by Karsten Bønsdorf

The 4-year old Swedish trotter Maharajah, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström was a very easy winner of The European Trotting Derby – the Grand Prix de l’UET over 1 5-16 mile with a purse for the winner of $335.000.

The Swedish trainer Stefan Hultman praised Maharajah after the impressive win at Tammersfors in Finland Saturday afternoon.

“I believe that this is by far the best trotter I’ve ever trained. He still trots with heavy shoes and earplugs in races and I can train him harder”, Hultman said after the win.

And that is big words from the trainer of international top trotters like From Above and Naglo.
Maharajah was in a class of his own at Tammerfors yesterday.

Kihlström was easy on him from start, but after the first quarter, he went after the lead and got it.

Going into the last lap the French trotter Royal Crown with renowned horseman Jan Pierre Dubois made a successful attack at Maharajah and was suddenly 5 lengths in front.

“I was never frightened – I just got Maharajah putting his things together and after the next quarter we were in front again – and stayed there”, Kihlström said.

And in a hand drive Maharajah and Ôrjan Kihlström won the 25th edition of the European Trotting Derby in 1.57f (mile rate)

Maharajah was 10 lengths plus in front of the Roc Meslois of France, who took second, while Insect Face and Reven d’Amour of Sweden were third and fourth. Royal Crown stayed on to finish fifth, though she was very tired.

Maharajah is sired by Viking Kronos, who is one of the best stallions to stand in Europe. Viking Kronos is Italian bred, but in fact he’s a real American, as his father is American Winner and his dam Conch, she the dam of now deceased King Conch.

The dam of Maharajah is Chili Khan, who had a record of 1.57.3f and won 10 races from 35 starts. She is by Giant Chill – he by Speed Crown.

Maharajah is owned by Travkompaniet, who has more than 4,000 stock holders and he is bred by Hambletonian director Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg.

Maharajah has now raced 19 times and won 14 races. Yesterday he became a millionaire in dollars, as he now has earned $1.08 million.