ANNIKE BYE HANSEN
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Webmaster & editor: Geir Stabell / www.stabell.co.uk
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Øvrevoll Galopp | Programmes | Results | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
Øvrevoll Galopp | Programmes | Results | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019
Impressive reappearance
Takeko shines at Bro Park
Impressive reappearance
Takeko shines at Bro Park
24 May 23: Takeko produced an incredibly strong seasonal debut to win the Jockeyklubbens Stolöpning at Bro Park, where she defeated the race favourite Silent Night in a thrilling finish. Takeko cam from just off the pace - set rather leisurely by Silent Night - to get upsides with about 200 metres to run, and she outbattled the latter for a thoroughly game win. The verdict was only a neck but she was clearly the best here, and that in a race that was probably not run to suit her all that well. Una Martina also finished well to be a close third.
Earlier on the card, Admiral de Vega ran third behind Like a King and Running Wolf in the Upplandlöpning, beaten three parts of a length. He dwelt from the start and raced keenly in sixth place early on, some five lengths off the leader, who set a moderate pace. Admiral de Vega swung into the middle of the course to stay on well - despite still looking a bit green - coming down the home straight. With Kick On back in fourth this was a strong renewal of the race, and Admiral de Vega's seasonal debut augurs well for the rest of the season.
Yukochan, making her first start away from home, took third in the maiden race on the card, beaten 2 lengths behind Exceed Pleasure - who was coming off a third behind Stella Kalejs over the same course. Yukochan was in midfield around the turn, left a bit flat footed when the pace quickened early in the straight, then got her act together and ran on well - she could never get to the two principals but Yukochan was the one who hit the line really hard and she looked full of energy after passing the winning post. It's hard to imagine that she will remain a maiden much longer. GS
I Rest My Case second on reappearance
25 May 23: Making her first start on the dirt track since winning a stakes event over the same course and distance as a juvenile, I Rest My Case did not seem to be in love with the surface as she made her seasonal debut over 1600 metres on the sand this Thursday evening - but she put up a game performance to finish second behind Hear The Drums in the Entangle Handicap. I Rest My Case was rather fresh after the long winter break and she raced keenly early doors, sitting last in the five-runner field, before making her best work in the home straight. Hear The Drums was not for catching and he held on by 2 1/2 lengths, while I Rest My Case beat the third placed Bullof Wall Street by the same margin.
This was a satisfactory case of job done for Stall Ella's fine daughter of Deceptor - her 4yo campaign is up and running now, and it will be back to the lawn next time out.
I Rest My Case holds an entry for the Erik O Steen Memorial, to be run on June 24. GS
Year's first raid on Bro Park
Takeko, Admiral de Vega, Yukochan all ready
Year's first raid on Bro Park
Takeko, Admiral de Vega, Yukochan all ready
21 May 23: Ten runners will be representing Norway as our friends at Bro Park stage a high quality raceday on Wednesday, and three of the ten are from Annike's team at Skoganstallen.
Takeko, who did so well on her trips to Sweden last year, goes tor the Jockeyklubbens Stolöpning, a 1600 metres contest that drew a strong field of eight runners. The likely favourite is Silent Night, locally trained by Patrick Wahl. Going into the new season on handicap 88, 2kg above Takeko (who was on 87 at her best in '22), Silent Night is also making her seasonal debut. Silent Night and Takeko ran second and third behind Ascot Brass over this course and distance last September - with two lengths between them. Jacob Johansen rides Takeoko on Wednesday as he will be taking the mounts on all of our three runners.
The winter wraps will also come off Admiral de Vega. The lightly raced four-year-old runs in Upplandslöpning, like Takeko's race a contest over 1600 metres on the turf course. This is a valuable handicap and Admiral de Vega, running off 85 (plus 1kg) will have eight rivals an carry 54kg. The two top weights, Wido Neuroth's accomplished five-year-old Like A King and Annette Stjernestrand's Valence will carry 61kg and 59kg respectively.
Yukochan makes up the trio shipping across the border and she will be trying to break her maiden - meeting eleven others over 1400 metres on the turf. Takeko's half-sister was just a head from becoming a winner on her second start last year, and she takes the highest rating into this race - though the field does have two newcomers and four horses that have raced just the once, so weighing up the opposition in this race can't be done on paper.
Bro Park race card / 24 May 23
Pramms Memorial
Youonlyliveonce seeking revenge
Pramms Memorial
Youonlyliveonce seeking revenge
May 20: The first Scandinavian black type race of the season, the Pramms Memorial, is the highlight on a fine Sunday card at Jägersro Galopp in Malmö, and Youonlyliveonce - with Jacob Johansen on board - will be taking his chance in this tough dirt track event, run over 1600 metres. He renews rivalry with Plantstepsdream, Pusjkin and Wolfof Vancouver, who all beat him when they prepped for this race over a terribly wet track last month. The conditions should suit Youonlyliveonce better this time, in what promises to be a real test. Pramms Day race card
17th of May
Tambora Queen game runner-up again
17th of May
Tambora Queen game runner-up again
17 May 23: Tambora Queen, the stable's only runner on Norway's Constitution Day, ran a game second in the Desert Rally Handicap, contested over 1750 metres on what appeared to a testing dirt track. She travelled with great zest just off the pace throughout, was well positioned in third going down the back stretch, but was caught napping when Macjack kicked on for a clear lead turning for home. Winning for a second time this season, he opened up with a determined finish and was not for catching. The race favourite, Hampus G, stayed on from the back but Tambora Queen had all the answers when the former St. Leger winner came looking for the runner-up spot, and she held him at bay to be a clear second best. Tambora Queen was runner-up also on her seasonal debut (behind Mystery Night over 1600 m / dirt) and there can be no doubt that she has retained her ability, and her appetite for racing. GS
From family of top class turf runners
Breeze up colt bought at Arqana
From family of top class turf runners
Breeze up colt bought at Arqana
15 May 23: Väsby Häst Hast has purchased an interesting juvenile colt at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sales, a US bred son of Summer Front who is set to be trained by Annike. His sire was a high class turf miler in North America, where he was trained by Christophe Clement. Summer Front won four important races over 8 and 8.5 furlongs; the Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park, the Cliff Hanger Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park and the Miami Mile (G3) at Gulfstream Park West (formerly Calder Race Course). He also ran third in one of the top turf events for sophomores, the 10-furlong Secretariat Stakes (G1) at Arlington Park, behind the French raider Bayrir, who went on to run second in the Prix Niel (G2) at Longchamp on his subsequent start. Summer Front is a half-brother to Laragh, a smart filly who won the Hollywood Starlet (G1) on dirt at two and has become good broodmare.
Our new recruit is out of Pick and Choose, a daughter of Dubai World Cup (G1) and Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) winner Street Cry (a succsessful stallion) out of Pictavia. Pick and Choose never reached the same heights as her dam but she won once from ten starts in the US, taking a mile contest on the dirt track at Hoosier Park when she was a three-year-old. Her runner-up that day, Gal Umet, was a winner of five races, so it was a competitive little affair.
Pick and Choose has done well at stud. She is also the dam of Calling the Shots, who was not all that far behind the best in Ireland as a two-year-old. He won a 7-furlong maiden at Leopardstown on his second start and followed up over the same distance at Naas next time out. A step up in class took him to the Futurity Stakes (G2) at the Curragh, where he checked in third, 2 lengths behind the winner, Rostropovich, who he had beaten at Naas. Pick and Choose, whose name was Camelback at the time, was exported to Hong Kong, where he got his new name but did not find further success. Pick and Choose is also the dam of Solid Country Gold, a winner of three races (8 and 8.5 furlongs) in the US. He was successful both on turf and dirt.
The second dam to Väsby Häst's new colt, Godolphin's lovely Sinndar daughter Pictavia, won five races, including the Select Stakes (G3) over 10 furlongs at Goodwood and three Listed events. She came close to top level success too, taking second behind Chelsea Rose in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) in her first season, and third behind Eswarah in the Vodafone Oaks (G1) at Epsom at three. Pictavia, bred by Gainborough Stud, came from the family of top class performers Hatoof and Irish Prize. GS
Feature races postponed
No turf racing on the 17th of May
Feature races postponed
No turf racing on the 17th of May
09 May: Unfortunately, after an inspection of the turf course today, it was decided to postpone all planned turf races next week, meaning that the stakes races scheduled for the 17th of May will be moved to May 25. Mother nature has not been kind to the track this spring, and it is not quite ready for racing action yet.
Please read more about this on the racecourse website.
High class racing on festive day
Early start on 17th of May
High class racing on festive day
Early start on 17th of May
08 May 23: We are just nine days away from the 17th of May - our unique constitution day - and the tradition with a racing feast on this date continues - albeit with one change; note that Øvrevoll will have an earlier start this year, as the gates open at 11.30 with the first race set to go off an hour later. Last year the first race went off at 15:20. Entries for the day will be taken today, with weights announced on Wednesday and final declarations on Thursday. The highlights are the Fam. Nagell-Erichsens Hoppeløp, for top level fillies and mares, and Forsommerløp for 3-åringer, an important contest for the homebreds.
For all racedays and stakes conditions in Norway and Scandinavia, please pick up PDF-publications in the piece below. Lots to took forward to!
RACES AND DATES NORWAY AND SCANDINAVIA
Can she repeat her '22 debut?
Tambora Queen likely favourite
Can she repeat her '22 debut?
Tambora Queen likely favourite
03 May 23: Tambora Queen, who won on opening day in 2022, is set to make her seasonal debut in the first race on Thursday evening - and she is Ola J. Jakobsen's selection in his racecard previews. She gets four rivals in the Buckham Handicap, to be staged over 1600 metres on the dirt track, and no fewer than three of them represent trainer Wido Neuroth. It may be small field but it looks rather competitive. Nora Hagelund Holm will partner Tambora Queen.
Update: Tambora Queen ran second in this race, beaten just under two lengths by Mystery Night, who was a heavily backed 1.80 favourite for the Neuroth team. A pleasing return to action for Tambora Queen.
Six intended runners on big day
Hard One To Please, General de Vega, Admiral de Vega and Tambora Queen - who will reappear next week - are also intended runners on the 17th of May. All being well, six of Annike's horses will be seen in action.
Entries for 17th of May feature
I Rest My Case and Takeko among ten pointing for the prestigious Fam. E. Nagell-Erichsen Hoppeløp
Entries for 17th of May feature
I Rest My Case and Takeko among ten pointing for the prestigious Fam. E. Nagell-Erichsen Hoppeløp
27 Apr 23: Ten fillies and mares have been entered for one of the first stakes events of the season, Fam. E. Nagell-Erichsen Hoppeløp on the 17th of May - but there could be more, as the entries have been re-opened, with a fresh deadline on May 8.
Takeko, who kicked off an excellent campaign by running second to Iron Butterfly in this race in 2022, has been entered, alongside last year's top earner in Norway, the wonder-girl I Rest My Case.
ENTRIES, FAM. E. NAGELL-ERICHSENS HOPPELØP - 1800 m Turf
Horses listed with handicap ratings
Ascot Brass / 90
Entangle Rose / 79
Flambeau Rouge / 86
I Rest My Case / 82
Iron Butterfly / 88
Monjazaat / 85
Precious / 79
Sea Lodge / 82
Smazing / 78
Takeko / 86
Youonlyliveonce fifth in Sweden
New season kicking off on Thursday
Youonlyliveonce fifth in Sweden
New season kicking off on Thursday
24 Apr 23: Annike will not have runners on the first raceday of the 2023-season, as opening day lifts the curtain on Thursday evening, but Youonlyliveonce was the first runner from the team as he was a respectable fifth to Plantstepsdream in the ITM Spring Mile (LR) over 1600 metres at Jägersro on Sunday. "The weather played its part, unfortunately", Annike says, "as a lot of rain made the track very difficult and I don't think Youonlyliveonce appreciated the conditions. He ran a game race though, and I was pleased with his effort."
Wet, or sloppy, dirt tracks favour certain types of horses - normally those who flash their speed throughout the contests. Plantstepsdream was sent to the lead and took full advantage on the front end. He won by a head from an equally game Pushkin, who was also prominent all the way. Speed ruled the race, no doubt. Youonlyliveonce was stuck wide around both turns, and he was too fresh after the winter break - seen pulling early on under jockey Jacob Johansen.
Tambora Queen will most likely be our first domestic runner of the year, as she is being aimed at a reappearance on May 4. The big guns are expected to surface on May 17.
About wet dirt tracks
About wet dirt tracks
Racedays, Øvrevoll Galopp, April May, June
April 27, May 4, 11, 17, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 24, 29
Counting down - looking ahead
Counting down - looking ahead
09 Apr 23: Happy Easter, everyone! As a boy - in other words not that long ago - coming back from the compulsory Easter skiing holiday meant a switch to two important things; getting the bicycle out of the garage and getting started on form studies for the upcoming racing season. Spring is a fine season and an exciting time of the year - filled with new expectations and hope on all fronts. Soon the horses will be loaded in the starting stalls again, and the fun can begin. Annike and her team are now counting down to Opening Day, April 27, and looking ahead to fresh challenges. GS
Click on to read Annike's pre-season talk with Birger Christensen.
Stabell talk...
Horse by horse guide - 31 pages
Stabell talk...
Horse by horse guide - 31 pages
31 March 23: With under four weeks to the first day of the 2023-season, you can now pick up the PDF-publication "Stabell Talk" - store or print out the 31-page read and get to know each and every horse, their form to date, their pedigrees, notes on their families and more. Not exactly an Easter Crime but hopefully you will find it interesting and enjoy it just as much!
Skoganstallen's staff 2023
Skoganstallen's staff 2023
Annike Bye Hansen, Sergio M. Pacheco, Nora H. Holm, Mathilde Dupuy, Cecilie Dahl, Andrew Buick
Website: Geir Stabell
Mastercraftsman filly purchased
Mastercraftsman filly purchased
20 Feb 23: Skoganstallen's latest recruit is an unraced three-year-old filly by Mastercraftman out of Jewel Of The Nile (FR), bought at the Arqana Mixed Sale last week. As this filly's sire won the Irish 2,000 Guineas Stakes (G1) and her dam is a daughter of the brilliant Epsom Derby (G1) winner Authorized, there's class top and bottom in her pedigree. Jewel Of The Nile (FR) raced just twice, without success, but she is a daughter of Prix Penelope (G3) winner Diamond Dance, and as such a half-sister to Diamond Tango, who won the Prix de Pomone (G2).
Get an in-depth presentation in Stabell Talk.
Annike talks 2023 with Tom W
Annike talks 2023 with Tom W
10 Feb 23: Annike talks horses and looks ahead to the 2023 season, read Tom W Johannessen's feature via this link, or click the photo to go to the racecourse website.
Skoganstallen sweeps 5 awards
Leading role: Hard One To Please
Poster girl: I Rest My Case, of course!
Skoganstallen sweeps 5 awards
Leading role: Hard One To Please
Poster girl: I Rest My Case, of course!
28 Jan 22: The annual awards ceremony, when Norwegian thoroughbred racing celebrates last year's champions, became a night to remember for Annike's great team. Hard One To Please, a dead cert to grab the headlines once again, picked up no fewer than three awards; Horse of The Year, Three-year-old of The Year and Stayer of The Year, while I Rest My Case was handed the award as Best Homebred of The Year. To top it off Annike was handed the Achievement of The Year award. Five awards to our excellent stable. While I Rest My Case saw off a couple of lively challengers in her division, Hard One To Please was lengths clear in his categories – just like he was in his two impressive Derby winning performances.
Takeko (filly & mare division), as well as General de Vega and Youonlyliveonce (both the sprint division) were also nominated but had to settle for minor honours on the night. The ceremony and dinner was held at Thon Hotel Oslofjord i Sandvika on Saturday evening, with these winners announced; Hard One To Please (Horse of The Year, 3yo of The Year, Stayer of The Year), I Rest My Case (Norwegian bred), Master Zone (2yo of The Year), Could Be King (Sprinter), Duca di Como (Miler), Ascot Brass (Filly & Mare), Canmore (Handicapper).
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STABELL TALK 2023 /
STABELL TALK 2023 /
GEIR STABELL's horse by horse presentation of Annike's high class team for the 2023 campaign - with articles posted weekly leading up to the new season. These horse bios, posted in reverse alphabetical order, can also be found on the horse pages.
