by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

Brad de Veluwe, a 4-year-old son of Andover Hall, won the Sprintermästaren at Halmstad on Thursday night (July 5) in a new world record for 4-year-old horses, 1:52.1f.

The Sprintermästaren is raced in the old Hambletonian way, with eliminations and a final on the same day, however in Sweden the race is for 4-year-olds.

Kanal 75 photo

Brad de Veluwe won the final in a world record clocking of 1:52.1f.

Brad de Veluwe won his elimination in 1:54.1f and the other eliminations were won by Fawkes (sired by SJ’s Caviar) in 1:54.2f and Panne de Moteur (sired by Credit Winner) in 1:53.4f. The latter winner was very impressive, as he was parked out the whole trip and had to trot without cover.

Panne de Moteur with Ôrjan Kihlström in the bike was made the even money favorite in the final, but Brad de Veluwe, driven by trainer Tuomas Korvenoja, left quickly behind the gate and went to the lead and stayed there to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:52.1f. Panne de Moteur finished second, while Fawkes with Ake Svanstedt was third.

The purse for the winner was $125,000.

Brad de Veluwe was actually born in Denmark, but registered in Finland. Last year he won the Finnish Trotting Kriterium — the biggest race for 3-year-old trotters in that country. In Italy Brad de Veluwe won the renowned Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli and in Norway the Ulf Thoresens Memorial.

He has now raced 19 times, winning 16 races, and has earned $735,000.

Brad de Veluwe will now be headed for the Finish Trotting Derby to be raced in late August. But next year he will be aimed for the Elitlopp, Tuomas Korvenoja said.