Thank you for everything, Varenne

by Thomas Hedlund

The greatest trotter of all time is gone.

During the night on Monday (Aug. 17), Varenne suffered a heart attack. The Italian national icon was 31.

An era has ended.

Comparing horses from different generations is, of course, an impossible exercise. The sport changes, the competition changes and the circumstances are never quite the same. But some horses don’t really need to be compared.

They simply stand above the rest.

When Swedish publication Sulkysport once ranked the greatest trotters of all time, Varenne was placed at No. 1. It seemed like the obvious choice. And there wasn’t much of an argument against it.

What argument could there be?

Varenne made his mark on both sides of the Atlantic, retired with a record of 1:51.1 and earnings of €6,038,408. No trotter in history has earned more money.

But the money wasn’t what made Varenne, Varenne.

It was the way he won.

Born in 1995, Varenne grew into the greatest trotting horse the world had ever seen. He made his native Italy proud, but his greatness extended far beyond the country’s borders. On harness racing’s biggest international stages, he wasn’t merely another participant.

He became the standard by which the others were measured.

Very few horses become symbols of their sport.

Varenne was one of them.

His influence continued long after his racing career ended. Varenne became just as important to Italian breeding as he had been on the racetrack. He spent most of his stallion career at Il Grifone in Vigone before moving to l’Equicenter in Pavia in 2019.

From 2010 through 2022, Varenne was Italy’s leading sire an incredible 13 times.

Seven of his Italian offspring became euro-millionaires: Vernissage Grif, Pascia’ Lest, Lisa America, Lana del Rio, Napoleon Bar, Twister Bi, and Tony Gio.

Statistics, however, can never fully explain the greatness of a horse like Varenne.

For those fortunate enough to watch him race, the memories are about something else.

He made the impossible look easy.

Varenne was more than a champion. He was a superstar, an ambassador for harness racing and, for many, the greatest trotter who ever lived.

Varenne is gone.

But legends never really leave us.

— Based on a column by Claes Freidenvall, Sulkysport

DREAM MINE BACK IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE

Dream Mine was second in his Elitlopp elimination and second to Allegiant in the final in 1:48.2, making him the fastest Swedish-born trotter of all time.

On Wednesday (Aug. 19) night at Solvalla, Dream Mine showed once again that his sensational Elitlopp performances were no fluke.

The 5-year-old son of Maharajah, trained by Jörgen Westholm, went wire-to-wire in the $300,000 Margareta Wallenius-Klebergs Pokal.

Mats E. Djuse had little trouble protecting the rail with Dream Mine, and when one of the major contenders, Gaining Experience, encountered problems early, Djuse was able to settle into a solid but comfortable tempo on the front end.

Dream Mine was somewhat more aggressive than usual during the race, and the early energy expenditure began to show late. Still, there was never any serious threat to the leader, who held firm to score in an impressive 1:52.1 mile rate for 2,140 meters.

“He got a little tired in the stretch because he was so keen during the race,” Djuse said in the winner’s circle. “I still felt pretty comfortable coming home, although you can never be completely sure.

“He was almost a little too fired up tonight. Dream Mine normally isn’t like that, but he still did a great job of holding everything together.”

For Westholm, the victory also fulfilled a promise made only weeks earlier.

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Johan Helander from Menhammar Stud, Christer Nordin, who owns and bred Dream Mine, and I sat down about six weeks ago. Johan had only one demand when we made the deal — that we win the Margareta Wallenius-Klebergs Pokal. Now we’ve done it. I’m heading up to my lounge to pop the cork.”

Late last month, Menhammar Stud acquired a 50 per cent interest in Dream Mine. Wednesday’s victory provided an immediate return on that investment, with the winner collecting SEK 1.5 million.

Follow Him (Father Patrick), trained by Maria Törnqvist, followed strongly from the pocket to finish second, while Keep Asking (Chapter Seven) closed impressively three-wide after a third-over trip to finish third.

