Stockholm, Sweden — French trotter, Dijon with trainer/driver Romain Derieux was first past the post in the final after he had been leading the field from start on Sunday (May 26) at Solvalla.

Dijon, who raced from post position 5, was able to go past favorite Aubrion du Gers with Jos Verbeeck from post position 1, and Derieux could control the race afterward.

But down the stretch, Dijon became rough gaited, but he still managed to get first past the post.

In Scandinavia, a horse must be full of trot past the post, but it was very difficult to see if Dijon was pacing – which would have led to a disqualification – or if he was trotting and he was certainly not off stride, which also would have led to a disqualification.

After more than 10 minutes the judges announced 6-year old Dijon as the winner.

But the judges also had to look into the second horse past the post, Aubrion du Gers.

With 5/8 mile to go his driver Jos. Verbeeck made a move, who interfered with Finnish trotter, Next Direction with Iika Nurmonen.

Again the judges freed the suspect – however, Verbeeck was fined $1,000 dollars and got a three days ban for interference.  The purse for second place was $155,000.

Just minutes before the off to the final second favorite, Readly Express with Björn Goop had to be scratched lame.

The Elitlopp was supposed to be the last race for Readly Express, who now will take up stud duties full time at the Memhammar Stud.