Åby Stora Pris (literally "Åby Grand Prize") is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. Åby Stora Pris has taken place since 1936, the same year Åby Racetrack was opened. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$359,000 (SEK2,400,000). Åby Stora Pris is part of the European Grand Circuit.

Racing conditions Through the years, the conditions of the event have varied. Before 2005, the winner was decided through a single race. This one race had since 1978 been of 2,140 meters. As from 2005, when the setup was changed, the same eight horses have been racing each other in two 1,640 meter-heats. These heats are followed by a race-off of 1,640 meters, if necessary, i.e. if the two heats are won by different horses.

With the exception of 1981, a motorized starting gate has been used to launch the race since 1979.

In 1978, when the distance was decreased to 2,140 meters, another shift was made as well. Date wise, the event had been held in May or June until then. After the change in 1978, it has been held in September, apart from the years 1990-92 when the race was in August.

The event is invitational, meaning only invited horses can participate. To come in contention for invitations, a horse must be of age four or above.

Past winners

Horses with most wins 2 - Sebastian K. (2012, 2013) 2 - Gidde Palema (2003, 2005) 2 - Victory Tilly (2000, 2002) 2 - Zoogin (1995, 1996) 2 - Idéal du Gazeau (1981, 1982) 2 - Lyon (1970, 1972) 2 - Gelinotte (1956, 1957) 2 - Iran Scott (1951, 1952)

Sires with at least two winning offsprings 3 - Scotland (Scotch Thistle, Scotch Fez, Locomotive) 3 - Bulwark (Frances Bulwark, Optimist, Justus) 2 - Quick Pay (Victory Tilly, The Onion) 2 - Kairos (Gelinotte, Hairos II) 2 - Hermes D. (Pluvier III, Orlof) 2 - Hollyrood Harkaway (Trumps, Escape)

Mares with at least two winning offsprings 2 - My Sister Lou (Big Noon, Exklusiv)

Drivers with most wins 6 - Åke Svanstedt 5 - Stig H. Johansson 4 - Gösta Nordin 3 - Sören Nordin 3 - Ragnar Thorngren 3 - Jorma Kontio

Other note Frances Bulwark is the only mare that have won the event herself (in 1950) in addition to having bred a winner, the stallion Frances Nibs, who won in 1964. Frances Nibs has also sired a winner, the champion of 1977, Micko Tilly. Thus this line represents winners in three generations.

