Kuninkuusravit
The Kuninkuusravit ("royal races") championship is an annual harness racing championship contest in Finland. It is the official Finnish national championship contest for Finnhorse stallions and mares. It has been held annually since 1924, except during 1934-1937 and the war years 1940–1942 and 1944. Originally stallions and mares competed together for the title of Ravikuningas ("Racing King"), but in 1948 a separate title, Ravikuningatar ("Racing Queen"), was established for mares. Geldings may not participate.
Stallion Eri-Aaroni running in the 1939 race, Turku | |
| Location | Finland |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1924 |
| Race type | Harness race for Finnhorse mares and stallions |
| Website | http://www.kuninkuusravit.fi (in Finnish) |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,100 metres (1.30 miles) 1,609 metres (1 mile) 3,100 metres (1.93 miles) |
| Track | Left-handed 1,000 metre track (0.62 miles) |
| Qualification | Finnhorse stallion or mare, registered in the Finnhorse studbook. At least 4 years old. |
The Kuninkuusravit championship races take two days, with three starts run each day. The first start, 2.100 kilometers (1.30 mi), is run on the first day, and the 1.609 kilometers (1.00 mi) and 3.100 kilometers (1.93 mi) starts on the second day. The stallion and mare with the best combined times from all three starts win. Thus, to win the title, a horse does not necessarily need to win a single run, and for instance, in 2006, the stallion Saran Salama won the championship after placing 2nd, 2nd and 3rd in the respective starts. Both divisions include 12 animals. Horses taking part in the contest must be registered in the Finnhorse studbook.
Suomen Hippos organizes the Kuninkuusravit contest annually, in co-operation with one of its affiliated organisations. The contest is held in July or August. The first eight Kuninkuusravi contests were held in Lahti, but since 1931, the principle has been to hold the contest in a different place every year, all around Finland.