Sandra Eriksson, a rising star in the world of horse racing, is poised for her most remarkable year yet as she heads toward the V75 races this holiday season. With 38 victories and over 3.1 million kronor earned so far this year, Eriksson has already surpassed previous records for her stable.
"It has been quite a decent year, but I think we've had some bad luck when it didn't work out, and we missed out on some finals this season," she reflects with a smile. Despite the challenges, Eriksson remains optimistic and focused on the future.
Looking forward to the busy V75 racing day on December 25th in Umeå, Eriksson will bring six horses to compete, each with their individual potential. Leading the charge is Kingdom Come, who has shown promise with solid performances lately. "He's improved significantly, and I'm confident we'll see him run well this time around," Eriksson shares.
Among the highlights of Eriksson's year was the memorable win by Priscilla Håleryd, who triumphed in the diamond mare's trial, and Conrads Palle's win in the Breeders race, utilizing tactical advice from her colleague Markus Svedberg. "It was especially gratifying because we were able to manage his allergies and bring him back to form," Eriksson enthuses.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Eriksson is still aiming to top her own records, as the year has not yet concluded. Breaking down her roster, she schedules the following competitors:
First up is Kingdom Come, who has performed admirably during training. “His past few outings have built his confidence considerably, and I expect him to do well on the winter track,” she notes, determined to set him up for success.
Next is King of Djazz, who is competing on familiar winter terrain. Eriksson reports, “He’s positioned well after winning his last two races, and I’m excited to see how he performs again.” A victory at last year’s race has set high expectations.
Facing tougher conditions, Gorm will start from 60 meters back but Eriksson has faith: “His last victory really boosted his self-confidence! We aim for improvement this time.”
Diamond Kronos, competing shortly after joining her stable, showed promise on his debut and Eriksson is hopeful for more as the winter conditions favor him.
Nightingale achieved her first win of the season recently and Eriksson believes she could add another: “If she behaves well at the start, her back-end speed could put her at the front.”
Lastly, B.Sacamano had tested the waters three weeks prior, demonstrating good form and enthusiasm heading back to the race track. “He seems really positive leading up to this event,” she acknowledged, reflecting on his prospects.
Eriksson’s insights not only showcase her ability to train and manage horses effectively but highlight her strategic approach to the unpredictable world of horse racing. With strong prospects on the horizon and amid the holiday spirit, her ambitions for record-breaking achievements resonate strongly.
Closing out the interview, Eriksson remains realistic about expectations yet ambitious about achievements. "More often than not, we expect great things from our horses, and this season has proven rewarding on many levels," she concludes with optimism.
