European Trotting Derby Explained

Class:Group One International
Horse Race:European Trotting Derby
Location:Various European racetracks
Inaugurated:1985
Race Type:Harness race for standardbred trotters
Distance:approximately 2,100 meters (1.31 mile)
Qualification:4-year-old European-born stallions and mares
Purse:≈US$607,000 (€460,000)

The European Trotting Derby, also called UET Grand Prix and Grand Prix de l'UET, is an annual Group One harness event that is arranged by the European Trotting Union, UET. The final takes place on a racetrack in one of the member countries of UET. The event is open for 4-year-old European-born trotters and was first raced in 1985.[1] [2] The 2009 final will be hosted by Tampere Racetrack, Finland, and has a purse of approximately US$607,000, or €460,000.[3] [4]

Racing conditions

The races

To qualify for the European Trotting Derby final, horses must progress from the qualifying races. These races takes place on two racetracks in two countries every year, in 2009 at Vincennes, France and Tampere, Finland.[5]

Distance and starting method

The distance has most years been 2,100 meters. Some years, a slight variation has been made, but the distance has always been in the interval 2,000-2,140 meters. The race has always been started by the use of auto start.[2]

Past winners

Drivers with most wins

Trainers with most wins

Sires with at least two winning offsprings

Countries, number of wins

Winner with lowest odds

Winner with highest odds

Fastest winner

All winners of the European Trotting Derby

YearHorseDriverTrainerWinning horse's native countryOdds of winnerWinning time
2008 Qualita Bourbon Joseph Verbeeck Jean Baudron 1.51 1:13.2
2007 Virgill Boko Hugo Langeweg J:r Hugo Langeweg 3.34 1:14.0
2006 Oiseau de Feux Christian Bigeon Fabrice Souloy [6] 1:14.1
2005 Conny Nobell Björn Goop Björn Goop 1.73 1:12.9
2004 Daguet Rapide Pietro Gubellini Jean-Pierre Dubois 1.65 1:14.2
2003 Naglo Örjan Kihlström Stefan Hultman 4.29 1:13.0
2002 Kiss Melody Dominique Locqueneux Pierre Desiré Allaire 2.63 1:11.7
2001 Abano As 1.90 1:12.7
2000 Com Karat Dominique Locqueneux Jan Kruithof 2.40 1:14.6
1999 Himo Josselyn Jean-Michel Bazire 2.90 1:14.9
1998 Giant Cat Nicolas Roussel Nicolas Roussel 5.07 1:15.7
1997 General November Veijo Kivijoja 3.00 1:13.2
1996 Elision Jean-Pierre Viel Albert Viel 2.62 1:15.7
1995 Derby du Gite Heinz Wewering Sylvain Leliévre 10.01 1:14.5
1994 Progress Value Lennart Forsgren Kari Lähdekorpi 22.00 1:15.1
1993 Kjell P. Dahlström Kjell P. Dahlström 1.20 1:14.6
1992 Jexpress Dahlia Jukka-Pekka Kauhanen 1.91 1:15.2
1991 Market Leader Leif Witasp Leif Witasp 11.30 1:15.8
1990 Ultra Ducal Paul Viel Paul Viel 4.01 1:15.4
1989 Tipouf Pierre Vercruysse Pierre Vercruysse 2.60 1:17.5
1988 Atas Rocket 4.37 1:16.6
1987 Rangone Jean-Pierre Dubois Jean-Pierre Dubois 2.80 1:14.7
1986 Clash Hammering 3.13 1:15.4
1985 Mack the Knife Stig H. Johansson2.20 1:16.6

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A big weekend in Italy. Bonsdorf. Karsten. 2008-11-29. ustrotting.com. United States Trotting Association. 2009-04-12.
  2. Web site: Grand Prix de l'U.E.T.. qhurth.com . Swedish. 2009-04-12.
  3. Web site: 2009 Group I races calendar. uet-trot.net. European Trotting Union (UET). 2009-04-12.
  4. In the conversion from Euro to USD, the rates of 2009-04-12 have been used.
  5. Web site: Grand Prix de l'U.E.T. - uttagningslopp. qhurth.com. Swedish. 2009-04-12.
  6. The winner Jocose was disqualified after a positive doping test. Since Oiseau de Feux was declared winner some time later, there is no winning odds.