BETTING PACER PROVES TOUGHEST IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MARES

Betting Pacer was three-wide for the final 600 meters and still the strongest at the wire as she

produced a tremendous performance Wednesday at Solvalla, wearing down two-time defending champion Clarissa to capture the $200,000 European Championship for mares for Björn Goop.

Clarissa and Alessandro Gocciadoro made their move from third-over with 1,300 meters remaining and were allowed to take command from Daim Brodda without a fight approximately 300 meters later.

At that point, a third consecutive European championship appeared to be there for the taking.

Betting Pacer had other ideas.

Goop launched the daughter of Maharajah from second-over with 600 meters remaining and sent her three-wide after the leader. Betting Pacer gradually wore down Clarissa, getting her head in front with approximately 150 meters remaining.

Clarissa tried to fight back along the inside, but Betting Pacer refused to yield and prevailed in a 1:53.3 mile rate for 2,140 meters.

“It’s really special that she finally put the exclamation point on her career,” Goop said. “She had never won a major race before, but tonight she got one. It’s fantastic and so well deserved. Really, she should be standing up here on the podium tonight instead of me.

“She did all the work. She’s competed in so many major races in so many countries and has always performed well. She’s a true warrior and a real iron lady. She’s continued to get stronger and improve, which is a great sign. Tonight, she felt terrific — just right on the bit, focused and ready to race.

“When Alessandro got to the lead so cheaply, I thought it might become difficult, but Betting Pacer showed a tremendous attitude tonight.”

The victory continued an extraordinary summer for Goop. During Elitlopp weekend in late May, he won three races carrying approximately $100,000 winner’s shares. A month later, he swept both $300,000 E3 finals at Bergsåker, and just last Saturday he captured the $300,000 Åby Stora Pris with Epic Kronos.

Clarissa (Exploit Caf) had to settle for second while receiving the same time as the winner.

Norwegian-bred Skylight (Readly Express) produced a powerful late rally to finish third after being tipped four-wide with 250 meters remaining.

DON FANUCCI ZET HEADS TO KYMI GRAND PRIX

The field has been finalized for Saturday’s (Aug. 22) Group 1 $165,000 Kymi Grand Prix at Kouvola in Finland.

Daniel Wäjersten has dominated the race in recent years, winning the last two editions with Borups Victory. This time he sends out Mellby Joker (Muscle Hill), who will be driven by Finland’s Olli Koivunen.

Another intriguing name is Working Class Hero (Village Mystic), who will make his first start for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro.

Daniel Redén will travel to Kouvola with two contenders, sending out veteran star Don Fanucci Zet (Hard Livin) with Örjan Kihlström and Xanthis Harvey (Propulsion), whom Redén will drive himself.

$165,000 KYMI GRAND PRIX

Horse (Driver)

Massimo Hoist (Hannu Torvinen)

Working Class Hero (Alessandro Gocciadoro)

Mellby Joker (Olli Koivunen)

Combat Fighter (Santtu Raitala)

Diamond Truppo (Jukka Torvinen)

Need’em (Iikka Nurmonen)

Don Fanucci Zet (Örjan Kihlström)

Luke The Spook (Adrian Kolgjini)

Jax Journey (Tommi Kylliäinen)

Xanthis Harvey (Daniel Redén)

FRANCESCO ZET’S SEASON OVER AFTER INJURY

Some troubling news followed Saturday’s (Aug. 15) Åby Stora Pris when it was revealed that Francesco Zet, one of Europe’s richest active trotters, had suffered an injury.

Trainer Daniel Redén provided an update Sunday, confirming that the 8-year-old’s season is over and that his racing future remains uncertain.

“Francesco Zet was injured in connection with yesterday’s start,” Redén said. “Exactly what the injury means is still unclear, and because of that we don’t know what the future holds.

