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Big success of Italian breed in France, Finland, Norway and at home

The last weeks have been aweseome for the Italian Trotting Sport. The horses of the beautiful country dominated some of the big races in Paris-Enghien, Seinäjoki (Finland), Klosterskogen (Norway) and Paris-Vincennes.

It’s not a new fact that the Italian trotting sport made some cornerstones by large numbers of imports – especially on the maternal side – of US-blood in the 70s and 80s of the last century, when the harness sport was prospering in Italy. (Not only) Mixed with the excellent blood of all time Italian champion sire Sharif di Iesolo, that lead to a lot of world class horses with Varenne at the absolute top, the most winning trotting horse ever with over 6 Million EUR earnings.

Let’s have a look what was happening during the last weeks. On April 19th, the now 5 year old Pascia’ Lest (Varenne – Superiors Sun – Diamond Way) won the Prix de l’Atlantique (200.000 EUR) at Paris-Enghien with Enrico Bellei over the favored Univers de Pan, Tiego d’Etang and Timoko. The colt, Italian Derby-winner of 2012, has now earnings of nearly 1 million EUR and was invited to the Elitloppet at Stockholm-Solvalla at the end of May. His first few offsprings were born earlier this year.

One day later, the same aged filly Prussia (Ken Warkentin – Elvezia – Pine Chip) succeeded at Seinäjoki, Finland, in the Prix Etain Royal (108.000 EUR) with Pietro Gubellini in the bike in a predominant style against the Swedish entrances Quid Pro Quo respectively Monster Drive and another Italian horse, Nesta Effe.

Pascia’ Lest as well as Prussia are out of the great maternal line of Medio, which is labeled as the most successful line in the history of trotting. That line is described brilliant by Dean A. Hoffman in his book „Quest for Excellence. Hanover Shoe Farms – The First 75 Years“.

On April 20th, there was also an International race in form of the Norwegian Klosterkogen Grand Prix (ca. 70.000 EUR), won by the 6 year old Italian colt Oasis Bi (Toss Out – Up Font JM – Self Possessed/ maternal line: Sally Sovereign/Maggie H.) with Björn Goop in the sulky in front of the favored double Derby winner of 2013, Swedish bred Mosaique Face.

Again one day later, only Italian horses competed at Torino in the Gran Premio Costa Azzurra (132.000 EUR). Surprisingly, the winner was the 7 year old colt Napoleon Bar (Varenne – Dalmazia – Coktail Jet/ maternal line: Mamie) with Enrico Bellei, heavy favorite Mack Grace SM (Cc’s Chuckie T. – Armbro Grace Sm – Armbro Goal/ maternal line: Mambrino Beauty) never had a chance and ended second. Both horses, together with Pascia’ Lest and five Swedish entries, are competing in the Gran Premio Lotteria at Naples, Italy, for an overall purse of 506.000 Euros on sunday, May 4th.

Last but not least we would like to talk about a Monté Race in Paris-Vincennes, the Prix Antigone (110.000 EUR). Not one of the biggest races, but the style in which it was won was terrific. The time of the winning Italian horse Nene´ Degli Ulivi (Uconn Roc – Maureen Lobell – Speedy Somolli/ maternal line: Captain Roberts mare) was 1:12,1 over 2.850 meters, a stunning mark for a race under the saddle.

Concluding should be mentioned, that the obviously most important sire line in Sweden nowadays is also from Italian breed (even, of course, we are talking about 100% US Standardbred blood): Viking Kronos (American Winner – Conch – Bonefish/ maternal line: Sally Sovereign/Maggie H.) and his son Going Kronos (out of Bell Power by Pine Chip/ maternal line: Nelly by Mambrino Sterley), both bred in Italy. Swedish champion sire Viking Kronos had and has an enormous impact in Swedish and International trotting with offsprings like Prix d’Amérique winner Maharajah, Triton Sund, Thai Tanic, Raja Mirchi, Fama Currit and many others. His son Going Kronos seems to have the power to continue the legacy of his father.

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