Wroblewski: Winning the Swedish Grand National was specially pleasing

This article first appeared on June 17^th on the main Czech language pages of Dostihový svět, and was written by our editor, Petr Guth. Greg Wroblewski left his native Poland to make his way as a steeplechase jockey, and later as a trainer, about 50 years ago. The first of his many stopping points was in Sweden. He has been based in the Czech Republic since 2009. Greg is one of a number of Czech-based trainers that have taken their horses all the way to central Sweden to race in the Swedish Grand National at Strömsholm in the last 8 or 9 years.    

Greg Wroblewski’s training centre had a highly successful weekend in the middle of June 2024. On Sunday 15^th, Maxim won the Karlovy Vary Two Mile Stakes at Karlovy Vary to back up two winners over fences a day earlier in Sweden. Wroblewski and jockey Niklas Lovén finished first in the Swedish Grand National with Pretty King, and then Greg went on to win the Fegentri race for international amateur riders with Ambrosius, ridden by Lorenzo Chieregati. 

“I’m very pleased with the way it turned out,” says Wroblewski. Sweden is where I set out as a trainer, and I have a special feeling for the race. For me, it’s not just another winner. It really meant a lot. Pretty King had had a lot of bad luck in his earlier races, but this time he kept away from trouble, and he showed that there’s something in him. He’s a very clever horse,” the trainer added. After his successes, Greg set out on an 28-hour journey back to the Czech Republic with his horses.

“In September there is another big race in Sweden, this time at Bro Park in Stockholm. The King of Sweden will be there, and it would be great if Pretty King can run in the race,” says the trainer. “He’s quite adaptable, and in his next races he could do well at Wroclaw or at Merano.”