“The only thing we know for certain is that his season is over. Now he will rest, undergo further examinations and receive all the time and care he needs. His health and well-being will always come first.

“Whether we will ever see ‘Francesco’ on a racetrack again remains to be seen. It’s a difficult announcement to make, but right now I don’t want to speculate or make any decisions before we know more.

“Francesco has already given us more than we could ever have asked for — unforgettable moments, enormous pride and memories that will remain in our hearts forever. He isn’t just an incredible racehorse. He’s a beloved friend and an important part of our stable.

“Now it’s our turn to be there for him.”

HAGOORT SCORES 1-2 FINISH IN GERMAN DERBY

Nine German Derby training victories — and this time Paul Hagoort did it with a one-two punch. Hagoort trainees Fragolino Rosso and Blizzard Diamant dominated the 131st edition of the $295,000 German Trotting Derby Sunday (Aug. 16) at Mariendorf in Berlin.

For regular stable driver Robin Bakker, deciding between the two contenders wasn’t easy.

“We’ve all been looking forward to this race, but choosing a horse wasn’t easy because both have shown so much ability,” Bakker said. “In the end I had to trust my instincts. It wasn’t a decision against Blizzard Diamant. It was a decision for Fragolino Rosso.”

It proved to be the right one.

Bakker moved Fragolino Rosso (Booster Winner—Miss Chablis) to the lead with a little more than one lap remaining. Stablemate Blizzard Diamant and Mats E. Djuse advanced first-over around the final turn, seemingly setting the stage for a battle between the Hagoort pair.

There was no battle. Fragolino Rosso simply drew away to win comfortably in a stakes-record 1:53.3 mile rate for 1,900 meters. Blizzard Diamant (Indigious) finished 2½ lengths behind in second in 1:54, while Lugano Cortina (Green Manalishi) and Björn Goop were third in 1:55.

Hagoort believes there may be much more to come.

“Fragolino Rosso has the potential to become something out of the ordinary, something really special,” he said. “His performances allow us, at least cautiously, to dream about what he might become. But we have to do everything right and take it step by step.

“Now the Derby is behind us, and next we’ll start planning for the winter meeting in Paris. You can dream about the Prix d’Amérique, but the horse will tell us through his upcoming races just how big we’re allowed to dream. And we shouldn’t forget Blizzard Diamant, either.”

MON JOLIE SHOCKS AT 121-1 IN GERMAN FILLY DERBY

Thomas Panschow delivered the upset of the weekend when Mon Jolie captured the €112,920 German Filly Derby at Mariendorf at odds of 121-1.

Starting from post 12, Panschow patiently worked out a trip with the Wolfgang Nimczyk trainee before finding room between horses in the final 50 meters.

Mon Jolie (Wishing Stone—Theresa As) exploded through the opening and got up in time to score in a 1:58.4 mile rate for 1,900 meters.

The upset wasn’t entirely without warning. Mon Jolie had won four-consecutive races before finishing third in her German Filly Derby elimination.

DANY CAPAR INHERITS MONTECATINI SPOTLIGHT

Everything appeared set for heavy favorite Dubhe Prav to capture Saturday night’s (Aug. 15) $115,000 Gran Premio Città di Montecatini.

Then came a costly break.

Alessandro Gocciadoro had backed Dany Capar (Exploit Caf—Sueia’ Della Luna) into the pocket behind Dubhe Prav around the opening turn. The favorite was allowed to dictate the tempo from there and appeared to have the race under control. But entering the stretch, Dubhe Prav suddenly broke stride. That opened the door for Dany Capar, who came through to capture the Group 1 event in 1:56.4.

The victory added another major Italian title to Dany Capar’s résumé. Earlier this year he captured the Group 1 Gran Premio Duomo, and his previous major victories include the Gran Premio Costa Azzurra in Turin, Gran Premio Palio dei Comuni at Montegiorgio, and another edition of the Gran Premio Duomo in Florence.