ANNIKE BYE HANSEN
Racehorse Trainer
annikebyehansen.com
2020
Webmaster & editor: Geir Stabell / www.stabell.co.uk
Øvrevoll Galopp | Programmes | Results | 2023 | 2022 I 2021 | 2019
Represents famous Aga Khan family
Hard One To Please joins the team
01 Dec 21: One of the new horses in the stable for 2022, the Fast Company son Hard One To Please - bought by Walter Buick on behalf of Väsby Häst AB at the Tattersalls Sales in Newmarket - is an unraced colt from one of Aga Khan's best known families. Unraced, Hard One To Please is out of Alyssum, a filly trained by Jim Bolger in Ireland. Alyssum ran just four times and her runner-up effort in a Naas maiden on her debut was her best placing. She is a daughter of top class performer New Approach and Alasha (Barathea). Alasha was trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who handled her to win the Dick Hern Stakes (LR) over a mile at Bath, and run second in the E P Taylor Stakes (G1) over 10 furlongs at Woodbine in Canada. Her best piece of form, however, was when she finished third, beaten just half a length behind Kazzia, in the 1,000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket. Alasha became the dam of Alanza, a smart 7-furlong performer by Dubai Destination. Alanza won the Ballycorus Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown and the Sceptre Stakes (G3) at Doncaster.
The third dam, Alanasa (Darshaan), was a half-sister to Aliysa, Champion 3yo filly in England and at the centre of the 'doping' scandal that robbed her connections of a win in the Epsom Oaks (G1) back in 1989. Alanasa was not in the same league but she was a useful filly, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre in France. She won twice, scoring over 1,600 metres at Dieppe and over 1,800 metres at Saint-Cloud, and she stretched her stamina to finish third over 2,100 metres at Longchamp. She produced a Listed winner called Alaiyma and became the granddam of the G2 placed Listed winner Shared Ambition, a winner of 7 races in Australia.
Hard One To Please's sire, Fast Company (Danehill Dancer), was a highly talented juvenile but unfortunately he raced just three times. He won the 7-furlong Acomb Stakes (G3) at York, easily outpointing Lucifer Sam by 3 ½ lengths, and went on to run second in the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) over the same distance at Newmarket, checking in half a length behind Hard One To Please's broodmare sire New Approach. GS
Tattersalls Catalogue page / Hard One To Please / PDF download
Six-time winner transferred
Annike to train Väsby Häst's Noosa Prince
11 Dec 20: Väsby Häst AB, owners of Mudjimba, General de Vega and Murcia, have sent yet another interesting horse to Annike Bye Hansen's stable; the highly rated Noosa Prince, an Irish bred son of Kodiac with six wins to his name. Formerly trained by Lars Kelp at Bro Park, this talented gelding will meet the 2021 season on handicap mark 83 - one kilogram below his career best. The peaks of his 2020 form represented strong form, including an impressive 4 1/2-length win over 1750 metres / turf at Bro Park. That race was run on good to firm ground, while Noosa Prince encountered soft turf when successful over 1600 metres / turf at Øvrevoll back in 2019, when he also won twice at the same distance over dirt tracks in Sweden.
Please check back later for Noosa Prince's dedicated page.
Back to Sweden for big task
We Got the Boss runs at Bro Park
10 Nov 20: We Got the Boss is a thoroughbred that has been flying different flags, and he is truly an example of how international breeding and racing has become these days. Bred in the US, he began his career in Sweden, before he ended up with Annike Bye Hansen in Norway last year. That proved to be a good move, as the son of champion sprinter Street Boss soon climbed up to a new level under Annike's care. With two wins in 2019 and two more in 2020, he has been a success story for his aptly named owners, Champagnegaloppen. This coming Sunday, he will be back at Bro Park, where he raced in his younger days, to run in the valuable SGS Stockholm Høsthandicap, a really hot 15-runner affair over 2100 metres on the dirt track. We Got the Boss is coming off three straight second place finishes, most recently when partnered by Nora Hagelund Holm over 1600 metres at Øvrevoll Galopp in October. Nora will ride him again on Sunday and the combination has been put up as the second choice by Bro Park's form expert Ulf Zeider. Drawn in stall six, "the Boss" is clearly in with a chance.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Bro Park's November 15 fixture had to be cancelled.