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From a good French family
Mastercraftsman filly on board
From a good French family
Mastercraftsman filly on board
Skoganstallen's latest recruit is an unraced three-year-old filly by Mastercraftsman out of Jewel Of The Nile (FR), bought at the Arqana Mixed Sale in February. As this filly's sire won the Irish 2,000 Guineas Stakes (G1) and her dam is a daughter of the brilliant Epsom Derby (G1) winner Authorized, there's class top and bottom in her pedigree. Jewel Of The Nile (FR) raced just twice, running unplaced over 2400 metres at Maisons-Laffitte and Lyon Parilly as a three-year-old. A well related filly, she was trained by Francois Doumen.
Jewel Of The Nile is a daughter of Prix Penelope (G3) winner Diamond Dance, and as such a half-sister to Diamond Tango, who won the Prix de Pomone (G2). Diamond Dance, trained by Andre Fabre, was unraced at two and she was making only her second start when landing the Prix Penelope over 2100 metres at Saint-Cloud, where she beat Misbegotten by 1 1/2 lengths. Both fillies were coming off a Listed win on their seasonal bow, Diamond Dance having won the Prix Rose de Mai over the same course and distance three weeks earlier. Her spring form was very promising and she was considered a live contender for the Prix de Diane (G1) - French Oaks - at Chantilly in June, but Diamond Dance was sidelined and needed a break forcing her to bypass the classic. She returned to action in late August, when she ran fourth in the Prix de la Nonette (G3) over 2000 metres at Deauville. This run set her up for a crack at the Prix Vermeille (G1) over 2400 metres at Longchamp but she came up short there, finishing sixth to the high class winner Sierra Madre. Diamond Dance raced evenly throughout and was beaten 3 1/4 lengths. It was a decent effort and she went on to run fourth and fifth in a pair of Group 3 contests in the autumn before her career came to a close.
Her best offspring to date is Diamond Tango, a daughter of Acatenango who was also handled by Fabre. She was a good fifth in the Prix Vermeille (G1) as a three-year-old and at four she won the Prix de Pomone (G2) over 2500 metres at Deauville. Diamond Tango has become the dam of smart performers both on the flat and over jumps. Her son Desert Skyline was a 112-rated stayer in England, where he won three races and earned £373,089. His best win came in the Doncaster Cup (G2), contested over 2 miles and 2 furlongs.
There is stamina the bottom half of this filly's pedigree, but she should get speed from her sire, who was a Guineas winner. He was also runner-up to the outstanding Sea The Stars in the Juddmonte International (G1) over a testing 10.5-furlong trip at York, and Mastercraftsman has sired both a St. Leger (G1) winner in Kingston Hill and a top class 10-furlong plus performer in The Grey Gatsby, so we know that this stallion can get runners that stay. GS 270223
Three wins at three
Admiral de Vega – seems on the right track
Three wins at three
Admiral de Vega – seems on the right track
Admiral de Vega, yet another talented son of Lope de Vega, won three of his five races last year and those three wins have one thing in common; they were gained in events that have worked out tremendously well. While improving with each start, Admiral de Vega was beating horses that were either coming off career best efforts or moving onto career best efforts in their subsequent starts. Normally, it's easy to pick a hole or two in handicap races – not so when it came to those Admiral de Vega won. Nor the 3yo contest that set the ball rolling, for that matter. It was all rock solid, and who know what this four-year-old can achieve in 2023. There are no guarantees in this sport, and to say that he absolutely will continue improving at four would be folly, though it does appear likely that he will.
His first win was gained over 1600 metres over a good turf course in late July, when he just pipped fellow sophomore Let's Go Crazy in a close photo finish. Trent was 5 ½ lengths back in third place. This form stood up to inspection all right. Not only did Admiral de Vega win on his next two runs, so did Let's Go Crazy, picking up a couple of nice races at Bro Park.
Admiral de Vega became one of Annike's runners on what was to become a memorable Derby day, and he made his contribution by beating Harrier Hawk, Close To Perfect and Purple Ace in the competitive Sudost Handicap over 1600 metres. The race was worth 55.000 kroner to the winner. Admiral de Vega's final kick was impressive enough to start believing that he will one day be running for bigger purses. His runner-up had won his two preceding races and came to Derby day with a strong formline reading 6th, 1st, 2st, 1st, 1st. Close To Perfect went on to win next time out, while Purple Ace won his next two races.
Naturally, these two wins meant that Admiral de Vega would have to move up in class, though Annike wisely decided to stick to handicap company for his next outing, in the Victoria Prada Handicap over 1370 metres in September. Admiral de Vega won again, this time beating Herewegodandy by 1 ¾ lengths, with Miss Haven third and Intella fourth. The latter was the winner of the Norwegian 1.000 Guineas. Miss Haven went on to win the valuable Adalöpning in Sweden the following month, and Herewegodandy was coming off a win when meeting 'the Admiral' in the Victoria Prada.
Admiral de Vega was given a crack at a stakes event as his final outing at thre, and ran respectably to take third, beaten by Running Rolf and Chianti, in the Mischa Kahns Minneslöpning at Bro Park in October. That was on dirt, and whether he liked it or not is hard to say. His turf form has been so smart, however, and his turn of foot makes one to lean towards the belief that turf will always be his came. As they say; only time will tell. GS 022223
Well bred youngster
Case Closed - half brother to Semper Fi
Well bred youngster
Case Closed - half brother to Semper Fi
A gelded son of of Deceptor, the three-year-old Case Closed is out of the Academy Award mare Candyfloss, who won twice and was runner-up eight times in a career spanning 17 starts. Candyfloss was no star but she was a game and genuine handicapper who won over 1800 metres at Klampenborg in Denmark and over 2400 metres at Gothenburg in Sweden, where she defeated the six-time winner Sir Benjamin. Her best piece of form was probably when she ran second to Ray in the prestigious Sceptre Stakes over 2200 metres at Klampenborg as a four-year-old. She was also second best in the Breeders' Cup Consolation, run over 1800 metres at the same venue, during the same campaign. Bred by Stutteri Hjortebo in Denmark, Candyfloss earned handicap 79 at her best. She was trained by Søren Jensen. Her record at stud is a work in progress as she has thus far produced one smart winner, namely Semper Fi, a daughter of Scandinavian champion Appel Au Maitre. Semper Fi is a name racing fans warmed to fairly easily last year. She was a quick learner for trainer Raphael Freire and became one of the best juveniles around, winning the Breeders' Trophy Juvenile at Bro Park in her fourth career start. She beat Bearium, Smooth Operator and Titannia in the September feature and it is fair to say that expectations are high for this filly's classic season. When sent to Sweden, Semper Fi was coming off a good second to Hear The Drums in Skandinavisk Mesterskap for 2-åringer at Øvrevoll in August. Her maiden win happened over 900 metres on her second start but she had no issues with 1400 metres in the Skandinavisk Mesterskap and 1370 metres at Bro Park, and she ran second to Intella in the Norwegian 1,000 Guineas - beaten just a quarter of a length over the 1600-metres trip, and went on to take third in Skandinavisk Mesterskap over 1800 metres - behind Hear The Drums and I Rest My Case. Semper Fi, who is now a broodmare, is by the high class middle distance stallion Appel Au Maitre.
Case Closed's sire Deceptor, on the other hand, is a son of a French champion miler, Machiavellian, and his dam, Satin Flower, won the Jersey Stakes (G3) over 7 furlong at Royal Ascot. Deceptor's pedigree is not that of a potential speed sire, but it does lend itself more to speed than stamina, that's for sure. That said, Deceptor is the sire of Giovanni Nobile, who Annike also trained. Giovanni Nobile was a winner of 8 races, and he stayed 2400 metres all right (winning three times over that distance). He was out of Born To Win, a Chilean bred mare by Special Quest – who won the Prix Noailles (G2) over 2200 metres in France as a three-year-old and did well over shorter distances in North America subsequently, winning the Millennium Mile Handicap (LR) at Golden Gate Fields. GS 270223
Swedish Dream's half-brother
Catch a Dream - a son of Postponed
Swedish Dream's half-brother
Catch a Dream - a son of Postponed
A half-brother to Swedish Dream, who retired at the end of the 2022-season, Catch a Dream will be part of Anniike's team in 2022. This French bred colt is a son of Postponed, a high class middle distance performer for trainer Roger Varian in Newmarket, who guided the son of Dubawi through an excellent career that included top level wins in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Juddmonte International Stakes and Sheema Classic. The dam, Demeanour, was a Listed winner in Sweden and she comes from the solid female line that also produced Irish St. Leger (G1) winner Dark Lomond, Dubai Gold Cup (G2) winner Chartres as well as Gothic Dream, runner-up in the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) and third in the Irish Oaks (G1).
