Borups Victory dominates Oslo Grand Prix
by Thomas Hedlund
Bjerke Racetrack in Oslo played host to the $212,000 Oslo Grand Prix for older trotters over 2,100 meters on Sunday (June 14), and the outcome was largely as expected. Borups Victory delivered a performance that required no apologies.
Everything appeared to set up perfectly beforehand for Daniel Wäjersten’s star. Drawn favorably behind the gate, the handsome 8-year-old enjoyed a straightforward path to the front.
Robert Bergh sent Get A Wish aggressively to the lead at the start but had little interest in controlling the pace and willingly yielded to Borups Victory after 400 meters.
The tempo remained honest throughout, largely because Epic Kronos was parked first-over for Örjan Kihlström. Epic Kronos looked imposing on the leader’s outside and the pair traveled at a strong, even pace from start to finish. Ultimately, however, the trip proved too demanding for the challenger.
Turning for home, Kihlström likely realized that Borups Victory was too hard to beat and when he elected to drop Epic Kronos into the pocket entering the stretch, the race was effectively over.
Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) strode away impressively to win in a race-record 1:52.2 mile rate over 2,100 meters.
“Both horses raced great,” Wäjersten said afterward. “Borups Victory really has no weaknesses and on top of that he has an incredible mentality. I could stand here for 45 minutes talking about him — he can do everything. This is a huge win. I’ve watched this race since I was 10 years old, and now I’ve been fortunate enough to compete in it the last few years.”
And yes, both horses raced well.
Stablemate Kuiper (Face Time Bourbon) unleashed a tremendous rally from fourth- and fifth-over and nearly got by Epic Kronos late for second. Epic Kronos held gamely for runner-up honors, while defending champion Kentucky River (Father Patrick) finished fourth after tracking the cover flow from second-over.
The victory was Borups Victory’s eighth Group 1 triumph, adding to an already stellar résumé that includes the Hugo Åbergs Memorial, Paralympiatravet, two Kymi Grand Prix victories, and three wins in the Seinäjoki Race.
CASTOR THE STAR UPSETS THE ELITE IN BODEN
A quick beginning, a pocket trip behind Mellby Jinx, and a perfectly timed stretch move.
That was the recipe for success as Castor The Star captured the $200,000 Norrbottens Stora Pris under the midnight sun in Boden on Saturday (June 13).
The script seemed written for a third victory in the race by Francesco Zet, but when Örjan Kihlström failed to protect the lead against Mellby Jinx, the task became significantly tougher for the Daniel Redén trainee.
Francesco Zet was already under pressure with 500 meters remaining while Mellby Jinx had opened up several lengths after a blistering first kilometer rated in 1:51.4 mile-rate speed.
Mats E. Djuse likely felt victory was within reach as he turned for home aboard Mellby Jinx, especially with heavy favorite Francesco Zet already well beaten.
But sitting directly behind the leader was Castor The Star (Maharajah), traveling strongly. Midway through the stretch, Mika Forss tipped Jörgen Westholm’s 8-year-old to the outside and the response was immediate.
In a matter of strides Castor The Star swept past Mellby Jinx and handed Djuse a defeat aboard what is normally one of his regular mounts. Djuse is the usual driver of Castor The Star, but serves as Daniel Wäjersten’s primary catch-driver behind Mellby Jinx whenever Wäjersten elects not to drive himself.
“We’ve had a lot of success together with Jörgen over the years,” said a jubilant Forss. “When his horses are right, they’re easy to drive. During the race he felt alert, young, and eager. To beat Elitlopp horses is a lot of fun. I joked with Westholm before the races today that the last time we won together here the first prize was only 500,000 Swedish crowns. Today it was a million.”
The victory was by far the biggest of Castor The Star’s career. His previous top payday came when he finished second to Francesco Zet in this same event two years ago.
IDAO DE TILLARD HEADS PRIX RENÉ BALLIÈRE
Following the first round of declarations, 15 horses remain in the Group 2 $220,000 Prix René Ballière at Vincennes on Sunday (June 21).
Several major names have already come out of the race, including Inexess Bleu, Hokkaido Jiel, Koctel du Dain, and Inmarosa, which certainly improves the prospects of Idao de Tillard (Severino).
The Elitlopp contingent includes not only Idao de Tillard but also Jabalpur (Booster Winner) and Keep Going (Follow You). They will face a fresh challenge from Free Time Jepson (Face Time Bourbon), making his first start since sweeping both the elimination and final of the Gran Premio della Lotteria.
Jabalpur set a world record in this race last year with a 1:50.3 mile rate over 2,100 meters, but that mark is safe this season as the race has been changed to 2,700 meters with standing start conditions.
HEAT WAVE FORCES HISTORIC CHANGE AT VINCENNES
An extreme heat wave expected to hit France this weekend has forced the French Trotting Association to activate contingency plans for Sunday’s (June 21) card at Vincennes.
First post has been moved all the way up to 8:30 a.m. CET after weather forecasts projected temperatures of 38 – 40°C (100 – 104°F) across large portions of the country.
By shifting the entire program forward, officials hope to complete all nine races under significantly cooler conditions.
The final race is scheduled for approximately 1:15 p.m., several hours earlier than a normal Sunday program.
While Vincennes has adjusted start times before — most notably during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between France and Argentina — hosting a Sunday card with first post at 8:30 a.m. is unprecedented.
WISE GUY IMPRESSES AT SOLVALLA
Wise Guy delivered a tremendous effort in Wednesday’s (June 17) $100,000 Prix Calgary Games at Solvalla.
From third-over, Örjan Kihlström launched the Daniel Redén-trained colt three-wide with 700 meters remaining and the son of Face Time Bourbon wore down both pacesetter Papillon Boko and first-over challenger Zarex in deep stretch. Wise Guy stopped the clock in 1:54.1 over 2,100 meters.
The 4-year-old enjoyed a highly successful campaign for Per Nordström last season, setting a world record of 1:54.1 in the Breeders Course final on Elitloppet weekend before adding the Swedish E3 Long final later in the year. He transferred to Daniel Redén at the end of 2025.
MODER TERESA SISU RETURNS TO WINNING FORM
The same evening featured the $50,000 Prix Diana Zet for 4-year-old mares. Moder Teresa Sisu (Walner), trained by Timo Nurmos and driven by Magnus A. Djuse, secured victory after tracking the leader Lust For Life throughout.
Djuse found racing room with 150 meters remaining and last year’s Oaks champion surged through late to prevail in a sharp finish.
Moder Teresa Sisu captured the Swedish Oaks last season in a world-record 1:54.4 mile rate over 2,140 meters. Wednesday’s victory was her first of the season and came in 1:55.2.