Girl power prevails on closing day
Al Buraq so strong, ninth career win
11 Nov 20: You can't keep a good girl down, never mind three - and when Al Buraq, Annike Bye Hansen and in-form apprentice Cornelia Hartsmar joined forces in the Elgar Handicap on Øvrevoll's closing day it became an unstoppable combination. Cornelia, who partnered two winners on the day, gave Al Buraq a confident ride. She placed the mare prominently, and advanced smoothly going down the back stretch. Al Buraq responded well to pressure through the home straight and she got to the lead 200 metres out, outstaying the pace setting favourite Macjack to beat him by a length. This was Al Buraq's ninth career win from 48 runs, she has also been second / third in seven of her races, and this result was a nice way for the stable to end the season - though 2020 isn't in the books quite yet. We Got the Boss travels to Bro Park on Sunday.
Al Buraq, Calcaterre, Mestre dos Magos all set for finale
Three of the sport's true cornerstones round out the season
10 Nov 20: Annike sends out three runners at Øvrevoll Galopp tomorrow, as the course will stage the last raceday of 2020. It has been a season that brought out the best in several players, as organisers, trainers, jockeys and owners have all worked hard to get through the fixture list without a single cancellation - an achievement in itself. Annike's three that take part before the curtain goes down are Al Buraq, Calcaterre and Mestre dos Magos.
Al Buraq, a winner of 9 races to date and crowned Handicapper of The Year in 2019, will be making her 14th start of the season as she meets seven rivals in the Elgar Handicap over 2400 metres. This fine daughter of Crocker Road will be ridden by Cornelia Hartsman. Al Buraq has won once in 2020 and the good news is that, although she could become an excellent broodmare, she stays in training for 2021. Calcaterre takes part in the Emilio Handicap over 1100 metres. He will be partnered by Willa Synøve Schou. She rode Calcaterre also in his two most recent starts, both resulting in runner-up efforts over this distance. Calcaterre's consistency is a joy, but also a bit of a burden, because his handicap mark (84) has become quite constant - and understandably so. A winner of 16 races, one this year (when he has been in the top three six times), he has six to beat on Wednesday. Mestre dos Magos, who has 9 wins to his name, takes up the challenge in Ecuador's Dream Handicap, a tricky contest over 1600 metres. He will get Nora Hagelund Holm in the saddle. Like Calcaterre and Al Buraq, Mestre dos Magos has done a good job this year, winning once and finishing second or third six times.
It is quite fitting that it is this trio that will round out the season for Annike. The 2020 campaign has been difficult, in many ways, and these three horses, reliable cornerstones, certainly represent the fighting spirit of the team at Skoganstallen. GS
Stakes Wednesday
Annike to saddle winners of 38 races
13 Oct 20: We are coming up a fascinating lunchtime fixture this week, with two prestigious stakes races headlining the Wednesday programme. Annike will be busy of course, sending out five runners who have won no fewer than 38 races between them. They will all go to post with a chance - though these contests are naturally competitive.
Last year's "Handicapper of the Year", Al Buraq, will run in the Major Chr. F. Michelets Memorial over 2830 metres on the turf course - the day's opening race. She won over 2400 metres / dirt in August and it will be interesting to see her stretching out. Calcaterre will take his chance in Fearloeyloepet, an 1800 metres event for Norwegian breds. Very few of those are more accomplished than he is. The Advance Party Handicap, over 1370 metres, gets three runners from Team Bye Hansen; Abolish, We Got the Boss and Our Boy John - who is in the mix for the Handicapper of the Year title in 2020. Don't miss it folks - this looks a fine day for racing.
Kodiac son star of the show
Mudjimba's impressive stroll
08 Oct 20: This Thursday fixture at Øvrevoll Galopp may have been an ordinary run of the mill card but there was nothing ordinary about Mudjima's performance in the Zimoni Handicap, a race he won by almost seven lengths - while also clocking what appeared to be a very good time for the 1750 metres over the dirt track. He had unseated his rider at the start last month but Mudjimba broke perfectly this time, and jockey Maikel Narveaz Bravo sent him straight into a prominent role, chasing habitual front-runner Dickie Dickens. Mudjimba was travelling strongly just off the leader and he swooped past as they negotiated the home turn. Quickening right away, he opened up a clear lead and the result was never in doubt as he powered down the home straight. He won by 6 3/4 lengths from Beau Nuage, a contender with good recent form behind winners like We Got The Boss, Our Boy John and Cockney Cracker. Annike was understandably full of praise in the winners' circle, and Mudjimba could be an exciting horse for the future. His far more experienced stable companion Mestre dos Magos did his bit for the team by taking third in the same race - on a night when Aconcagua also ran a good race to get second in a sprint handicap. With Swedish Dream once more confirming his class by finishing third in the Listed Arnfinn Lunds Minneløp on Sunday, this has been a good week for the stable.
