Inaugurated 1936 | ||
Location Åby Racetrack, Mölndal,
Sweden Race type Harness race for standardbred trotters Website Åby Stora Pris (Swedish) Distance 1,640 meters (1.02 miles) Track Left-handed 1,000 meter track (0.62 mile) | ||
Åby Stora Pris (literally "Åby Grand Prize") is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. Åby Stora Pris has taken place since 1936, the same year Åby Racetrack was opened. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$359,000 (SEK2,400,000). Åby Stora Pris is part of the European Grand Circuit.
Contents
Racing conditions
Through the years, the conditions of the event have varied. Before 2005, the winner was decided through a single race. This one race had since 1978 been of 2,140 meters. As from 2005, when the setup was changed, the same eight horses have been racing each other in two 1,640 meter-heats. These heats are followed by a race-off of 1,640 meters, if necessary, i.e. if the two heats are won by different horses.
With the exception of 1981, a motorized starting gate has been used to launch the race since 1979.
In 1978, when the distance was decreased to 2,140 meters, another shift was made as well. Date wise, the event had been held in May or June until then. After the change in 1978, it has been held in September, apart from the years 1990-92 when the race was in August.
The event is invitational, meaning only invited horses can participate. To come in contention for invitations, a horse must be of age four or above.
Horses with most wins
Sires with at least two winning offsprings
Mares with at least two winning offsprings
Drivers with most wins
Other note
Frances Bulwark is the only mare that have won the event herself (in 1950) in addition to having bred a winner, the stallion Frances Nibs, who won in 1964. Frances Nibs has also sired a winner, the champion of 1977, Micko Tilly. Thus this line represents winners in three generations.