She claims to be the best mare in the world. Last year she was second in the World Cup. This year she has won the C Th Ericsson Memorial and Finlandia Ajo. In the latter race, a pink ticket was waiting in the winner's circle.
- Alessandro Gocciadoro has been clear that Diva Ek is his Elitlopp horse for 2026. "She has shown her toughness time and time again and she is well worth her place in the Elitloppet," says Solvalla's sports manager Ola Lernå.
Diva Ek was already on an international adventure last year. She sprinted furiously to second place in the Yonkers International, the ”World Cup race” behind Lexus Kody.
- She is absolutely amazing. I had a long-term plan to match her a bit carefully, but to start in Finlandia Ajo and get the ticket for Elitloppet. Of course it feels good that it worked out," says Alessandro Gocciadoro.
In Finlandia Ajo it looked to be a long way from fourth on the outside, but via nice backs around the final turn, Diva Ek's speed bit best.
- It was probably a little safer than it looked. I didn't snatch the Norwegian main team, so we've saved something for the last weekend in May," said Alessandro Gocciadoro, cracking a smile.
Facts Diva Oak
Age: 7 years
Gender: Sto
Father: Trixton
Mother: Nike Ek
Result: 45: 23-5-1
Earned: 674,721 euros
Record: 1.09,9 autostart (1609m)
Owner: Antonio Nucera & Effebi SRL, Italy
Coach: Alessandro Gocciadoro
Nurse: Anu Niskanen
Breeder: Az Agr Caprani Edy Graziano
Nationality: Italian
Elitloppet is the main attraction during the Elitlopp weekend, which will be held at Solvalla in Stockholm on May 29-31, 2026. Elitloppet is an invitational race where 16 horses compete in two different heats with eight horses in each. The top four in each trial meet in a final where the winner receives five million SEK.
Horses invited to Elitloppet 2026: Go On Boy (France), Inexess Bleu (France), Jobspost (Sweden), A Fair Day (Sweden), Allegiant (Sweden), Idao de Tillard (France), Massimo Hoist (Finland), Jabalpur (Italy), Borups Victory (Sweden), Dream Mine (Sweden), Diva Ek (Italy).