Mudjima, a three-year-old gelding owned by Vasby Hast AB, was completing only his second race in Norway. He stopped the clocks in 1.50.5, while having more up his sleeve. How good he might become is anybody's guess but it's well worth noting that Buffalo Soldier's time as he won over the same trip half an hour later was 1.54.2. The latter was 8kg below Mudjimba on the handicap list prior to this race day so perhaps one should not read too much into these times. Then again, 3.7 seconds equals about 18-19 lengths, and Mudjimba was without doubt the star of the show this evening.
Mudjimba is a half-brother to three winners in England, including the smart filly Lilly Rules, who was second in the Musidora Stakes (G3) at York a few years ago - beaten only by Kirsten Rausing's subsequent Group One winner Madame Chiang. GS
Going for second 'Arnfinn Lunds' win
Swedish Dream gets seven rivals
30 Sep 20: Swedish Dream, who won the 2019 edition of Arnfinn Lunds Minneløp (LR) is set to defend his title this coming Sunday, when the 1600 metres long turf contest heads an excellent card presented by Øvrevoll Galopp. We can look forward to eight races, with high class events in various divisions, and Arnfinn Lunds Minneløp has drawn a strong field of eight. Swedish Dream, to be ridden by Jacob Johansen, drew stall one and should get a good trip from the inside berth. Edging ever closer to the same prize money he earned last season (when he picked up 342,466 kroner), Swedish Dream bounced back to his best when runner-up to Kick On in the Marit Sveaas Minneløp (G3) on Derby day. He meets Kick On again on Sunday. Annike will also be represented in Calcaterre in the Selmer Holding Sprint Handicap while win machines Our Boy John and We Got The Boss are both set for the Energima Mile Handicap. This Super Sunday begins at 12.00. Where will you be?
His third win this season
Our Boy John prevails in tight call
23 Sep 20: Our sport certainly has its highs and lows, and Team Bye Hansen experienced both extremes in the September Handicap on this Wednesday afternoon. While Our Boy John, one of the toughest handicappers in Scandinavia these days, prevailed in a very close finish to win from Ocho Rios, his stable companion Mujimba came riderless up the straight. Unfortunately, he unseated Nora Hagelund Holm as the stalls opened for the 1600 metres contest. The good news was that Nora was fine after the incident. She was actually back in the winners' circle after the following race, having had a more enjoyable ride on Topas Royal. That happened half an hour after Out Boy John's third win of the season had been celebrated. Ridden by Jacob Johansen, he travelled like a winner in fourth place going around the bend, advanced to grab the lead 200 metres out and kept on to beat Ocho Rios by a head. The two were on opposite sides of the course, with Our Boy John racing by the outside rail. His reward, 30,000 kroner, boosted his 2020 earnings to 173,375 kroner and his career total now stands at 635,932 kroner. Nice figures, for a horse Durant Racing Stables bought for just 3,500 guineas in England. Prolific winners don't have to cost a small fortune.
Lille My, in search of her first success of the year, produced a taking performance to finish second to odds-on favourite Eternal Flame in the Water Garden Handicap over 1100 metres. A somewhat sluggish start did not help Lille My's cause, but the winner was too good on the day in any case and Lille My finished by far the best of the rest. She's in good form at present.
Marquee Sunday in Sweden
Abolish to Herbert Sachs Memorial
15 Sep 20: Abolish, who ran such a big race in defeat when second in the Goteborg Stora Pris last month, will be on his travels again on Sunday - as he is set to take on eight rivals in the Herbert Sachs Memorial at Bro Park outside Stockholm. The Herbert Sachs is a traditional supporting even on the high profile Stockholm Cup International day, contested over 1600 metres on the turf course. Abolish, who will get a new rider in Oliver Wilson, was beaten just a neck by Ramone in Goteborg, while giving the winner 3 kg. It was a fine performance and local tipsters make CJ Thoroughbreds' French import their favourite on Sunday. Bro Park program
Handicapper of the year in 2019...
Al Buraq back where she belongs!
03 Sep 20: She won five times in 2019, when she was voted Handicapper of The Year, and Al Buraq was obviously not going to find things easy this season. She has been creeping gradually closer to the winners' circle though, and today she found he way - winning the last race on the card, the TANIEC Handicap over 2400 metres on the dirt track, a race she took gamely by a quarter of a length from Twisted, with Two Times well beaten back in third place. Jacob Johansen partnered Stall Jersey's incredibly versatile homebred mare, who went off favourite.
