”

You’ve had the pleasure of working with some exceptionally nice horses. Do you have a favorite?

“I love them all, but there are three special horses. They are Dig For Dollars and Explosive de Vie (who took me to the International race at Yonkers with my son in the bike).

“And there’s also Southwind Chaska. I love this filly, but she has a big attitude. She loves to train and race, but, sometimes a little too much. She enjoys going around the farm, eating the grass, and checking everything.”

With decades in the sport, what is the most exciting time you’ve had and what do you enjoy the most?

“I enjoy meeting all the lovely and helpful people in the sport. Also, when my children win, it is thrilling. When we won the Peter Haughton Memorial with Aperfectyankee, with my husband in the bike, it was the most wonderful experience.”

Is there a particular female you admire in harness racing?

“In Sweden it would be Catharina Lundstrom, and here in the States, it is Julie Miller. She is talented, has had a lot of success, and always has a smile on her face.”

Does your husband do most of the driving? If not, who do you use?

“My husband Jim does some of our driving, but we also use Tim Tetrick, Dexter Dunn, the ‘Blues brothers’ Todd and Andrew [McCarthy], and Scott Zeron. They all are great drivers.”

Who is your fastest all-time horse?

“Southwind Chaska. She won the Bluegrass 2-Year-Old Filly Trot in 1:51.4… in 2025 with Tetrick in the bike. Southwind Chaska is a Tactical Landing—Southwind Chai filly owned in partnership with us [Oscarsson Racing Stable, alongside Dr. John Cummins].

“She is an incredible fast filly who trotted her last quarter in :26.3 finishing second in a division of the Grade 2 Del Miller Memorial. She was a half-length behind the winner Nezuko Kamado S and was race timed in 1:50.1 — the fastest mile of the year for sophomore trotters.

“Southwind Chaska is one of those dreams come true. She was purchased for $15,000 at the 2024 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.”

With racetracks closing their doors and prominent owners getting out of the business, what do you think we can do to help revive our sport to when it once was called, “the most popular spectator sport in America?”

“I think we should have a lot more open houses so people can come and watch us train and see how we care for our horses. And we need to focus more on the grooms, and those involved in the barn area. “People don’t have the slightest clue how hard it is to properly care for a horse, and especially a racehorse. People need to be educated on our sport.”

Any last words you’d like to say?

“Yes, I am so grateful for what harness racing has given me and my family, for all the many wonderful times, and to have lived a life that people only dream of.”