Sweden’s first Group 1 race of the year, the Paralympic Trot at Åby Racetrack in Gothenburg, was an easy task for the 7-year-old Borups Victory, driven by his trainer Daniel Wäjersten.
Wäjersten took Borups Victory to the lead after 600 meters, and from that point, the race was practically decided. San Moteur, driven by Björn Goop, attempted an attack, but Borups Victory held firm and secured a comfortable victory in a new race and track record of 1:52.3f (mile rate) over a distance of 1-5/16 miles. San Moteur finished second, and last year’s winner, Önas Prince, came in third.
The first-place prize was $150,000.
Borups Victory is sired by Googoo Gaagaa, a stallion who has made a strong impact in Scandinavia, producing numerous winners every week.
At Åby, finals were also held in the King’s and Queen’s Trophy with both races won by horses descended from Ready Cash.
The King’s Trophy was easily won by the Italian favorite Free Time Jepson (sired by Face Time Bourbon), driven by his trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro.
The Queen’s Trophy ended in a surprise victory as Panthere d’Inverne (sired by Brillantissime), trained by André Eklundh, took a solid win.
Each winner secured $100,000 in purse money.