Our Boy John shines again and
Swedish Dream runs big race in defeat
23 Aug 20: Swedish Dream bounced right back to his very best, perhaps he even ran up to a level above what he has achieved previously, when running second to Kick On in the high quality Marit Sveaas Minneløp (G3) on Derby day 2020. He sweated up a bit before the big race but it could hardly have affected him too much. He performed with great credit and made the winner pull out all the stops at the business end of the 1800 metres long contest. Ridden by Jacob Johansen, Swedish Dream proved too good for high profile names like Square de Luynes and Privilegiado. One horse was even better than him but this really felt like 'half a win' for Stall Øvrevollkollen's incredible six-year-old. He is clearly back in form and the autumn weeks coming upp could be very interesting. His efforts on this annual racing feast was rewarded with 235.500 kroner.
Jacob Johansen has been a good team player for the stable on many an occasion, and earlier on the day he rode Our Boy John to a win in the Energima Løp, a tough 13-runner handicap over 1600 metres. Our Boy John was the only one capable of catching the longtime leader Sunbreak, and he ran out an authoritative winner, gaining his second success from eight starts so far this season. Seraphine came home in third place, while the Swedish trained favourite Alsimsaam was fourth past the winning post.
Unwanted Beauty also signalled a return to form, finishing well from off the pace to take third in Erik O Steen's Memorial, a race she was runner-up in last year.
Swedish Dream to Marit Sveaas Minneløp,
Possession to the Derby, as Annikes saddles five
16 Aug 20: Derby Day 2020 is just days away, and Øvrevoll Galopp present a really good ten-race card on the big day,. with highly competitive races in all divisions. Annike will send out five runners on the day. Swedish Dream goes for the Marit Sveaas Minneløp (G3), Possession steps up in class as he goes for the Derby, Unwanted Beauty is a contender for the Erik O. Steen's Memorial - a race she ran second in last year - while Our Boy John and Aconcagua will both run in the Energima Løp.
Emotional win
Karen From Finance flying the family flag
13 Aug 20: Karen From Finance, who is related to the ill-fated champion Captain America, gained an emotional win for everyone connected to Annike Bye Hansen's stable as she outbattled the favourite My Cup Of Tea to win Øvrevoll Hesteierforenings Hoppeløp over 1730 metres on the turf. Getting on top in the last few strides, she displayed some of the battling qualities we saw when Captain America was at his best. She is not in his league but this four-year-old daughter of Eishin Dunkirk certainly is a game performer. Stable companion Al Buraq, a winner of five races in 2019, added further joy by staying with great interest to finish third. She had Jacob Johansen on board, while Karen From Finance was ridden by Elione Chaves. This was Karen From Finance's second win in 2020 and she has earned 72.388 kroner so far this season.
Captain America has sadly left us
10 Aug 20: This is a sad week for Annike Bye Hansen, her entire team, and not least for owner / breeder Espen Ski, as we are all trying to come to terms with Captain America's passing after a race at Klampenborg on Sunday, when he lost his life due to complications caused by dehydration. He leaves fond memories and also a void that it will be extremely hard to fill - if not impossible. At the age of nine, he was Sprinter of The Year in Norway last season. Horses like him do not come around too often. Below is our presentation of this top class sprinter published leading up to the 2020 season.
Captain America - a true champion
11 Feb 20: Norway's Sprinter of The Year in 2019 is getting ready for another season, and it seems logical to assume he will be pointed to some of the same races he took part in last year. Captain America returned from an injury break to make his mark in the sprint division in 2019, and selecting him as Sprinter of The Year must have been an easy choice for the panel of experts.
The imposing son of Academy Award burst back onto the top stage when gaining an impressive off-the-pace win in the Zawawi Bro Park Vårsprint (LR) in Sweden in June. Winning the 1200-metres event going away at the finish, he was much too good for the likes of Riwaj, Brownie, Land's End and Sarookh. Captain America was coming off an eye catching third over 900 metres at Øvrevoll ten days earlier, beaten less than a length when trying to give 12kg to the in-form sprinter Story Minister. Captain America's season continued in fine style after the Bro Park Vårsprint, though Sarookh gained revenge on him when they ran first and second in the Challenge Stakes over 1400 metres two weeks later. Perhaps three tough races within the space of 24 days was his undoing, but Espen Ski's champion lost by just half a length and he was game in defeat. That was the case also when he went down by a length to Scandinavia's best miler, Duca di Como, in the Giant Sandman Polar Cup (G3) over 1370 metres at Øvrevoll in August. Finishing strongly, Captain America snatched second from the Group 3 winner Brian Ryan in the dying strides. Getting second in this race was as impressive as it was frustrating but there were weeks left of the big race season and more to look forward to. Just under a month later, Captain America was back at Bro Park, to contest the Clarion Sign Bro Park Sprint Championship (LR) over 1200 metres. For whatever reason, Brian Ryan was sent off the 2-1 favourite for the 13-runner affair, while Captain America looked much better value at 11-2. He was actually 22-1 when taking the Vårsprint, and seems to be a horse the betting public underestimates. Now, both these Norwegian trained contenders lost on the day, but Captain America's fourth place finish, 1 3/4 lengths behind the English trained Corinthia Knight, was a fine performance. Brian Ryan was unplaced. With one big sprint left in the calendar, the Norsk Jockeyklubs Sprintløp (LR) over 1170 metres back on home soil in early October, Annike freshened 'the Captain' up for another crack at Duca di Como. Brian Ryan was in the mix once more, as rain made the ground soft. The weather did not bother Captain America, who closed his season out with another big win. He took the race by a length from the surprise package of the race, Prime Red, who beat Duca di Como by the same margin for third. That Duca di Como went on to win the Peas And Carrotts Mile in Sweden a week later did the form no harm at all.
