A further three classic winners were added to our tale, bringing our total up to 86.
We had 20% winners to runners in Sweden, taking 14 out of 70 possible races with gains of 3.787.699 SEK.
In Norway we won 14 races from 80 runners (17,5% winners to runners) with 1.719.960 NOK in total prize money.
Like A King won the Norwegian 2000 Guineas, Seneschal took the Norwegian St. Leger and Lot Of Joy was the best by far in the Swedish St. Leger.
The 2yo’s once again shone in the big races with Downtown Leo going unconquered through three runs that included The Heatherwold Cup and Norwegian Criterium, while Mystery Night won Eckbo Legats Vandrepokal and Amacitalöpning.
Furthermore, Indy Humor won first time out and was runner-up in the Swedish Winterfavourites and Skånelandlöpning.
Well-bred Zeffirelli ran twice second and shapes as a stayer. He is gifted and holds an entry in the Swedish and Norwegian Derby.
We also still have five unraced 2-year-olds who shape with promise and we’re looking forward to their respective campaigns from the early spring.
Among other great results were Solveig’s fighting win in the Breeders’ Trophy Mile for 4yo’s, Voix d’Amie’s show in the Altamiralöpning and Lot Of Joy’s final display for our yard winning Jockeyklubbens Avelslöpning.
Unfortunately, Nouvelle Lune was never the same filly again after her accident on the sand track last season and she has now gone to be covered in England along with Voix d’Amie.
Thunderey was our great Guineas hope but only got to run three times due to a serious hoof injury that kept her sidelined for more than five months over the summer. She came back after her long break to finish fourth in Mischa Kahns Memorial before winning her final run at Øvrevoll.
Needless to say, she is a filly we expect a lot from next year.
No Lie was also injured early in the season but is back in training with the potential of winning big races for fillies in 2022.
No Short Cuts delivered one of the best 3yo performances of 2021 when winning the Swedish Derby Trial and was huge favourite to become our 21st Derby winner. However, he suffered from a stretch in his back during the Derby and never felt well in the Hurricane.
He didn’t race after that but has developed nicely throughout the year and will be an exciting horse for next season.
Jet Action, along with Seneschal, took the step up into the Scandinavian elite of older horses, and his poor performance in the Stockholm Cup proved to be due to an infection.
And of course, we look much forward to the next crop of 2yo’s bought at Goffs and Tattersalls entering the yard. The team of our next generation have been named Thunder Sea (Night Of Thunder), Starlight Song (Starspangledbanner), Ami de Vega (Lope De Vega) and Master Zone (Appel Au Maitre).
By their looks and pedigree, they certainly have every chance of ending up like classic winners in 2023.
Jan-Erik went through a knee surgery on 21st December. He is expected to be back in full action again soon and will continue as our stable jockey.
Sandro De Paiva will also ride for us next season, and Silje Strand continues her apprentice career within our yard.
The season of 2022 will be the 50th for me as a trainer since I took out my license in 1972.
Every Saturday we enjoy the great environment and atmosphere surrounding the yard, and I am greatly thankful for the enormous amount of trust shown by our loyal owners through thick and thin over the years.
Also, a warm thank you to all grooms, vets, farriers, jockeys and exercise riders, who are all focused on bringing the best forward in each and every horse.
I wish all our clients and all our supporters a happy and prosperous New Year.
Wido