The big stories of spring & summer 2026
Updated: Oct 2
The spring and summer season were full of (world) records, comebacks and some incredible battles on track. As we approach the winter season, it is time to look back one more time at some of the greatest achievements we’ve witnessed.
Allegiant rewrites the record books
Allegiant's Elitloppet victory was one, if not the biggest performance of the year. She barely made the final, getting lucky with Gio Cash breaking stride in the lead.
But when they changed her equipment slightly for the final, there was no stopping the thunder she possesses. She charged away from the lead and didn’t look back once.
She won the final in 1'07''1, setting a new world record and lowering it by half a second.
She followed that up later in the summer with another record-breaking performance in the Hugo Åbergs Memorial, where she won just as convincingly in 1’08’’0, adding another record to a season that had already made her part of the history books.
For now, her future plans are unknown. But fans would love to see her try against the best more often.
Idao de Tillard returns after surgery
Idao de Tillard returned only four months after his operation, which was necessary after a colic attack on November 17. He quickly showed that he was back at world level.
His first victory after the operation came in the Prix de l'Atlantique on April 18, before heading to the Elitloppet, but coming up short once again in Sweden. He added another group 1 victory in the Prix René Ballière on June 21 and hasn’t lost a race since.
In the summer, he added another highlight by winning the Prix de Washington at Enghien in 1'08''0, setting a new French record over the sprint distance.
Idao de Tillard is expected to race in the Grand Prix du Sud-Ouest at Toulouse on October 21.
Free Time Jepson's Lotteria success
Free Time Jepson was one of the most successful horses from Italy this summer.
The five-year-old won his elimination heat for the Gran Premio della Lotteria in 1’09’’7 before returning to win the final in 1’10’’9. His elimination time was the fastest time ever across all Lotteria races.
The Lotteria became one of the biggest results of his career so far. He backed up the incredible performances by finishing second in the Prix René Ballière at Vincennes. He narrowly missed out on beating Idao de Tillard.
We can expect him to return to Vincennes during the winter meeting.
Gaining Experience takes Harper Hanovers Lopp
The Harper Hanovers Lopp provided one of the biggest long-distance performances.
Gaining Experience won the 3,140m group 1 at Solvalla in 1’12’’4 at only five years old and beat a field full of established names across Europe, including last year’s winner and world record holder Inmarosa.
The convincing style he showed during this race made it a race to remember. His two races that followed didn’t fully live up to his standards, with a fourth and a non-placing. He had won nine out of ten starts before that.
With an incredibly careful trainer, Timo Nurmos, it is unknown if Gaining Experience will try his luck in France this year.
Diva Ek: from Vermo to New York
Diva Ek became only the fourth mare in history to win Finlandia-Ajo. Starting from number seven, she finished strongly to beat Keep Asking, winning in 1'10''2.
Her international campaign continued later in the year when she travelled to the United States for the Yonkers International Trot, where she finished second after a stellar finish once again.
Diva Ek’s next race has not been announced yet. Dutch fans are hoping she’ll return to Wolvega to try to double in the Prijs der Giganten.
Double Deceiver sets a Sweden Cup record
Double Deceiver won the Sweden Cup final in 1’08’’8 over 1,640m, setting a new record for the final. He became only the second horse in history to double in the ‘Little Elitloppet’.
Trainer Daniel Redén admitted Double Deceiver might’ve actually belonged in Elitloppet: “but I thought I had two that were better suited this year in Elitloppet.'' The trainer scored his third straight Sweden Cup victory. Missle Hill won in 2024.
Double Deceiver returns on October 5 at Färjestad after a three-month break.
Epic Kronos backs up successful winter season
Epic Kronos followed his successful winter meeting campaign with another major victory during the summer.
After finishing third in the Prix d'Amérique, he won the Åby Stora Pris in a new world record: 1’11’’7 over 3,140m. It was also the first time Björn Goop took the reins. It's rumored that we might see another driver behind Epic Kronos during the upcoming winter season.
A hoof abscess was found, putting a stop to running in the Swedish Championships (September 26) and the U.E.T. Elite Final (October 11).
Go On Boy's success at 10 years old
Not only did Go On Boy become the fastest French horse in history after finishing third in the Elitloppet, running 1’07’’3 over 1,609m. Undoubtedly also making him one of the greatest 10-year-olds in the history of our sport.
On September 19, he also added another Grand Prix de Wallonie victory to his record, winning the group 1 at Mons for the third time, becoming the first horse in history to do so.
Go On Boy will travel to Turin to race in the U.E.T. Elite Final on October 11.
Another article covering more great performances is coming soon.
Is there a memorable performance you think deserves to be highlighted?
Don’t hesitate to let me know.
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