Daniel Redén-trained Allegiant, with Örjan Kihlström in the bike, delivered a performance for the ages Sunday (May 31) at Solvalla, roaring to the lead from post 7 and never looking back in the Elitloppet final. The 5-year-old mare stopped the clock in a jaw-dropping 1.48.0F setting a new all-time world record.
Until Sunday afternoon, the fastest trotter in the world had been American gelding Homeside Hunter, who posted 1.48.4M at The Red Mile in 2018. That mark is history now.
The record now belongs to Allegiant, who turned in one of the most dazzling miles the sport has ever seen on Solvalla’s 1,000-meter track.
What made the effort even more remarkable was how she did it.
From a brutal outside draw in post 7, Allegiant fired off the gate, and opened the first fraction in :26, the half mile in :53, and still had enough left to finish the job in world-record fashion.
It was a pure catch-me-if-you-can performance — and nobody could.
“It’s completely unreal,” an emotional Kihlström said after the race. “It’s incredible that it was even possible. She was amazing.”
Allegiant only just made the final after finishing fourth in her elimination heat, where Kihlström gave her a patient, measured trip and saved plenty for later. But that placing also meant she would draw either post 7 or 8 for the final.
She landed post 7 — and Kihlström turned it into a launch pad.
It was also the first time in her career that Allegiant raced barefoot, and the change clearly made a major impact.
If ever a horse lived up to her name, this was it.
The result also snapped France’s recent grip on the race. After four straight French victories in the Elitloppet, Sweden swept the top two spots.
Last year’s Swedish Derby winner Dream Mine, trained by Jörgen Westholm and driven by Mats E. Djuse, finished second while defending champion Go On Boy, with Romain Derieux, checked in third.
French standout Idao de Tillard made a break at the start and was out of contention immediately, while the other French star, Inexess Bleu also went off stride during the race.