Swedish Trotting Derby
| Group One National race | |
| Location |
Jägersro Racetrack, Malmö, Sweden
|
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1928 |
| Race type | Harness race for standardbred trotters |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,640 meters (1.64 miles) |
| Track | Left-handed 1,000 meter track (0.62 mile) |
| Qualification | Swedish 4-year-olds |
| Purse | ≈US$442,000 |
The Swedish Trotting Derby (Swedish: Svenskt Travderby) is an annual national Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Jägersro Racetrack in Malmö, Sweden. It is by many considered the most prestigious Swedish event for 4-year-old racing horses. The purse in the 2010 final was ≈US$442,000 (SEK 3,200,000), of which the winner Joke Face won half.
Through the years, the host of the Derby final has at times annually been Jägersro, but at times, the hostesship has altered between Jägersro, Solvalla and Åby. Since 1966, the final event has been held at Jägersro Racetrack every year.
To enter the Swedish Trotting Derby, a horse owner is obliged to make four payments, the last approximately seven months before the final is held. In total, these payments consist of ≈US$523 (SEK4,375) as of 2009. In addition to these costs, a supplementary fee of ≈US$761 (SEK6,360) is paid to enter the elimination races 12 days before the final.
From the start in 1928 until 1982, the distance of the Derby was in the interval 3,000-3,200 meters. The distance was shortened to 2,640 meters (1.64 miles) in 1983, which has been the distance of the race ever since.
The first 32 Derby finals, was started by using volt start. In 1960, auto start was introduced. Since then, a motorized starting gate has been used every year, with exceptions for 1962, 1969 and 1970.
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