Demeanour ran 29 times for three wins, five second place finishes and eight third place finishes. Her win strike rate was thus just over 10% but note how often she finished in the top three - and she was competing in some tough races. Bred by Barronstown Stud in the USA, she was trained by Valmir De Azeredo. Her career high was the win in Jockeyklubbens Avelslöpning (LR) over 2400 metres on dirt at Jägersro, where she defeated the Wido Neuroth trained star La Zona to win by a head. The English raider Allannah Abu, representing Sir Mark Prescott's Newmarket team, finished third, a length and a half behind the two principles. La Zona was 92kg-rated winner of 11 races, including the following year's edition of the same event and also the Swedish Oaks, while Allannah Abu was a winner of three races in England, so it's safe to say that Demeanour produced a strong performance on this occasion. Theatrical Award was amongst the unplaced runners.
Out of a mare with such stamina, and by Postponed - who won at the top level over 12 furlongs in England -, Catch a Dream is bred to stay further than Swedish Dream did. He was at his best from 1600 to 1800 metres. Whatever distance proves to suit him best, let's hope Catch a Dream one day runs to the same level of form as Swedish Dream did - though first things first; 2023 will probably be a learning season for this well bred import. GS 290223
PDF-catalogue page / Arqana Sales
Top sprinter ready for '23
General de Vega - have you missed him?
Top sprinter ready for '23
General de Vega - have you missed him?
General de Vega, who was Sprinter of The Year in Norway in 2021 – and nominated as one of the finalists in the same category in 2022 – was restricted to just three starts last season, and he will be on a retrieving mission this year. Two of his runs in '22 were pretty strong, and it was unfortunate that illness prevented him from having a more productive campaign. After having won three of his eight races in '21, he resurfaced in a competitive handicap over 1170 metres / turf at Øvrevoll last June. The ground was soft, five others took him on, he was giving weight to all five, the betting public made General de Vega the even money favourite to come out on top and they were right. Ridden by Jacob Johansen, General de Vega took the race by half a length, chased home by his stable companion Youonlyliveonce. Backcountry was a well beaten third, while Prince Of Tides – the second favourite – wound up in fourth place, beaten 7 ½ lengths. It was what we could call a perfect seasonal debut, in a race contested by runners who all like to win. The first four home have captured no fewer than 37 wins between them.
The Bro Park Vårsprint was next on General de Vega's agenda. He had won the Listed contest a year earlier and he was strongly fancied to repeat, but his arch rival Could Be King just got the better of him, winning the race by a nose as the two high class sprinters fought out a nail biting finish. Brian Ryan, also representing Norway, completed the Trippel, passing the winning post 2 ½ lengths behind the two principals. It was one of the best sprint races all year, and augured really well for the rest of the season. Well, for General de Vega, the season would prove to be all but over, as he ran just once more, coming home last in the Zawawi Cup (LR) on dirt at Jägersro, while Could Be King franked the form by four straight wins in the second half of the season.
General de Vega has turned six now but there should be plenty of mileage left in this warrior. After all, he has had just 15 career start, not much for a horse of his age. He was May foal, so given just one run as a juvenile (winning a maiden) and no more than four at three (when trained by Lars Kelp). He has passed the million-kroner earnings mark and he has 6 wins plus 7 placings to date.
General de Vega's dam, Just Little (Grand Slam) had son by Almanzor at the Tattersalls October Sales last year, and he was bought by leading French trainer Jean Claude Rouget, who went to 115,000 guineas to secure him. This two-year-old colt has been named Adviento. Just Little also has a 2022-filly by Sea The Moon.
There's not much more new to report about General de Vega's family, other than the fun fact that he has a half-brother active over jumps in England these days. Trained by Gary Moore, this gelding has won twice on the flat (once in Listed company in Paris) and twice over hurdles. He is called Naturally High – a name that wouldn't be out of place at Skoganstallen, come to think of it! GS 260223
Hard One To Please – Horse of the Year
Hard One To Please – Horse of the Year
Last year's undisputed star in Scandinavia, Hard One To Please, was voted 2022 Horse of The Year in Norway, a title that was never in much doubt. What was, however, was his prospects of landing the odds in the Stockholm Cup International (G3), a race where he looked a certain loser turning for home – only to produce a tremendous finish and get up to beat the English challenger Outbox in a thrilling photo finish. That must have been one of the most exciting races of the season. Hard One To Please showed us a new dimension that day, as he proved that not only did he have the talent to get himself out of trouble, but also that he was well equipped for a street fight.
Landing a punch is one thing, and he had seen him doing that to some effect, but being able to take a punch is quite different. Some highly talented runners have been lacking in that department, many because they had become too accustomed to winning with ease. Not Hard One To Please. He knuckled down gamely as he was chasing the leaders coming down the home straight at Bro Park, and he found another gear in the closing stages. It was as easy as his two classic wins, in the Swedish Derby and the Norwegian Derby, both won comfortably. Actually, that's not quite right. His winning run at Jägersro, where he proved himself on dirt, did ask a lot more of him than his stroll back on turf in Norway, and perhaps it was a valuable learning experience. He came from off the pace to win the Swedish Derby by 2 measured lengths from Steinar, with the rest a long way further back. Steinar went on to win big himself next time out and it was rather obvious what horse they all had to beat when we came to the Norwegian Derby in late August. Derby Trial winner Pas de Faux had his supporters and was backed as as if he would have a serious chance, but looking at the formbook one might say “really?” The answer out of the course was an emphatic “not at all”. Hard One To Please, who had been ridden by Oliver Wilson in the Swedish Derby but now had Jacob Johansen on board, absolutely trounced his rivals to win by 14 lengths. Pas de Faux was outstayed by the fily Sea Lodge for second as the two Neuroth trainees filled out the trippel. The runner-up went on to win the Danish Oaks two weeks later. That result made the Norwegian Derby form a bit easier to assess, it was undoubtedly the best seen amongst the three-year-olds in Scandinavia.
The next test would be a lot more informative. Hard One To Please was being pointed at the Stockholm Cup International (G3) at Bro Park in September, when he would be facing older horses. The Cup, often billed as Scandinavia's 'Arc', drew a solid field of 15 runners. Amongst them was the German trained Virginia Storm, who had run third to Prix de l'Arc winner Torquator Tasso and second to German Derby runner-up Alter Adler at home. Virginia Storm's best form made him one to fear. Then we had Outbox, flying the English flag for a second time at Bro Park, having run such a good second in the 2021 edition of the Stockholm Cup, Oslo Cup (G3) winner Quebello and local hero Espen Hill. Ulf Zeider, one of the best judges of form in Sweden, gave this prediction in his racecard preview; Hard One To Please first, Outbox second, Virginia Storm third. He wasn't far wrong. Virginia Storm ran no sort of a race and finished second last, running as if something was amiss, while Hard One To Please pipped Outbox to win by a nose. Master Bloom, like Outbox another horse to have been placed in a previous edition of the event, ran third, while Quebello took fourth.