Captain America is now on handicap 92, as high as he has ever been through a career spanning 63 starts with 17 wins and 2.372.219 kroner in total earnings. (12 Feb 2020 / G Stabell)
Four runners at home and
Captain America off to Klampenborg
04 Aug 20: Annike's team is heading into an interesting second half of the week, as the stable will have four runners on home soil on Thursday evening, when Unwanted Beauty runs in the Lanwades Stud Stakes (LR), while Captain America travels to Klampenborg in Denmark on Sunday, when he will participate in the Zawawi Sprint Cup (LR), a race that has also attracted the Wido Neuroth trainer Brian Ryan. Elione Chaves has been booked for 'The Captain' and Jacob Johansen gets the leg-up on Unwanted Beauty. Three stable companions all go for a particularly strong sprint handicap on Thursday. It is a race that smells of "Derby day prepping" all over, with Abolish (Jacob Johansen), Swedish Dream (Carlos Lopez) and Calcaterre (Willa Synøve M. Schou) all coming out to stretch their legs.
Tiz not over till...
Our Boy John is past the post!
30 Jul 20: Anyone who backed Our Boy John, the favourite for the sixth race on this interesting Thursday card probably felt like losers for the best part of the contest while watching the 1600-metres handicap. Our Boy John was pulling hard going down the back straight, wasting precious energy - before settling better by the time the field turned for home. Then, as the chips were down, he came under serious pressure and appeared to be struggling. Perhaps he was, but he was nothing but game and as the leaders began to feel the heat, Our Boy John began to find his stride. He gradually wore them to down for a tenacious win from the Swedish trained raider My Cup Of Tea. Sonriente - with two recent wins at this venue - was a close third. This was Our Boy John's sixth career win and his first since joining Annike Bye Hansen ahead of the current season. He was ridden by Jacob Johansen, who certainly deserved his fee for the job.
New name on the training list
Possession joins Annike's team
28 Jul 20: Possession, a well bred three-year-old previously trained by Niels Petersen, has been bought by Champagnegaloppen and joined Annike's team at Skoganstallen. This half-brother to Triple Crown winner Privilegiado looks a really interesting recruit. The son of Iffraaj has had just two runs to date, and he was a promising third to Raspberry Beret in an eight-runner maiden over 1980 metres on the turf course earlier this month - beaten just a length. Possession's catalogue page, Arqana Sales 2018
Norwegian debuts for exciting names
Wraps come off Abolish and General de Vega
22 July 20: Norwegian racing fans will get to see two interesting new names in the programme on Thursday, as Abolish - an import with good, winning form in France last year - and General de Vega - who has impressed in Sweden and Dubai - getting their first run for Annike. They are both set for the New Options Handicap, to be contested over 1370 metres. Jacob Johansen has been booked for General de Vega and Abolish will have Elione Chaves on board.
Recent Bro Park winner Karen From Finance (again with Jacob Johansen as her partner), Lille My (Ulrika Holmquist) and Our Boy John (Dale Swift) all go for the Rikstoto Cup over 1600 metres - on what should be an interesting day for the stable.
Start to finish win over 1800 metres
We Got the Boss strikes again
16 July 20: Obliging for a second time this year, We Got The Boss stretched out to 1800 metres for a game, front-running, win under Ulrika Holmquist - who always rides him so well. We Got The Boss broke smartly to take command from the start. He raced with great zest throughout and ran on strongly when coming under pressure inside the final furlong to beat C'est la vie by 1 3/4 lengths. He has always shown great tactical speed but Annike now wonders how far this this four-year-old can go. "Perhaps he could stay even further?", the trainer commented, "remember, 1800 at this course is a tough distance". It is indeed, and We Got The Boss was not exactly tiring at the finish. He is a son of Champion US sprinter Street Boss, a stallion that has sired very smart winners at up to 1 1/4 miles, and We Got The Boss is out of the unraced mare We Got a Lemon, a daughter of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Lemon Drop Kid, a stallion with a strong influence for stamina - and also a stallion who has given quite a few high class turf horses capable of winning big races over 10 and 12 furlongs. GS
Calcaterre - he knows where the line is!
09 Jul 20: We all know how tough and game he is - but even his main admirers must have been impressed as Calcaterre stuck his nose first across the winning line after a battle with the smart filly Ramone on this Thursday evening at Øvrevoll Galopp. This remarkable nine-year-old has now won 16 races from 97 runs. Not just that, he has also finished second 15 times and third 19 times, for a deeply impressive 51% top three strike rate - and he has amassed earnings of 1.398.979 kroner.
CALCATERRE'S 16 WINS
Runners-up in brackets
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2020: 1170 m dirt (Ramone)
2019: 1600 m dirt (We Got The Boss)
2019: 1170 m dirt (Pirlo)
2018: 1100 m dirt (Tertian)
2017: 1170 m turf (Vallance Road)
2017: 1100 m dirt (Barny)
2017: 1170 m turf (Backcountry)
2017: 1100 m dirt (Rossmos Secret)
2017: 1370 m turf (Dickie Dickens)
2017: 1100 m dirt (Pretty Perfect)
2016: 1100 m dirt (Pretty Perfect)
2016: 1100 m dirt (Pretty Perfect)
2015: 900 m turf (Sir Silk)
2014: 1600 m turf (Pocket Aces)
2013: 1170 m turf (Skrik)
2013: 1170 m turf (The Sin)
Karen From Finance very smooth at Bro Park
28 Jun 20: Karen From Finance, ridden by Jacob Johansen and overcoming a wide post, captured a competitive handicap over 1600 metres / turf at Bro Park this Sunday. Sent off 3-1 favourite in the 13-runner field, Espen Ski's well bred filly beat Meandro quite comfortably by 1 1/4 lengths, while Sheperd Gate took third and Mr Pimms filled fourth place. Karen From Finance came with a strong run from off the pace, to take control in mid-stretch, and she was an authoritative winner. / Watch the most recent replays via this link.
Where horses come first - and become winners!
Väsby Häst AB sends two horses to Annike's team
MUDJIMBA AND GENERAL DE VEGA MOVING ACROSS FROM SWEDEN
Mudjima, a three-year-old son of high profile stallion Kodiac out of the unraced Giant's Causeway daughter Causeway Charm, has one win to his rame, after just three runs. He won a maiden event over 1400 metres at Bro Park in October last year, when he beat Blue Gem and Hypocondriac in a close finish. Both of the placed runners in this race went on to win subsequently, indicating that Mudjimba's maiden form was useful - though he has himself been unplaced in three outings thus far in 2020. Perhaps a change of scenery will do him good. 24 Jun 20
Mudjimba and General de Vega will get dedicated pages soon - please check back to get the complete picture of these interesting recruits.
General de Vega is a well bred three-year-old who has produced smart form in Sweden and Denmark and been third in a good conditions race at Meydan. A son of dual classic winner Lope de Vega, General de Vega broke his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths over 1200 metres on the dirt track at Bro Park in 2019, and he gained a 2 1/2-length win over 1400 metres / turf at Klampenborg in May. He spent the winter in Dubai, where he finished third in the Dubai Trophy over 1200 metres on turf, beaten just 2 lengths by Godolphin's winner, Platinum Star - a Listed winner in England last year. A son of Prix Vanteaux (G3) winner Just Little (Grand Slam), General de Vega is a half-brother to Radipole, a Listed winning miler in France before being exported to Australia, where he was placed in G2 and G3 events. GS
Three ready for Oslo Cup day
Calcaterre, Lille My and "The Boss" set to run
22 Jun 20: We are gearing up for a big day at Øvrevoll Galopp on Saturday, when the prestigious Oslo Cup (G3) takes centre stage on a fixture that will also see two classics, the Norwegian 2,000 Guineas and Norwegian 1,000 Guineas, get under orders. The "1,000" brings back memories of course, as the stable won this classic with Unwanted Beauty 12 months ago. There will not be a classic contender from Skoganstallen this time, but Annike has three interesting runners primed for the racing feast. Calcaterre, to be ridden by Carlos Lopez, goes for a highly competitive handicap over 900 metres, while the in-form We Go The Boss and Lille My will both take part in a tough handicap race over 1370 metres. Ulrika Holmquist is an obvious partner for "The Boss", while Lille My will be partnered by Alan Wallace.
