by Thomas Hedlund

One of Norway’s best trainers, Trond Andersen, died due to cancer on Wednesday (Aug. 11) morning.

The Norwegian champion trainer from 2003-2011 produced many great trotters throughout the years and his best horse ever was probably Yarrah Boko (1:52.1, $1,282,850) who claimed several big trophies in Europe and finished third behind Maharajah and Up And Quick in the 2014 Prix d’Amérique.

Andersen was known for his gentle treatment and behavior to other people and it was quite a shock when Andersen earlier this year announced that he was diagnosed with cancer.

His Hickothepooh claimed a ticket for this year’s edition of Elitloppet by winning the Finlandia-ajo in Helsinki in early May and the 9-year-old trotter continued to give Andersen success by winning the Ulf Thoresen Grand International at Jarlsberg, Norway, in July.

Andersen’s wife and two sons, along with the entire European harness racing, will miss a true gentleman and skillful professional.

Tough battle at Åby this Saturday

The $345,000 Åby Stora Pris over 3,140 meters (1.95 miles) is on the Saturday’s (Aug. 14) race card at Åby, Sweden and 12 top trotters are aimed for the task.

A very interesting field of horses will gather behind the gate and among them, 4-year-old Bengurion Jet (Maharajah), trained and driven by Alessandro Gocciadoro, makes the show even more spectacular. Bengurion Jet charmed the fans by winning in 1:50.3 on the night of Hugo Åbergs Memorial at Jägersro in late July and Alessandro Gocciadoro immediately accepted the invitation for Åby Stora Pris he received minutes after the race.

French stars Carat Williams (Prodigious) and Ce Bello Romain (Jam Pridem) make the race more exotic among opponents Who’s Who, Zarenne Fas, Very Kronos and Milligan’s School.

Åby Stora Pris 2021

3,140 meters

PP – Horse – Sire – Driver

1 – Ble du Gers – Quinoa du Gers – Ulf Ohlsson
2 – Pacific Face – Igor November – Giuseppe Lubrano
3 – Mindyourvalue W.F. – Hövding Lavec – Rikard N Skoglund
4 – Zarenne Fas – Varenne – Johan Untersteiner
5 – Bengurion Jet – Maharajah – Alessandro Gocciadoro
6 – Who’s Who – Maharajah – Örjan Kihlström
7 – Carat Williams – Prodigious – Matthieu Abrivard
8 – Short In Cash – Ready Cash – Björn Goop
9 – Valokaja Hindö – Great Challenger – Magnus Teien Gundersen
10 – Milligan’s School – Yankee Glide – Ulf Eriksson
11 – Very Kronos – Ready Cash – Erik Adielsson
12 – Ce Bello Romain – Jam Pridem – Anthony Barrier