His win at Bro Park, where he was partnered by Pat Cosgrave, gave Hard One To Please a unique treble; the Swedish Derby on dirt, the Norwegian Derby over the undulating and testing course at Øvrevoll, and the Stockholm Cup at Bro Park, a flat, more US-style oval. Will this treble ever be repeated? It may, but it's probably long odds-on that he won't happen anytime soon. Väsby Häst AB's top performer is an unusually versatile performer, and a well deserving Horse of The Year. His 2023 campaign could be really exciting, though there will be no more cruising runs against his own age group only. The gloves will come off more than once in 2023, as he takes aim at the top races in Scandinavia. Those with similar aspirations have one thing in common; they all know that they will be up against a true champion. GS 290123
Lady Foudine,
unraced three-year-old
Lady Foudine,
unraced three-year-old
Roar Hoel, of Stall RH, imported an interesting young filly in 2021; the Danish bred Lady Foudine, a soon to be three-year-old daughter of Moohaajim. She did not run at two. This handsome gal is by a stallion who was both speedy and precocious but the bottom half of her pedigree is mainly about stamina, as she come from a French family full of winners over distances stretching up to 2,500 metres – some of them pretty smart.
Her sire, the Cape Cross son Moohaajim, was trained by Marco Botti in Newmarket. Moohaajim was one of the best youngsters of his crop, winning the 6-furlong Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury before running second the Middle Park Stakes (G1) over the same distance at Newmarket, where he split high class rivals Reckless Abandon and Gale Force Ten in a close finish of necks. His win at Newbury came at the main expense of Rose Bowl Stakes (LR) winner Master Of War, who he beat readily by 1 ¾ lengths. Moohaajim opened his three-year-old campaign well enough, taking third to top class miler Olympic Glory in the Greenham Stakes (G3) back at Newbury in the spring, but his next to last finish in the 2,000 Guineas Stakes (G1) two weeks later was unfortunately to be his career finale. He was retired due to injury.
Lady Foudine is out of Fouqueville, a Le Havre daughter who won twice and earned French handicap 42,5kg at her best (approximately 95 on the international scale). Foqueville was successful over 1,900 metre and 1,950 metres, and she ran fifth in the Prix Occitaine (LR) over 1,900 metres, a race her dam, Langrune (Fasliyev) had finished second in back in her racing days. Langrune raced only as a three-year-old, winning three of her six races. She entered the winners' circle after contests over 1,400 metres, 1,500 metres and 1,800 metres, and she has been a very productive broodmare. Five of her foals became winners, the best known being Orbec – a brother to Fouqueville. Orbec won three times in France, producing his best piece of form when capturing the Grand Prix de Clairefontaine (LR) over 2,500 metres at Deauville. He was subsequently exported to Australia, where he was runner-up in the Newcastle Gold Cup (G3) over 2,300 metres. Echauffour, another brother to Fouqueville, won eight races in France, proving effective from 1,900 metres to 2,400 metres, while two fillies by Air Vice Marshall out of Langrune were winners over 1,800 metres, 1950 metres and 2000 metres.
With a fast father, and with Le Havre, a son of Noverre, as her broodmare sire, one would be inclined to think that Lady Foudine will not be short of speed when her racing days get underway – but her dam's side tells us that she should not be short of stamina either. On paper, this filly is a truly fascinating prospect. GS 250223
Homebred of The Year
I Rest My Case - she's the poster girl
Homebred of The Year
I Rest My Case - she's the poster girl
Presenting the winner of the award as Best Homebred of The Year in 2022; I Rest My Case, Skoganstallen's popular poster girl.
I Rest My Case earned more prize money than any other horse in running in Norway last year, when she won the valuable Drømmemilen on Derby, picking up 312,000 kroner after what looked like a racecourse gallop, and the historic Brukseier Eivind Lyches Minneløp – an important event for homebred horses. She was also runner-up in the Breeders' Prize, Skandinavisk Mesterskap and against imports in the Derby Trial, a performance that posed the question “should she go for the Derby?”. Well, she didn't – instead taking in the mile race on Derby day, which she won with ridiculous ease, cantering home by 15 ¼ lengths from No Compromise. It was as hard to assess the value of this form as it was not to be impressed by the performance. I Rest My Case won the race with such ease and it would have taken a very good horse to keep up with her on this occasion.
Her win in Lyches Minneløp was also a bit of a stroll, as she outclassed her rivals to win the 1980-metres turf contest by 5 ¼ lengths. Buckybelle finished second, and Queen of Antaktis filled third place, beaten almost nine lengths. This was also a case of I Rest My Case being far too good for her rivals.
She was being tested against better performers though, and ran solid races to be placed in important events. She was second to Hear The Drums in the Skandinavisk Mesterskap for 3yos in July, going down by a neck at the end of a hotly contested race over 1800 metres / turf. Semper Fi was 1 ½ lengths behind her in third, with Sugar Crust fourth. The Derby Trial, run in early August, meant a step up in distance + a clash with good imports. The trip, 2160 metres, did not get the better of I Rest My Case, she stayed all right, but Pas de Faux did. He beat her by 3 lenghts and soon became many people's idea of the 2022 Derby winner. As we know, Hard One To Please had other ideas, but Pas de Faux did frank the Derby Trial form by running third in the Derby – after having been committed far too soon.
Derby day results thus underscored the fact that I Rest My Case was a homebred somewhat out of the ordinary. Such horses are bound to end up in the top races for Scandinavian breds, and I Rest My Case next shipped to Bro Park, to contest the 15-runner Breeders' Trophy Classic. Things had gone pretty smoothly in her previous races but that was not the case at Bro Park, where she faced an impossible task after a very slow start. She stayed on gamely in the home straight but was beaten by five of her rivals. Titannia, the Danish Derby winner, came out on top, beating Giant Fortune narrowly. I Rest My Case passed the winning post 3 ½ lengths behind the winner. Compared to Titannia, who made all, I Rest My Case's start loss was about twice that margin. Her next run, in the Breeders' Prize Classic back home, was better – but also a bit unfortunate – as she ended up on the wrong side of the course when delivering her challenge. Hear The Drums beat her by a length and I Rest My Case was a quarter of a length in front of the third placed runner, Chianti. Good Fortune finished fourth and Titannia disappointed to came home third last.
I Rest My Case rounded her season off in the Norwegian Oaks, run in mid-October. She went off second favourite behind Sea Lodge, who had run second in the Derby. On paper, the classic looked like a two-horse affair, but 18-1 shot Crack The Sky upset the two leading contenders to win from the front. It was an excellent winning ride by Per-Anders Gråberg. Sea Lodge beat I Rest My Case by a neck for second.
What can we expect from I Rest My Case in 2023? It's dangerous to have too high expectations, as her four-year-old campaign must be altogether different to 2022. There will be opporunities in races for Scandinavian breds, but not as many as these horses enjoy when they are three, and I Rest My Case will have to step up against imports. Stakes events for fillies and mares are well worth considering, although the official handicapper has I Rest My Case 8kg below Ascot Brass, 6kg below Iron Butterfly and Silent Night, and 5kg below Takeko. There's a gap to close there, no doubt, but don't be too surprised if I Rest My Case proves to be up to it. GS 290123
Danish bred with a winning pedigree
Left U Speechless – Good Fortune's brother
Danish bred with a winning pedigree
Left U Speechless – Good Fortune's brother
Left U Speechless is a full-brother Good Fortune, a highly successful runner trained by Sören Jensen. He won twice at his home venue Klampenborg as a juvenile, then developed into one of the best three-year-olds the following season, when he ran third in the Danish Derby before winning the Breeders' Trophy Classic and Jockeyklubbens Grand Prix at Bro Park in Sweden. He beat Hollywoodboulevard by 2 ½ lengths in the latter, while his win in the Breeders' Trophy Classic was gained at the main expense of Iron Butterfly, who was 1 ½ lengths behind him passing the winning post. Hollywoodboulevard was a well beaten third that day.
Keeping his form well at four, Good Fortune won the Breeders' Trophy Mile at Bro Park last September (this time beating Hollywoodboulevard by half a length over 1600 metres). He had earlier run second in the Listed Pokalløp at Klampenborg, where King David proved too good, and he opened his 2023 campaign by winning a valuable handicap at Meydan in Dubai, where he scored narrowly over 2000 metres. Good Fortune may be best from 1600 to 2000 metres, but Jockeyklubbens Grand Prix is contested over 2100 metres and he has also won over 2200 metres.