"We Got The Boss takes a drop in disance and this is a bit of an experiment", the trainer says and adds; "he has a high crusing speed and it will interesting to see how he does over this trip. The distance suits Lille My well, and I think we can forget about her last run, when she was down on her nose as the stalls opened. She is in good form, and so is Calcaterre. We have had a slow start to the season, as the stable has been plagued by a virus. These things are so frustrating and I was so pleased to have two winners last week - hopefully we are out of the woods and at a turning point now."
Two runners at Bro Park on Sunday
Captain America and Karen From Finance will both be sent to Bro Park in Sweden on Sunday. Captain America to contest the 1400-metres Challenge Stakes, a race he finished second in last year, and Karen From Finance to take part in a handicap over 1600 metres. Per-Anders Gråberg has been booked for Captain America and Jacob Johansen will partner Karen From Finance. GS
Initiated a nice Bye Hansen double
We Got The Boss in full command
18 Jun 20: A lovely summer evening, and the first fixture with specators on course. Annike chose a good day for sending out two winners, as We Got The Boss and Aconcagua both ended up in the winners' circle. We Got The Boss got the ball rolling, running out a strong half-length winner of the Ihla Grande Handicap, a highly competitive affair over 1600 metres / turf. Ulika Holmquist was back on board and she gave the son of Street Boss a perfect ride. We Got The Boss captured the race by half a length from Cockney Cracker, with Match Maker back in third place. Champagnegaloppen's handsome miler won twice in 2019 and, judged on this performance, he stands a good chance of repeating the feat this year.
Wins on second 2020 outing
Aconcagua steps right up
18 Jun 20: Aconcagua was winless in 2019, but 2020 has begun so much better for Stall Unik's talented gelding. He was a good fifth when making his seasonal debut two weeks ago, and that run put him right for a winning performance in Norsk Forening For Fullblodsavl Handicap, run over 1370 metres on the turf course. Finishing his race off in a game manner under top rider Alan Wallace, Aconcagua won by half a length from Pirlo, a contender coming off a close second to Kildare on his previous start. This was Aconcagua's third career win and he has finished in the first three in 10 of his 26 races. His stable companion Al Buraq, seemingly about to regain form, finished fourth in the same contest.
Three aces to Bro Park's Super Sunday
08 Jun 20: Annike has three of her star performers ready for a trip to Bro Park on Sunday - when the Stockholm venue puts on a top class show with six big races on the menu; Stocholm Stora Pris (G3), Bloomers' Vase (LR), Bro Park Vårsprint (LR), Swedish 2,000 Guineas, Swedish 1,000 Guineas and Bobbie Killicks Minnesløpning.
Captain America going for history
Our top sprinter Captain America runs in the Bro Park Vårsprint (LR), a race he has won twice. Can he write history with a third win in the valuable sprint? Swedish Dream, fresh from a nice win on his seasonal debut, goes for the Stockholm Stora Pris (G3), a race he ran fourth in two years ago, while Unwanted Beauty's task is the Bloomers' Vase (LR).
Perfect prep for Stockholm Stora
Swedish Dream a smooth winner on seasonal debut
28 May 20: He will soon be facing much tougher groups than he did on his seasonal debut, a four-runner handicap over 1600 metres on the turf course, but Swedish Dream was impressive as he got his new campaign off to a perfect start on this Thursday card. Backed down to 1/10 on the tote, he broke little sweat, beating Backcountry by almost three lengths. Evergreen Calcaterre put in another fine effort to take third. Swedish Dream's next task is the Stockholm Stora Pris at Bro Park in Sweden.
Unwanted Beauty, unfortunately suffering from an infection, was a non-runner in the same race, while Our Boy John finished unplaced as he blew the cobwebs in a 12-runner handicap, also over 1600 metres.
Three stars set to clash
Annike provides the quality
27 May 20: The upcoming Thursday card at Øvrevoll gets its highlight already in the second race of the evening, Funny Legend Handicap, set to be contested over 1600 metres on the turf course. With three of the runners all trained by Annike, we can safely say that she is providing the quality on this, the sixth raceday of the season. Swedish Dream, one of the best older horses in Scandinavia last year, gets his seasonal debut and he will once more be partnered by Carlos Lopez. Unwanted Beauty, last year's Norwegian 1,000 Guineas winner, is set for her second start in 2020, after having finished seventh in Fam E Nagell-Erichen's Hoppeløp on May 17. Alan Wallace takes the ride on the handsome Iffraaj filly. Annike's third card in this feature event is millionaire Calcaterre, a dual winner in 2019 coming off a really positive fourth place finish behind high class sprinters on May 17. He will be ridden by Ulrika Holmquist this time. Who has the best chance? Hard to say but a clean sweep is by no means impossible. These three have won 23 races between them, and their total earnings are 2,534,550 kroner. Our Boy John, a game performer previously trained by Yvonne Durant - and still owned by her husband Troy - makes his seasonal debut in the fifth race, with Emilie Finckenhagen booked to ride. GS
Sunday 17th May - racing is back on turf
Al Buraq, Calcaterre, Captain America
and Unwanted Beauty all set to run
12 May 20: We are just days from the 17th of May and - while it will no be possible to have a party at the races this year - the racing promises to be both competitive and excellent. We are particularly looking forward to seeing last year's sprint champion Captain America and classic winning filly Unwanted Beauty back in action - while Al Buraq and Calcaterre also deserve a lot of attention on this action packed Sunday.
