V86®: Amateurs night
Welcome to the spotlight, hobby drivers.
On Wednesday, the V86® punters get acquainted with some new faces.
We have taken the pulse of three of the finalists in the “Amatörbästen”.
They love their sport and often spend the all their spare time with the horses.
When they drive, it is usually for small prize money.
But on Wednesday, the amateur drivers gets the chance to show up when the final of their Solvalla-series is placed as V86®-4.
Here we present three of the participants in Wednesday's most prestigious race.
Patrik Fernlund, 29 years old
Started driving: 2012
Number of wins: 32
Fun fact: Won the basic series in “Amatörbästen” with more than twice as many points as the 2nd.
Run: 6 Love Is not Easy
How did you get into the sport?
"You can say that it started in the dishes at Rättvikstravet. My mom ran the restaurant down by the stables when I was younger. I started with the dishes, worked up to grill burgers, got interested in betting, became a fan of the sport and on that way it is.”
Why did you start driving?
"When I worked at Aftonbladet, I often called Jörgen Westholm. In the end he said to me, "You may come out and show that you can drive too." I went to his stable, then I was there at least once a week for a very long time. In the end, Jörgen said that it was time to aim for a license, I have him to thank for where I am today.”
Why are you an amateur driver?
"It suits me perfectly because I have different employers. I am often at Solvalla, race the amateur races there and also have acquaintances who want to use me. There will be 50-60 mounts a year.”
What is your fondest harness memory?
“Good question, but it must be the story of Fred Cobra that I'm training with my girlfriend Jasmine Ising. We have experienced so many great moments together, all victories and successes.”
What is your job?
- The main job is at Kanal 75 with production of trot TV. I work with everything there, in ATG® Live and with the program "Spelstund with Fernlund". Then I still work a bit for Aftonbladet and I drive horses at Jörgen Westholm once a week.
How do you feel about racing “Amatörbästen” in V86?
- It is big. When you picked out the license, this race was the dream of the year. Now it feels hotter than ever since I have over 40 in victory percentage on Solvalla this year and have won eight races there. I have to pinch my arm to believe it. Racing the final with that record is the icing on the cake. I also think the new setup is good and all credits go to Solvallas amateur club. It is much better to have one race of good dignity than two mediocre ones that ends up in the shadows.
How do you look at your chances to win?
- They exist. I think I have one of three to four horses that raise a bit over the rest. Martin P Djuse seems very happy with him in training so we'll be driving to win.
Patrick Hedqvist, 47 years old
Started race: 1994
Number of wins: 80
Fun fact: Has been the farrier of Sweden's richest trotter in history Victory Tilly and Don Auriello, double Olympics participant in dressage. Won “Amatörbästen” last year.
Drive: 8 Stand Bayou
How did you get into the sport?
“Through my grandfather who had trotting horses. As soon as I finished school and military service, I threw myself into the sport. I have worked at a stud farm, with professional trainers and with amateurs. I have always said that I will get me a "real" job, but it has always been horse-related. It's a nice world to be in.
Why did you start driving?
"From the outset, I had no ambition to drive, but when I started working for Lisbeth Borg-Hugosson she thought it was more fun that the trainer also drove. In the end it became so.
Why are you an amateur driver?
- Because I have another job at the side and then there is the amateur license that remains. For the last 15 years I have had a lot to do with the shoeing, and although I only occasionally had my own horses, I have always kept the license. As I work for Stig H Johansson, he has arranged a lot of good mounts over the years.
What is your fondest harness memory?
“My first victory. When you raced 30 times and finally win. The horse was called Fox Broline, a very nice horse who was a half brother of Huxtable Hornline. We just blew them at Romme, it was a lovely feeling. Otherwise, I have to say the first V75® victory with Bambino d'Hilly, who I trained Lisbeth Borg-Hugosson. We won three silver divisions together.”
What is your job?
"In recent years I have been a full time farrier. I work for Stig H Johansson and the dressage rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén. I am also a teacher at Strömsholm one day a week.”
How do you feel about racing “Amatörbästen” in V86?
"I've raced every year since I took out an amateur license and it is a basic goal every season to get to the finals. I won 2002 so statistically, it was time for me to win again last year. It's great fun that the race is running on the V86. Among us active, there has always been a high status, but it will be even more fun this year when the race gets a little more attention.
How do you look at your chances to win?
"I have not read the race and will hear what the trainer says. It seems like a good horse that should be in the victory battle if he is back at his best.
Anna-Lena Örneholm Johansson, 52 years old
Started race: 1988
Number of wins: 11
Fun fact: Have made a comeback this year after 16 years of absence from driving. Won with his own-trained Slaghöken at Solvalla in April.
Drive: 5 Mr Perfection
How did you get into the sport?
"When I was little, mom and dad moved to a house that was opposite a stable where there were trotting horses. At 16, I started working with Jan Ödqvist and stayed for six months before I entered high school. After that I started working for Ove and Björn Sjöström.
Why did you start driving?
"It's something you feel you want to do to develop when you work with trotters. Björn pushed me to take a license.
Why are you an amateur driver?
"When I stopped working with horses and only had my own left then I had to switch to amateur license. Then I got kids and stopped driving, but I've had at least one horse all the time. Without horses I would probably go crazy. When our current horse just galloped in the races, I decided to take him to Solvalla for a few test runs. I used those runs to get the license back. I have to admit it's amazingly fun to drive again.
What is your fondest harness memory?
"I was a caretaker of Carolo Min when he won the Swedish Criterium in 1987 and it was great. There were not many who believed him in advance, but I remember riding him in the woods a few days before the race and came into the stable and said "he wins on Sunday". Then it was terribly fun to win with Slaghöken at Solvalla this spring.
What is your job?
- I work as a financial assistant at Öhlins Racing AB in Upplands Väsby. A company that produces shock absorbers for motorcycles and cars.
How do you feel about racing “Amatörbästen” in V86?
"It will be great fun. It was a long time since I drove a horse to someone else. I participated in the “Amatörbästen” a few times in the 1990s, but was never really close to winning. I think I finished four at best.
How do you look at your chances to win?
"The horse seems pretty good. I have looked at some of his races and think he seems quick from the gate, so we'll try to leave a bit. He should be able to be among the top three in any case.