Left U Speechless actually looks a bit like his famous sibling, and he is an exciting newcomer at Skoganstallen. No races are won on paper, but he does have the pedigree to do well. His sire, Appel Au Maitre, was s Scandinavian champion and has done really well at stud, while his dam, the unraced Eko Palace Bay (Siyouni), has also produced Aperola with Appel Au Maitre. Aperola won 8 races from 1200 metres (at two) to 1800 metres. All of her wins have come on turf, the most notable in the Produce Stakes, and Aperola has also been placed in some tough stakes events, including a solid third behind Hollywoodboulevard and Master Bloom in the 2022 Skandinavisk Grand Prix (when Good Fortune had to settle for fourth place).
Acqualina Beauty (Montjeu), who is the second dam of Left Up Speechless, is well known as an excellent broodmare. Imported from the US, where she ran fifth on her only start, Acqualina Beauty is the dam of smart stakes winners Steinway (Danish Breeders' Cup, Danish St. Leger etc.) and Brunello (Danish Oaks, Vinterfavoriternes etc.). Her dam, Coolamon (Saratoga Six) won twice at Arlington International as a juvenile, scoring over 6 and 6.5 furlongs on dirt. GS 230223
Son of Frankel's brother
Money Mission – bred to improve with age
Son of Frankel's brother
Money Mission – bred to improve with age
Money Mission, a son of Frankel's brother Noble Mission, was trained by Tina Smith as a two-year-old and he joined Annike's team late in 2022. He ran three time and was placed once in his first season, when second to Starlight Song over 1370 metres / turf on his racecourse introduction. Starlight Song went on to win the Tattersalls Heatheworld Cup and the Amacitalopning in Sweden, so one can safely say that Money Mission was a bit unlucky in picking the day to make his debut. Money Mission also ran in the Heatherwold, but could manage only fourth place. He next tried the Norsk Kriterium and came home in fifth behind the winner, Ami de Vega, Stripesof Stars, Give Me Space and Chadwick.
Money Mission's pedigree points to improvement with age. Noble Mission, who was much more than a training partner and brother to the incredible Frankel, has done really well as a stallion, and it's well worth noting that he has sired high class performers on dirt in North America as well as on turf in Europe. In fact, his best offspring to date is Code of Honor, who was an absolute star for New York trainer Shug “Easy Goer” McGaughey a couple of years ago. Code of Honor won the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga – a race often referred to as the Midsummer Derby – and he beat subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Vino Rosso in the all-aged Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. He was also part of the controversial 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1), when Maximum Security was disqualified for having caused interference to War of Will – something that handed the win to Country House, with Code of Honor third. Code of Honor was about to gain momentum in his career then, and he got better in the second hand of the season.
Noble Mission was also a good three-year-old but he found his best form at five, when he won three Group One events; the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 10.5 furlongs at The Curragh in Ireland, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) over 2400 metres in France and finally the 10-furlong Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot on his swansong.
Money Mission is out of the the lightly raced maiden winner Beckoning (Kodiac). Beckoning is a granddaughter to Hellvellyn, who is best known as the dam of Fast and Furious, a smart turf performer in France and North America, where he was second in the Hollywood Derby (G1) and third in the Shoemaker Mile (G1). GS 200223
Eye catching son of Wentworth
Run For Justice - he looks the part
Eye catching son of Wentworth
Run For Justice - he looks the part
Run For Justice is a well made, attractive juvenile is by Wentworth – a stallion that seems to be on the brink of making a name for himself in Denmark, where he was being trained by Bettina Andersen, after having been with Richard Hannon in his younger days. Wentworth, a son of high class sprinter and equally successful stallion Acclamation, was not a top flight performer – but he did well in his racing career, winning two of his three races as a juvenile before following up with strong handicap form at three, when he captured the valuable Betfred Mile at Glorious Goodwood. Wentworth beat the favourite Cape Peron at Goodwood, a rival that went on to win the Prix du Ranelagh (LR) at Chantilly in France on his next start. Wentworth had previously run well to check in fourth when favourite for the one-mile Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot, where he went down by 1 ¾ lengths behind Beauty Flame, subsequent G2 winner with G1 placings in Hong Kong. Wentworth's best hour in Scandinavia was a win in the Pokalløb (LR) over 1800 metres at Klampenborg in 2014. He took that event with ease, beating Jubilance by 4 lengths, with Falconet back in third place.
Wentworth is a half-brother to Sandiva (Footstepsinthesand), a smart filly who ran fifth to Rizeena in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot as a three-year-old, before being exported to the USA, where she won three Grade 3 events over 8.5 and 9 furlongs, all on turf at Gulfstream Park.
Run For Justice is out of the lightly raced High Chaparral daughter Rivers Run, sold for €5,000 to York Stud at the 2017 Goffs February Sales. She had changed hands for 65,000 guineas in England as a yearling. Rivers Run's career was far too brief. She ran only five times and won a maiden heat over 12 furlongs at Kempton Park as a four-year-old, beating Start Seven, a good handicapper that went on win three races. Rivers Run is a half-sister to Pas de Secrets, winner of the Songline Classic (LR) over 2100 metres on dirt at Bro Park (beating Red Hot Chili) and Jägersro Cup over 3200 m / dirt (from Momentum), runner-up to Our Last Summer in the Norwegian Derby and third to Privilegiado in the Oslo Cup (G3), both over 2400 metres turf at Øvrevoll. Pas de Secrets was trained by Wido Neuroth. Rivers Run and Pas de Secrets were out of Quiet Waters, a daughter of NYRA Mile (G1) winner Quiet American trained by Andre Fabre in France. Quiet Waters ran rust three times without troubling the judge, and it's fair to assume that she had some sort of a problem. GS 100223
Homebred of The Year
I Rest My Case - she's the poster girl
Homebred of The Year
I Rest My Case - she's the poster girl
Presenting the winner of the award as Best Homebred of The Year in 2022; I Rest My Case, Skoganstallen's popular poster girl.
I Rest My Case earned more prize money than any other horse in running in Norway last year, when she won the valuable Drømmemilen on Derby, picking up 312,000 kroner after what looked like a racecourse gallop, and the historic Brukseier Eivind Lyches Minneløp – an important event for homebred horses. She was also runner-up in the Breeders' Prize, Skandinavisk Mesterskap and against imports in the Derby Trial, a performance that posed the question “should she go for the Derby?”. Well, she didn't – instead taking in the mile race on Derby day, which she won with ridiculous ease, cantering home by 15 ¼ lengths from No Compromise. It was as hard to assess the value of this form as it was not to be impressed by the performance. I Rest My Case won the race with such ease and it would have taken a very good horse to keep up with her on this occasion.
Her win in Lyches Minneløp was also a bit of a stroll, as she outclassed her rivals to win the 1980-metres turf contest by 5 ¼ lengths. Buckybelle finished second, and Queen of Antaktis filled third place, beaten almost nine lengths. This was also a case of I Rest My Case being far too good for her rivals.
She was being tested against better performers though, and ran solid races to be placed in important events. She was second to Hear The Drums in the Skandinavisk Mesterskap for 3yos in July, going down by a neck at the end of a hotly contested race over 1800 metres / turf. Semper Fi was 1 ½ lengths behind her in third, with Sugar Crust fourth. The Derby Trial, run in early August, meant a step up in distance + a clash with good imports. The trip, 2160 metres, did not get the better of I Rest My Case, she stayed all right, but Pas de Faux did. He beat her by 3 lenghts and soon became many people's idea of the 2022 Derby winner. As we know, Hard One To Please had other ideas, but Pas de Faux did frank the Derby Trial form by running third in the Derby – after having been committed far too soon.
Derby day results thus underscored the fact that I Rest My Case was a homebred somewhat out of the ordinary. Such horses are bound to end up in the top races for Scandinavian breds, and I Rest My Case next shipped to Bro Park, to contest the 15-runner Breeders' Trophy Classic. Things had gone pretty smoothly in her previous races but that was not the case at Bro Park, where she faced an impossible task after a very slow start. She stayed on gamely in the home straight but was beaten by five of her rivals. Titannia, the Danish Derby winner, came out on top, beating Giant Fortune narrowly. I Rest My Case passed the winning post 3 ½ lengths behind the winner. Compared to Titannia, who made all, I Rest My Case's start loss was about twice that margin. Her next run, in the Breeders' Prize Classic back home, was better – but also a bit unfortunate – as she ended up on the wrong side of the course when delivering her challenge. Hear The Drums beat her by a length and I Rest My Case was a quarter of a length in front of the third placed runner, Chianti. Good Fortune finished fourth and Titannia disappointed to came home third last.
