The 5-year-old European Championship, also called European 5-year-old Championship, is an annual
Group One
Group One, Group 1, Grade I or G1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. In Europe, the level of races for Thoroughbred racing is determined using the Pattern races, Pattern race sys ...
harness event that is arranged by the
European Trotting Union
The Union Europeenne du Trot, or in English, the European Trotting Union, also known by its acronym, UET, is the governing body of European trotting. The federations main purpose "is the promotion of trotting races and horse breeding in Europe as ...
, UET. The race takes place on a racetrack in one of the member countries of UET. The contenders are chosen by the different national trotting federations that are members of UET. Only 5-year-old European-born stallions and mares can be selected. The 5-year-old European Championship was raced for the first time in 1967.
The 2009 championship was raced at Treviso Racetrack,
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, on July 26, and had a purse of approximately US$132,000, or €100,000.
Racing conditions
The distance has most years been between 2,000 and 2,300 meters. There are two exceptions. In 1982 and 1986, the distances were 1,600 and 1,660 meters respectively. The distance interval has decreased and since 1990, the race has been over 2,060-2,150 meters. The race has always been started by the use of auto start.
Past winners
Drivers with most wins
* 2: Eddy Freundt (1967, 1970)
* 2:
Stig H. Johansson
Stig Henry Johansson (born 26 July 1945 in Forsa, Hälsingland, Forsa, Hälsingland, Sweden) is a Swedish trotting trainer and former driver. He started his career as a professional trainer in 1969, and has during a large part of the career been a ...
(1973, 1988)
* 2: Anders Lindqvist (1990, 1995)
* 2: Joseph Verbeeck (1998, 2003)
Sires with at least two winning offsprings
* 3: Pay Dirt (Tarok, Granit Bangsbo, Hairos)
* 2: Cocktail Jet (Kiwi, Jetstile)
* 2: Express Rodney (Express Gaxe, Ex Lee)
Countries, number of wins
* 17:
* 10:
* 6:
* 3:
* 3:
* 3:
* 2:
* 1:
[Search results from database of ''Svenska Travsportens Centralförbund'' at ]
Fastest winners
* 1:11.3 (km rate): Mara Bourbon (2005)
All winners of the 5-year-old European Championship
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:5-Year-Old European Championship
Harness racing in Europe