Two Scandinavian racing icons answer our questions.
Danish-born Niels Petersen trains at Øvrevoll in the suburbs of Oslo. Perennially Norway’s champion trainer, he has taken runners across Europe and enjoyed Group 3 success in Dubai last year with the filly Queen Azteca, who went on to run in his name at Saratoga.
Though Queen Azteca is now in training with Rodolphe Brisset, Petersen’s stable is still bursting with talent and, with Scandinavia’s season beginning next month, he’s surely poised for further success across its three jurisdictions.
Per-Anders Gråberg has won a host of big Scandinavian prizes and has twice represented Sweden at Ascot’s Shergar Cup, winning a leg of the competition both times.
Which racing figure (past or present) do you most admire?
NP: Aidan O’Brien. I know he has a lot of horses, but he’s absolutely world-class.
P-AG: I rode out for Richard Mandela at Santa Anita for four winters back in the early 1990s. Among other good jockeys, I rode out with Gary Stevens, who was a big mentor for me at the time.
What’s your favourite venue, and race, in the world?
NP: My favourite venue is Ascot and my favourite race the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, particularly as it includes geldings.
P-AG: My favourite venue is also Ascot, specifically during the royal meeting. I’ve never had the chance to ride at Royal Ascot, but the whole atmosphere is fantastic. My favourite race, though, is the Kentucky Derby.
Who’s your favourite racehorse (past or present) and why?
NP: I love Shergar, but Frankel was in a class of his own.
P-AG: For my career, Bank Of Burden was very special. We won a lot of big races together, including four Stockholm Cups. Right now, however, I’d pick Forever Young as my favourite. I think it’s fantastic how, travelling around the world, he always turns up and delivers his A game.
What’s your fondest memory in racing?
NP: Queen Azteca winning the UAE Oaks was a very special moment for me… then she went on to run at Saratoga.
P-AG: It’s hard to compare memories, but riding at the Shergar Cup twice and getting a winner both times was something I’m proud of.
If you could change one thing in racing, what would it be?
NP: Racing isn’t big in Scandinavia, but if we could get more people interested in the sport, that would be great. Racing isn’t in our DNA, so it isn’t easy to get the average man on the street involved.
P-AG: That’s a tough question. I think the sport needs to get better at selling and showing our professional jockeys to the public. Like football players or other athletes, young kids should be able to pick their favourite jockeys and turn them into idols.
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