I Rest My Case rounded her season off in the Norwegian Oaks, run in mid-October. She went off second favourite behind Sea Lodge, who had run second in the Derby. On paper, the classic looked like a two-horse affair, but 18-1 shot Crack The Sky upset the two leading contenders to win from the front. It was an excellent winning ride by Per-Anders Gråberg. Sea Lodge beat I Rest My Case by a neck for second.
What can we expect from I Rest My Case in 2023? It's dangerous to have too high expectations, as her four-year-old campaign must be altogether different to 2022. There will be opporunities in races for Scandinavian breds, but not as many as these horses enjoy when they are three, and I Rest My Case will have to step up against imports. Stakes events for fillies and mares are well worth considering, although the official handicapper has I Rest My Case 8kg below Ascot Brass, 6kg below Iron Butterfly and Silent Night, and 5kg below Takeko. There's a gap to close there, no doubt, but don't be too surprised if I Rest My Case proves to be up to it. GS 290123
Classy, multi talented
Takeko - coming off strong season
Classy, multi talented
Takeko - coming off strong season
Takeko enjoyed a productive season in 2022, stepping up nicely on her form as a three-year-old in 2021. when she was runner-up in the Norwegian 1,000 Guineas and won the Giant Sandman Cup. Her four-year-old exploits were even better, with the peak performance coming when she landed the Margareta Wettermarks Minneslöping on Swedish Derby day at Jägersro. Switching to dirt, after having finished second to Iron Butterfly when making her seasonal debut in the Nagell-Erichsens Hoppeløp at home and filled the same place behind Ascot Brass in the Bloomers' Vase (LR) at Bro Park, Takeko proved much too good for her nine rivals in the 1730-metres long Wettermarks. She stayed on strongly at the finish and won most comfortably by 2 lengths from Thunderey, who beat Numeira by a head for second. Aperola occupied fourth place, beaten 7 lengths by Takeko, and the entire field was strung out to the tune of almost 25 lengths.
Continuing as a regular player in the top division for fillies and mares, Takeko failed to win again but he ran solid races in defeat, and was arguably a bit unlucky when beaten a neck by Go On Calras in the Stockholm Fillies & Mares Stakes over 2100 metres / turf at Bro Park in October. She returned to Jägersro the following month and produced another game performance on the dirt track, taking third in the Jockeyklubbens Avelslöpning, beaten 3 lengths behind the smart winner Scarlett.
Takeko ended 2022 with over half a million kroner in earnings, thus climbing up to 790,475 kroner earned from 14 runs since she joined Annike's stable ahead of the 2021-season. She now has a half-sister, Yukochan, among her stable companions, and both these fillies seem likely to make a mark on the upcoming campaign. Takeko's class is undeniable and that she is just as good on dirt as she is on turf, is a big plus. Her programme as a five-year-old is more or less self explanatory, as she is likely to be seen in much the same events she ran in last year. Her results have naturally enhanced the value of her family and there was more good news for the dam, Ahd, last year. Her 2016-son by Zofanny, the Listed winner Hot Team, won twice in England, bringing his tally to six wins, and her 2017-daughter by Footstepsinthesand, One Small Step, won for a third time in Ireland. This family is full of winners and it's hard to imagine that there won't be more to come. GS 050223
She's a real bonus
Tambora Queen stays in training, that's good!
She's a real bonus
Tambora Queen stays in training, that's good!
Keeping Tambora Queen in the stable for another season must be seen a very nice bonus. Not because she is likely to win a Group race in 2023, but simply because it must have been so tempting for her owners, Stall RH, to retire this fine mare to the paddocks – or for a commercial breeder to buy her and do the same. Her days in the breeding should come, no doubt about that, but not quite yet. This daughter of Breeders' Cup winner Outstrip has been an excellent servant over the past couple of seasons, with a current record of 4 wins from 24 outings.
Two of her wins came in 2022, when she managed the unusual feat to win handicaps as early on in the season as April and as late on as November. Not many horses manage to show winning form both in the spring and in the autumn, especially handicappers. It is more common for such a thoroughbred to have one good spell, either in the first couple of months of the campaign, in the middle part, or late on in the racing year. Actually, developing and campaigning horses that are competitive all season long has been one of Annike's strongest qualities. She had Tambora Queen ready for the Amolo Handicap over 1600 metres / dirt on opening day, and the race was won by 4 ½ lengths - a great start, not just for Tambora Queen but for the entire team. It was the beginning to a season to remember, as she outclassed race favourite My French Dream with some ease. Tambora Queen was racing off 79 on her reappearance, and that was her handicap mark also when she rounded the season off with a win in the Funinthesand Handicap over 1750 metres over the same track in mid-November. This was not a similar stroll though. Once more ridden by Jacob Johansen, she fought on to the winning post to prevail by half a length after having been hard pressed by Buckyboy. Interestingly, My French Dream was third, beaten 3 ½ lengths while receiving 2kg from Tambora Queen. She was giving that same rival 3kg when the met seven months earlier.
Her November win meant that Tambora Queen was raised to handicap 81 in the end of season rankings, which is 2kg below her career best, recorded after her visually impressive debut. She made the frame five times in between these two successes, performing well both on turf and dirt. Dirt racing may be what suits her best but, if at all, she's not far behind her dirt form when racing on the lawn. She captured the valuable Energima Derby Mile over 1600 metres on turf in 2021, absolutely hammering the strongly fancied Yellow Submarine by 5 lengths. Her runner-up was odds-on to win the contest, having performeed so well to be third behind Iron Butterfly and Takeko in the Norwegian 1,000 Guineas on her previous outing, but she had no chance when Tambora Queen quickened away at the business end of the Derby Mile.
Can Tambora Queen follow up this year, as she is now aged five? There's every reason to believe that she can. She ended '22 on a high note and she has clearly been thriving on her racing. Many horses step up another notch at five. The late Charlie Whittingham was one of the first to argue that horses are at their best when they are five years old, and that it is wrong to push them hard when they are young. It has also been interesting to note how well five-year-olds have fared in European Group races over the years. Tambora Queen's breeding gives mixed messages when it comes to how she may develop as older horse, though nothing suggests that her current age will work against her. Her sire, Outstrip, was first and foremost a precocious runner but his most famous son, Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Gold Trip, definitely improved with age – taking the famous 2-mile handicap at Flemington when he was six. Tambora Queen is out of the unraced Dudley Queen, an Excellent Art mare that has also produced Poet's Dawn, a winner of eight races, including two aged seven last season.
Roar Hoel purchased Tambora Queen for just 14,000 guineas as a yearling at Tattersalls Sales in Newmarket - another example of how it is possible to recruit talented runners within a sensible budget. There must be breeders wishing they had bought her, and now keeping an eye of this mare but, as mentioned initially, 'not quite yet'. GS 310123
Full brother to Good Fortune
Full brother to Good Fortune
27 Jan 23: Bred to be special, Left U Speechless - who will be joining Annike's team along with another youngster in Run For Justice next March - is a colt likely to get a lot of attention when his racing career gets underway. His brother Good Fortune won the Breeders' Trophy Classic as a three-year-old, when he beat Iron Butterfly, and he followed up with another valuable win when landing the Breeders' Trophy Mile as a four-year-old and opened his 2023 campaign by winning a valuable handicap at Meydan in Dubai. Good Fortune, who has 9 wins from 17 starts and total earnings of over 3.3 million kroner, is trained by Søren Jensen in Denmark, where Left U Speechless was bought by Väsby Häst at the Scandinavian Open Yearling Sales in September.
This well bred colt is a son of Scandinavian Champion Appel Au Maitre, who won 12 races, including Marit Sveaas Minneløp (G3), Stockholm Cup International (G3) - twice -, Stockholm Stora Pris (G3), the Swedish Derby (LR) and the Norwegian Derby.
