Digger Crown
Encyclopedia
Digger Crown is a Swedish
breeding stallion
and former racing trotter
by Lindy's Crown out of O'Chita by Linus T.
His most prestigious victories include Campionato Europeo (2003), Gran Premio delle Nazioni (2004) and Gran Premio della Lotteria (2005) . At the end of his career, the stallion
had earned US$3,060,137. Digger Crown was trained by Swedish champion trainer Stig H. Johansson
and competed at a high level for nine years, 2000-2008.
(at age 3) as well as the Swedish Trotting Derby
and Grand Prix de l'U.E.T. (both at age 4). However, in the finals of the events mentioned, the stallion had less success, although he did finish third in the Derby.
. He followed up that victory by finishing second in the 5-year-old European Championship
in Italy
a month later. This would prove to be the first of many trips to Italy for Digger Crown.
. In the final, as favourite, he came in fifth far behind winner Gidde Palema
. He finished in the money in several major Swedish races that year (Jubileumspokalen
: 4th, Sundsvall Open Trot
: 2nd, Åby Stora Pris
: 4th) but experienced the greatest success of the year abroad, in Italy. Together with driver/trainer Johansson, the stallion won Campionato Europeo at Cesena and ≈US$190,000 in September.
meet at Solvalla
, he won the semi-big sprint race Sweden Cup. Even though Digger Crown had failed to reach the final of the Lotteria, he and his connections were to be successful in Italy during 2004. First, in June, they won Premio Duomo in Florence
. In November, they were victorious in Gran Premio delle Nazioni at San Siro. Between those two events, the stallion participated in a couple of other major Italian races. In Citta di Montecatini, the pattern from the Lotteria was repeated. A disqualification in the eliminations was followed by a win in the consolation race. As a reigning champion, the stallion finished second and fifth in the two heats of Campionato Europeo. Earlier, in July, Digger Crown made his first and last start in Germany
when he finished second in Elite-Rennen at Gelsenkirchen.
, Naples
. The trotter won both an elimination and the final as heavy favourite, giving Johansson a fourth win in the prestigious event. The victory was the most lucrative in the stallion's career. The winner's purse was ≈US$275,000. Digger Crown subsequently got an invitation to Elitloppet at Solvalla, one of trotting's most prestigious events. Trainer Johansson and the horse's owner accepted, and Digger Crown made his one and only start in his home tracks biggest race. He finished second in the elimination heat behind favourite Gidde Palema, earning him a place in the final, where he went off-stride and was disqualified. A few weeks later, Digger Crown made a rare start in France. In Prix Rene Balliere, raced over 2,100 meters (≈1 1/3 mile) at Vincennes, Paris, he finished sixth in 1:10.5 (km rate), a time that was to be the stallion's best mark of his entire career.
. The year also brought victories in a couple of other semi-big races, like Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp and Frances Bulwarks lopp, as well as a third win in Gotlandslöpningen at Visby, the biggest race on Digger Crown's native Gotland
. From this season and on, Erik Adielsson was the driver of the stallion, since Stig H. Johansson quit racing at the end of 2005.
in Italy. The owner also decided to let their own broodmares get covered by Digger Crown. Among those mares are Nealy Lobell, five times participant of Elitloppet. The stud farm that Digger Crown was installed in was Allevamento Folli near Bologna
. When Swedish king Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited Italy in late March 2009, they received framed photographs from Vasco Errani, president of the region Emilia-Romagna
, where Bologna is situated. One of the photos showed Digger Crown driven by Stig H. Johansson.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
breeding stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
and former racing trotter
Standardbred horse
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability...
by Lindy's Crown out of O'Chita by Linus T.
His most prestigious victories include Campionato Europeo (2003), Gran Premio delle Nazioni (2004) and Gran Premio della Lotteria (2005) . At the end of his career, the stallion
Stallion
A Stallion is a male horse.Stallion may also refer to:* Stallion , an American pop rock group* Stallion , a figure in the Gobot toyline* Stallion , a character in the console role-playing game series...
had earned US$3,060,137. Digger Crown was trained by Swedish champion trainer Stig H. Johansson
Stig H. Johansson
Stig Henry Johansson is a Swedish trotting trainer and former driver. He started his career as a professional trainer in 1969, and has during a large part of the career been a dominating force in Swedish trotting. He is, arguably, the greatest in Swedish trotting history. Internationally, he is...
and competed at a high level for nine years, 2000-2008.
2000-2001 - 3 and 4 years old
During the first two years at the tracks, Digger Crown was successful without winning any major events. At a number of occasions, Digger Crown won eliminations to big events such as the Swedish Trotting CriteriumSwedish Trotting Criterium
The Swedish Trotting Criterium is an annual national Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden...
(at age 3) as well as the Swedish Trotting Derby
Swedish Trotting Derby
The Swedish Trotting Derby is an annual national Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Jägersro Racetrack in Malmö, Sweden...
and Grand Prix de l'U.E.T. (both at age 4). However, in the finals of the events mentioned, the stallion had less success, although he did finish third in the Derby.
2002 - 5 years old
The biggest win of 2002 came in June when he won Sverigeloppet (literally: The Sweden Race) at SolvallaSolvalla
Solvalla is a horse racing track located in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. It was opened in 1927 and is the biggest harness racing venue in the Nordic countries. The last Sunday in May, Solvalla annually hosts Elitloppet, one of trotting's most prestigious international events.-Elitloppet:*...
. He followed up that victory by finishing second in the 5-year-old European Championship
5-year-old European Championship
The 5-year-old European Championship, also called European 5-year-old Championship, is an annual Group One harness event that is arranged by the European Trotting Union, UET. The race takes place on a racetrack in one of the member countries of UET. The contenders are chosen by the different...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
a month later. This would prove to be the first of many trips to Italy for Digger Crown.
2003 - 6 years old
In March 2003, Digger Crown won a qualifying race to the big Swedish race OlympiatravetOlympiatravet
Olympiatravet is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. The event was carried through for the first time in 1979...
. In the final, as favourite, he came in fifth far behind winner Gidde Palema
Gidde Palema
Gidde Palema is a Swedish breeding stallion and former racing trotter by Alf Palema out of Rosie Palema by Ideal du Gazeau....
. He finished in the money in several major Swedish races that year (Jubileumspokalen
Jubileumspokalen
Jubileumspokalen or Solvallas Jubileumspokal is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Solvalla in Stockholm, Sweden. Jubileumspokalen has taken place since 1977. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$281,000 .-Origin:In 1977, Solvalla's 50th Anniversary was...
: 4th, Sundsvall Open Trot
Sundsvall Open Trot
Sundsvall Open Trot is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Bergsåker Racetrack in Sundsvall, Sweden. Sundsvall Open Trot has taken place since 1996. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$273,000 ....
: 2nd, Åby Stora Pris
Åby Stora Pris
Åby Stora Pris is an annual Group One harness event for trotters that is held at Åby Racetrack in Mölndal, 10 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden. Åby Stora Pris has taken place since 1936, the same year Åby Racetrack was opened. In 2008, the purse of the event was approximately US$359,000...
: 4th) but experienced the greatest success of the year abroad, in Italy. Together with driver/trainer Johansson, the stallion won Campionato Europeo at Cesena and ≈US$190,000 in September.
2004 - 7 years old
Digger Crown made his first attempt to win major Italian event Gran Premio della Lotteria in May 2004, but was disqualified in the elimination. He won the following consolation race. Four weeks later, during the ElitloppetElitloppet
Elitloppet or Solvallas Internationella Elitlopp is an annual, invitational Group One harness event that has taken place at Solvalla Racetrack in Stockholm, Sweden since 1952. The competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious international events in trotting...
meet at Solvalla
Solvalla
Solvalla is a horse racing track located in Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden. It was opened in 1927 and is the biggest harness racing venue in the Nordic countries. The last Sunday in May, Solvalla annually hosts Elitloppet, one of trotting's most prestigious international events.-Elitloppet:*...
, he won the semi-big sprint race Sweden Cup. Even though Digger Crown had failed to reach the final of the Lotteria, he and his connections were to be successful in Italy during 2004. First, in June, they won Premio Duomo in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
. In November, they were victorious in Gran Premio delle Nazioni at San Siro. Between those two events, the stallion participated in a couple of other major Italian races. In Citta di Montecatini, the pattern from the Lotteria was repeated. A disqualification in the eliminations was followed by a win in the consolation race. As a reigning champion, the stallion finished second and fifth in the two heats of Campionato Europeo. Earlier, in July, Digger Crown made his first and last start in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
when he finished second in Elite-Rennen at Gelsenkirchen.
2005 - 8 years old
At age eight, Digger Crown tried once more to win Gran Premio della Lotteria at AgnanoAgnano
Agnano is a volcanic crater in Napoli, Italy, situated northwest of Naples in the Campi Flegrei region. It was popular among both Greeks and Romans, and was famed for its hot springs....
, Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
. The trotter won both an elimination and the final as heavy favourite, giving Johansson a fourth win in the prestigious event. The victory was the most lucrative in the stallion's career. The winner's purse was ≈US$275,000. Digger Crown subsequently got an invitation to Elitloppet at Solvalla, one of trotting's most prestigious events. Trainer Johansson and the horse's owner accepted, and Digger Crown made his one and only start in his home tracks biggest race. He finished second in the elimination heat behind favourite Gidde Palema, earning him a place in the final, where he went off-stride and was disqualified. A few weeks later, Digger Crown made a rare start in France. In Prix Rene Balliere, raced over 2,100 meters (≈1 1/3 mile) at Vincennes, Paris, he finished sixth in 1:10.5 (km rate), a time that was to be the stallion's best mark of his entire career.
2006 - 9 years old
After failing to defend his title in Gran Premio della Lotteria, Digger Crown won his second Sweden Cup at Solvalla, narrowly beating Finnish Passionate KempPassionate Kemp
Passionate Kemp is a Finnish former standardbred trotter by Lindy Lane out of Sonata Lobell by Mystic Park.Her most prestigious victories include the Finnish Trotting Criterium , Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli , Gran Premio Tino Triossi and the Finnish Trotting Derby...
. The year also brought victories in a couple of other semi-big races, like Årjängs Stora Sprinterlopp and Frances Bulwarks lopp, as well as a third win in Gotlandslöpningen at Visby, the biggest race on Digger Crown's native Gotland
Gotland
Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
. From this season and on, Erik Adielsson was the driver of the stallion, since Stig H. Johansson quit racing at the end of 2005.
2007 - 10 years old
The most lucrative effort of 2007 was the win in Norrbottens Stora Pris at Boden in June. Digger Crown finished as runner-up in Finnish St. Michel Race, driven by Thomas Uhrberg. In Gran Premio Citta' di Montecatini in Italy, he and Adielsson won an elimination heat, but was disqualified in the final. In October, the stallion made a second fruitless attempt (the first was made in 2002) to claim the Swedish Championship.2008 - 11 years old
Digger Crown's last year on the tracks came to an early end in the summer, when the stallion was injured. Prior to that, he had won a couple of races within the Swedish weekly series Gulddivisionen, and finished third in Norwegian Forus Open as well as in Finnish St. Michel Race. The latter would prove to be Digger Crown's last race, and it meant a repeat of his kilometer rate record mark 1:10.5, but this time over a shorter distance, one mile.Retiring from racing
The horse's retirement was announced in February 2009 by trainer Stig H. Johansson. Digger Crown was by that time still troubled by the injury in the splint bone of his right rear leg he had suffered in the previous summer. Together with the owners, Johansson therefore made the decision to end Digger Crown's racing career. Upon his retirement, Digger Crown had earned US$3,060,137 in 126 starts that brought 59 victories. In all years on the tracks but his first, he made more than 1 million SEK (US$168,000).Career as a breeding stallion
Shortly after the decision to retire Digger Crown was official, it was reported that he would move to a stud farmStud farm
A stud farm or stud in animal husbandry, is an establishment for selective breeding of livestock. The word "stud" comes from the Old English stod meaning "herd of horses, place where horses are kept for breeding" Historically, documentation of the breedings that occur on a stud farm leads to the...
in Italy. The owner also decided to let their own broodmares get covered by Digger Crown. Among those mares are Nealy Lobell, five times participant of Elitloppet. The stud farm that Digger Crown was installed in was Allevamento Folli near Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. When Swedish king Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited Italy in late March 2009, they received framed photographs from Vasco Errani, president of the region Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
, where Bologna is situated. One of the photos showed Digger Crown driven by Stig H. Johansson.