by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

For the first time ever in Europe a trotter was timed in better than 1:50 as 6-year-old Propulsion, driven by Ôrjan Kihlström, won the prestigious Aabergs Memorial at Jägersro in a new European record of 1:49.3f.

Kanal 75 photo

Propulsion won the Aabergs Memorial in a new European record of 1:49.3f.

This was the second year in a row that Propulsion won the Aabergs Memorial, which has a purse for the winner of $125,000.

After a recall second favorite Twister Bi, driven by Christoffer Eriksson, opened in :26.4 and was in command until the stretch. Propulsion, who trotted two wide most of the race, finished strongly to win by a length, followed by Ringostarr Treb and Twister Bi.

Propulsion lowered the European record by two-fifths of a second. It was held by French trotter Bold Eagle, who won an elimination in the Elitlopp two months ago in 1:50f.

Propulsion, who is owned by the Zet Stable and trained by Daniel Redén, was sired by Muscle Hill and is out of Danae, she by Andover Hall. He was bred by Fredericka Caldwell and Bluestone Farms.

Propulsion was a $250,000 yearling and was trained by Tony Alagna. He took a mark of 1:52.1 and had earnings of $86,178 before he was sold at The Meadowlands July sale in 2015 for $210,000 to the Zet Stable.

In Europe Propulsion has developed into a top trotter and he will be aimed for the Prix d’Amerique in 2018.

The team behind Propulsion also visited the winner’s circle after a win with Wild Honey, who won an open mare race in 1:54.4f.