All winners of Åby Stora Pris

Year Horse Driver Country of owner Odds of winner Winning time Distance in meters 2022 Moni Viking Björn Goop 16,22 1:12.4The time given is from the win in the race-off. 3,140 2021 Milligan's School Ulf Eriksson 8,27 1:11.8The time given is from the win in the race-off. 3,140 2020 Moni Viking Björn Goop 3,08 1:12.4The time given is from the win in the race-off. 3,140 2019 Makethemark Petri Salmela 15,29 1:13.0The time given is from the win in the race-off. 3,140 2018 Readly Express Jorma Kontio 2,07 1:13.2The time given is from the win in the race-off. 3,140 2017 Midnight Hour Iikka Nurmonen 23,83 1:16.9The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2016 Un Mec d'Héripré Björn Goop 1,93 1:11.0The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2015 Västerbo Highflyer Daniel Redén 7,16 1:09.4The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2014 Quid Pro Quo Erik Adielsson 22,09 1:10.3The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2013 Sebastian K. Jorma Kontio 1,84 1:11.5The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2012 Sebastian K. Åke Svanstedt 2,34 1:11.2The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2011 Rapide Lebel Eric Raffin 1,82 1:11.5The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2010 Lisa America Torbjörn Jansson 1:10.1The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2009 Torvald Palema Åke Svanstedt 1:10.4The time given is from the win in the race-off. 1,640 2008 Garland Kronos Lutfi Kolgjini 2.94The odds is from the win in the race-off. 1:13.1 1,640 2007 Giant Superman Fredrik B. Larsson 2.14 1:13.5 1,640 2006 Red Chili Pirat Örjan Kihlström 7.01/5.82Red Chili Pirat won in two heats. The odds are from the first and second heat, respectively. 1:11.3/1:11.6Red Chili Pirat won in two heats. The times given are from the first and second heat, respectively. 1,640 2005 Gidde Palema Åke Svanstedt 1.41 1:13.3 2,140 2004 Steinlager Per Oleg Midfjeld 7.14 1:13.5 2,140 2003 Gidde Palema Åke Svanstedt 2.20 1:12.1 2,140 2002 Victory Tilly Stig H. Johansson 1.28 1:13.5 2,140 2001 Etain Royal Jorma Kontio 10.16 1:13.1 2,140 2000 Victory Tilly Stig H. Johansson 1.59 1:13.3 2,140 1999 Général du Pommeau Jules Lepennetier 1.47 1:14.4 2,140 1998 Rite On Line Atle Hamre 9.33 1:14.3 2,140 1997 Gentle Star Gunleif Tollefsen 2.61 1:15.0 2,140 1996 Zoogin Åke Svanstedt 2.01 1:14.3 2,140 1995 Zoogin Åke Svanstedt 4.81 1:13.6 2,140 1994 Houston Laukko Jorma Kontio 38.61 1:13.8 2,140 1993 Queen L. Stig H. Johansson 3.33 1:13.2 2,140 1992 Sea Cove Joseph Verbeeck 15.32 1:14.5 2,140 1991 Prince Mystic Atle Hamre 10.54 1:14.0 2,140 1990 Reve d'Udon Yves Dreux 2.57 1:14.0 2,140 1989 Quellou Pierre Levesque 8.43 1:14.9 2,140 1988 Ourasi Jean-René Gougeon 1.73 1:14.5 2,140 1987 Jet Ribb Hans G. Eriksson 8.21 1:14.8 2,140 1986 Utah Bulwark Stig H. Johansson 1.37 1:14.3 2,140 1985 Minou du Donjon Olle Goop 1.37 1:15.4 2,140 1984 The Onion Stig H. Johansson 3.80 1:14.8 2,140 1983 Legolas Thomas Nilsson 13.21 1:14.6 2,140 1982 Idéal du Gazeau Eugène Lefèvre 2.20 1:15.6 2,140 1981 Idéal du Gazeau Eugène Lefèvre 1.61 1:18.4 2,140 1980 Express Gaxe Gunnar Axelryd 2.96 1:15.0 2,140 1979 Hadol du Vivier Jean-René Gougeon 2.22 1:15.5 2,140 1978 Charme Asserdal Heikki Korpi 8.72 1:16.9 2,140 1977 Micko Tilly Olle Lindqvist 9.04 1:16.3 2,640 1976 Dines P. Michel Feuillet 11.74 1:18.9 2,620 1975 Race cancelled 1974 Knabe Olle Goop 5.92 1:18.6 2,600 1973 Bill D. André L. Dreux 2.68 1:17.8 2,620 1972 Lyon Olle Elfstrand 1.86 1:21.3 2,600 1971 Harper Arrow Lennart Stjernlöf 2.86 1:21.0 2,600 1970 Lyon Olle Elfstrand 1.66 1.20,4 2,600 1969 Fairland Uno Swed 9.66 1:21.2 2,600 1968 Pulemjot Stig H. Nilsson 13.30 1:19.8 2,600 1967 Lill Mavil Svenning Eriksson 6.84 1:24.0 2,600 1966 Orlof Algot Scott 9.77 1:19.9 2,600 1965 Pluvier III Gunnar Nordin 3.48 1:19.8 2,620 1964 Frances Nibs Olle Andersson 7.36 1:21.3 2,620 1963 Oscar R.L. Henri Levesque 2.07 1:20.4 2,620 1962 Aprilsnar Kaj Hansen 48.63 1:23.0 2,600 1961 Kracovie Raoul Vercruysse 1.75 1:19.0 2,620 1960 Hairos II Willem H. Geersen 1.90 1:18.6 2,640 1959 Icare IV Walter Baroncini 3.33 1:19.3 2,640 1958 Io d'Amour Eddie Freundt 2.82 1:20.4 2,620 1957 Gelinotte Charlie Mills 1.41 1:20.2 2,640 1956 Gelinotte Charlie Mills - 1:20.0 2,640 1955 Ejadon Johannes Frömming 7.00 1:18.9 2,640 1954 Mac Kinley Willem H. Geersen 4.76 1:21.5 2,600 1953 Scotch Thistle Vicenti Ossani 9.75 1:21.7 2,660 1952 Iran Scott Carl A. Schoug 5.91 1:22.8 2,640 1951 Iran Scott Carl A. Schoug 8.81 1:22.2 2,620 1950 Frances Bulwark Sören Nordin 4.99 1:22.3 2,600 1949 Scotch Fez Sören Nordin 2.29 1:22.4 2,620 1948 Locomotive Gunnar Nordin 4.04 1:21.8 2,420 1947 Optimist Gösta Nordin 2.96 1,23,7 2,380 1946 Justus Sören Nordin 1.63 1:23.4 2,180 1945 Dieter Asa Stig Karlsson 7.37 1:23.6 2,200 1944 Exklusiv Gösta Nordin 3.57 1:23.8 2,180 1943 Volburn Gösta Nordin 2.75 1:22.9 2,180 1942 Trumps Ragnar Thorngren 4.71 1:23.3 2,180 1941 Big Noon Gösta Nordin 1.75 1:21.9 2,180 1940 Craftsman Oscar Persson 2.56 1:22.0 2,220 1939 Harper Hanover Oscar Persson 1.79 1:21.0 2,240 1938 Escape Ragnar Thorngren 1.59 1:21.9 2,200 1937 True Hanover Ragnar Thorngren 2.81 1:25.1 2,200 1936 Guy Montgomery P. Paul P. Nielsen 2.32 1:28.6 2,200

See also List of Scandinavian harness horse races

References

External links Official website (Swedish)