Mestre dos Magos takes charge, again!
07 May 20: Some horses separate themselves from the bunch, stand out from the ordinary horses. This is the case for the top class performers of course, but not just for them. Some runners a bit lower on the handicapper's ranking have more impressive careers than many a classic winner. Mestre dos Magos is definitely such a horse. Having won three times in 2019, this homebred eight-year-old was approaching the new season on what appeared to be a tough handicap mark. Not that he knew of course, and after seeing him win so well this evening, on his second start of the season, many might wonder; is it possible for a horse of his age to keep on improving? It is. Racing off HC 80 and carrying top weight, Mestre dos Magos justified favouritism with a comfortable 2 1/2-length win from Kildare. This was Mestre dos Magos's ninth success from 63 career outings and he earned 28.500 kroner - pushing his grand total to 855.205 kroner. He is as good as ever, no doubt about that. Mestre dos Magos has averaged 15.447 kroner earned per start in 2019 and 2020. There should be more to come.
Lille My and Karen From Finance both ran third on the same card, enhancing the impression that Annike's team is about to find very good form as we are closing in on more valuable fixtures.
Lille My's seasonal debut full of promise
07 May 20: It was day for favourite backers on this Thursday evening, with the majority focusing on well fancied winners, such as Mestre dos Magos, London Rock and Fix Fox - but there was one performance in particular to note amongst those that did not win; Lille My's third-placed effort in the 1100-metres sprint handicap. Making her first start of the season, she was rather slow to get into her stride from the start and raced at the back of the field going into the bend - seemingly with no chance whatsoever - only to pick up really well coming down the home straight and get up for third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths and failing by no more than a head to get second. This was one of the most taking seasonal debuts seen this spring, and perhaps Lille My will become a horse to follow in 2020.
Lille My's remarkable finish almost got her up for second behind the in-form London Lock.
Four set to run
Al Buraq returns to the races
05 May 20: Al Buraq, the wonder lady who won five races in 2019, is one of four horses set to represent Annike Bye Hansen's team on Thursday night. The homebred daughter of Crocker Road goes to post for the fourth race, an 1100-metres sprint where she will clash with stable companion Lille My and five others. Mestre dos Magos runs in the following race, a 1750-metres handicap and also the first led in the popular Double bet. Karen From Finance goes to post for the second leg on that wager, tackling 1600 metres, a distance she was successful over last November. Read more about all these four in 'Stabell Talk'.
Karen From Finance, Calcaterre set to reappear
28 Apr 20: Annike will be taking the wraps off two of her trainees on Thusrday evening, as Karen From Finance and Calcaterre are both ready for racing action. They both won twice in 2019 and it will be very interesting to see how they fare this season. The relatively lighty raced Karen From Finance goes to post in the fourth race on the night, an 1100 metres sprint, and she will be partnered by Alan Wallace. Calcaterre, set to be ridden by Nora Hagelund Holm, will be in action over the same distance in the seventh and final race on the card. The Thursday card kicks off at 18.05 and concludes at 20.40. Racing programmes page
"Mestre" and "The Boss" go head to head
17 Apr 20: The scheduled opening day for 2020, next Thursday, has now been confirmed - the new season kicks off and we will be seeing Mestre Dos Magos and We Got the Boss in action - going head to head in fact. "I have been pleased with them both", Annike says, "and it will be nice to get the season up and running - the following week I may saddle as many as four runners, with Lille My, Karen From Finance, Calcaterre and Peer Gynt all getting ready to run.
The April 23 fixture, set to be staged behind closed doors, will be declared on Tuesday.
Captain America
Sprinter of The Year!
1 Feb 2020: He has long since been a stable star, and a favourite with racing fans, and he has a cv packed with impressive achievements. Now Espen Ski's old warrior Captain America also has a well deserved title, Norway's Sprinter of The Year 2019, to his name. The sprint division was a very tough one last season but Captain America beat them all - on the track and in the annual votings crowning champions. Video: Captain America winning Bro Park Vårsprint.