Left U Speechless's dam Eko Palace Bay was unraced but quickly became a success at stud. She is also the dam of Aperola, a full sister to Good Fortune who won 8 races and was placed several times in stakes company. Her finest wins came in the Future Stars and Produce Stakes. (1st posted 15 Dec 22)
Geir Stabell
Youonlyliveonce - versatile and consistent
Youonlyliveonce - versatile and consistent
A son of the little known sire Sidesteps (a dual Group 2 winning son of top class sprinter Exceed And Excel), Youonlyliveonce took another step up in 2022. Going up against the fastest turf performers in Scandinavia on a couple of occasions, he fared well enough to be nominated in the Sprinter of The Year category – alongside his stable companion General de Vega and Could Be King. Just to be mentioned with these two stars was some achievement for Youonlyliveonce, who improved his best handicap rating from 86 in 2021 to 89 last year. It's when horses start creeping up towards the crucial 90-mark that the going gets really tough. Such performers will often be burdened by top weights in handicaps and thus forced to run against the elite on conditions events and stakes races. Youonlyliveonce won twice during our most recent campaign, but his best run was probably when he grabbed second behind Could Be King in the Giant Sandman Polar Cup (LR) at Øvrevoll in August. One of the strong undercard events on Derby day, the Polar Cup, contested over 1370 metres, represented a step up in class for Youonlyliveonce. He took it all in his stride, and came home as a game runner-up. He could never pose a serious threat to the favourite, who beat him by 2 ¾ lengths at level weights, but Youonlyliveonce had some smart performers well behind him and suddenly Väsby Häst had two high class sprinters on their hands. He was not able to reproduce the form in the Bro Park Sprint Championship (LR) in September (finished eighth, 6 lengths behind Could Be King) but he gained another Listed placing when third in the one-mile Arnifinn Lunds Minneløp back on home soil in October. Like A King captured that event from Wishformore.
Youonlyliveonce's main assets are his consistency and versatility. He kept his form well to the end of the season, winning a handicap over 1730 metres on the dirt track 18 days after the Arnfinn Lunds. Running off 88, he was conceding weight all round and ran out a game winner from Monjazaat, with Tambora Queen third and We Got The Boss fourth. Of the race's total pot of 80,000 kroner, 66,400 went to horses trained at Skoganstallen. Looking at the form of the one that denied Annike a clean sweep, we see that Monjazaat is no slouch. She has three wins to her name and was beaten just a neck when second to Flambeau Rouge in the 2021 Norwegian Oaks. Giving Monjazaat 3kg, Youonlyliveonce beat her by half a length. He wasn't done yet, however. Three and a half weeks further into the autumn, he turned up for a competitive mile handicap on the dirt track at Jägersro Galopp, and finished second, beaten less than two lengths by Plantstepsdream. This was Youonlyliveonce's 13th start in 2022. He finished in the top three on no fewer than nine occasions. His first win of the year came in a sprint handicap on the turf course in early June, a race he won narrowly from Herewegodandy.
With strong form both on turf and dirt, and proven from 1170 metres to 1600 metres, this six-year-old still has many options and, although he meets the season on a handicap mark that makes things a notch more difficult, there's no reason to doubt that Youonlyliveonce can do well also in 2023. GS 230123
Half a head from being a winner
Yukochan - ready to step up at three
Half a head from being a winner
Yukochan - ready to step up at three
Given how her famous half-sister Takeko improved from two to three, it's fair to assume that Yukochan can improve in 2023 - though will she be as good as Takeko? That, as they say, remains to be seen - but the way she shaped as a juvenile suggests that she is one to look forward to seeing race on. She is a maiden, but that's down to bad luck, not for want of trying. In fact, this filly has yet to finish worse than second. She was beaten half a head coming up against Stripeof Stars when making her second start last November, tackling 1600 metres on the dirt track. The two had the race between them through the final furlong and, as Yukochan ran a bit greenly, her rival's experience probably became the telling factor. That said, the photo could have gone either way and who wouldn't fancy Yukochan in a rematch? Stripesof Stars was the odds-on favourite, having run second, beaten just two lengths behind Ami de Vega, in the Norsk Kriterium on his previous outing. Flower Power, who checked in a length and a half behind Yukochan in third place, had also won previously, and the form looked good.
Yukochan turned out once more before the season came to a close, taking part in a similar contest eleven days later. She was sent off as a narrow favourite and ran another fine race, though her market rival, Chadwick, proved too good, denying her by open lengths. It's hard to know which of these two performances was the better. It may have been the run against Stripesof Stars but note that Chadwick was coming off a fifth place finish in Vinterfavoriternas Pris at Bro Park, a race won by the smart Got A Lot from Cotton Eye Joe, another high class youngster based in Sweden. Either way, Yukochan ought to be strongly fancied were she to stick to maiden company early in the 2023-season. After that, we shall she how she can progress. All of her runs in 2022 came on dirt (she was runner-up to Soulofchess over 1100 metres on her debut) and it will be interesting to see her on turf. GS 230111
Two new recruits
Interesting youngsters transferred
Two new recruits
Interesting youngsters transferred
07 Jan 23: Two lightly raced three-year-old fillies have joined Annike's team; Djamila, formerly trained by Cathrine Erichsen, and Hwin, handled by Raphael Freire last year, are well bred, interesting newcomers at Skoganstallen. Djamila (Evasive) is a half-sister to champion homebred juvenile Purple Ace, while Hwin (Sir Lando) is a half-sister to I Rest My Case - one of our stars in 2022, when she became the top earner in Norway. These two fillies are both maidens, Hwin having raced twice and Djamila having raced just once. They will be presented in depth in the upcoming Stabell Notes series - in preparation for the 2023-season.
Five horses nominated to
Horse of The Year Awards
Five horses nominated to
Horse of The Year Awards
The date is now set. Saturday, January 28 - that's when the excellent Horse of The Year awards dinner and ceremony will be held, and with some strong contenders in the mix we wouldn't like you to miss it. Five of the stable's 12 currently active 2022 runners have been nominated. Skoganstallen seems to be the stable of champions.
Hard One To Please, who must have a good chance of picking up the top award as Horse of The Year, has been nominated both in the 3yo and the stayers' division. I Rest My Case and Takeko are both nominated in the fillies & mares division, while the former is also nominated in the homebred division.
General de Vega and Youonlyliveonce, like Hard One To Please sporting the famous Väsby Häst silks to success in 2022, have both been nominated in the sprint division.
Racing dates 2023
The winter is upon us, the 2022 season is in the books over, but work never stops at Skoganstallen, where 2023 is already very much in focus. Racing resumes on April 20, a Thursday evening fixture that will be the first of 31 racing dates at Øvrevoll in 2023. Pick up the full fixture list by clicking the poster on the right.
Swedish racing dates
Swedish racing dates
Svensk Galopp's calendar page - just one click away.
Dansk Galop - new website
Dansk Galop - new website
Dansk Galop's new website - just one click away.
2022 season - facts and figures
Top earners, top strike rate,
best average earnings
2022 season - facts and figures
Top earners, top strike rate,
best average earnings
Annike Bye Hansen finished second in the 2022 trainers' standings, with 16 winners, 18 runners-up and 8 third place finishers from 75 starters. The stable generated total domestic earnings of NOK. 2,775,249. As many as 56% of all starters saddled by Annike finished in the first three and the stable's win strike rate was an impressive 21.3%, better than any other trainer with more than ten starters during the season. Average earnings per start, NOK 37,003, was also markedly the best return of all trainers with more than ten starters.
The stable's total Scandinavian earnings were close to 5.6 million.
I Rest My Case became the highest earning horse in Norway in 2022, with NOK 775,849 from eight runs. She just edged out her stable companion Hard One To Please on this list, as his domestic earnings were NOK 725,000 from four runs. Hard One To Please would probably get most votes if we decided to crown a Scandinavian Horse of The Year though, and perhaps it's about time to get those Scandinavian stats back up and running? With two easy Derby wins and a gutsy success in the Stockholm Cup International (G3), he earned NOK 2,812,764 all told – and he also became the highest earner in Sweden this year. His fellow Väsby Häst flag bearer Youonlyliveonce sits in tenth place on the list of top earners in Norway this year, with NOK. 322,600 from 11 starts that yielded 2 wins and six other top three efforts. GS
Top earners - Norway 2022
Top earners - Norway 2022
Top trainers - Norway 2022 Top five. Please click table posters to enlarge.
Top trainers - Norway 2022 Top five. Please click table posters to enlarge.
