It’s a new title for Sweden in the UET Grand Prix (Gr. I)! One year later Barack Facewho had distinguished himself on the side of Solvalla, Epic Kronos offers the 2024 edition of this major meeting for four-year-olds, contested this year on the Parisian ash. A true model of consistency since the start of his career, this son of Muscle Hill has continued to climb the ranks since his competitive debut in June 2023. Having passed last year, at this time, alongside his qualification for the Svenskt Trav-Kriterium (Gr. I), this resident of Daniel Redén continued to move up in quality at the start of the year before hitting hard last month in the Swedish Derby (Gr. I), finishing very good second to the brother of Calgary Games, Fame and Glory (Editor’s note, also qualified for this UET Grand Prix but forced to withdraw due to a throat infection). Winner of his qualifier in Åby on September 28, this representative of Stall Zet brilliantly won his ticket to France. This Friday evening, he offers himself a first group I.
A new title for Sweden in the UET Grand Prix (Gr. I) when the latter is contested in the Temple du Trot, after elements like Readly Express (2016), William (2018) or even Power (2020)… but a first title for Daniel Redén in this event. “I will finally be able to check it (laughs). This horse is a champion, continues Daniel Redén. But you never know when you come to Vincennes for the first time… He’s a talented horse, with a lot of ability..” In a race hosted by Koctel du Dain, Epic Kronos was brought closer in progress in second thickness with its nose to the wind. Then coming alongside the resident of Philippe Allaire at the entrance to the straight line, he then headed towards a clear success. Timing side: 1’10”7. Örjan Kihlström, driver winner of the 2014 Prix d’Amérique with Maharajahhad not won in the Temple du Trot since February 2016… with Lionelin the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr. I). “It’s true that it’s been a long timeanalyzes the one who has 140 victories in Sweden during this 2024 season. It’s a success that I appreciate, especially since it didn’t go well with Francesco Zet just now. To return to Epic KronosI think he is one of the best of his generation in Sweden. He finished second in the Derby, but was on the outside of the winner throughout the race. It’s not a problem for him to play on the outside. He is a big horse with great gait, he loves to keep his own speed.” Epic Kronos is none other than a grandson of Bourbon Topazfull sister of Bourbon quality… who herself won this UET Grand Prix in 2008 in Milan with Jos Verbeeck.
Kiara Vandel came to finish strong in the middle of the track to take first place. “The mare was well mounted in the qualification, emphasized Alexandre Abrivard to Christophe Meyer. In the heat, she was magnificent. I led with the aim of taking a fifth place and when I dislodged, it came flying out. I thought I was coming to win, but when I doubled Krack Time AssetI saw that there was one who was two steps ahead. She wasn’t in good shape in August, and that’s two times that’s really good. This may bode well for the winter meeting..” Krack Time Assetwho won one of the two qualifiers on September 27 in Vincennes, completes the podium. “I had a tailor-made course but the horse consumed a lot in the first part of the course”, debriefed Paul Ploquin.
Daniel Redén, trainer of Epic Kronos, looked back on his protégé’s victory:
Alexandre Abrivard is second with Kiara de Vandel:
