The fans filled the stands of the Hippodrome de Manacor to celebrate the great trotting festival of the Llevant de Mallorca.
LLuna de Llevant and Antoni Frontera were proclaimed champions of the 66th Gran Premio Manacor, which was held this afternoon at the Hippodrome de Manacor, one of the most eagerly awaited and important trotting days in Mallorca, and one of the most historic competitions in the Balearic Islands. Lluna de Llevant has become a real protagonist today, after she was also proclaimed glorious champion of the Gran Premio Nacional a few weeks ago.
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66th Gran Premio Manacor 2024
The brand new champion received the award from the President of the Consell de Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés, accompanied by the Second Vice-President and Minister for the Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports, Pedro Bestard; the President of the Mallorca Equestrian Sports Institute, Gaspar Oliver, and the President of the Balearic Trotting Federation, Juan Llabata.
Llorenç Galmés congratulated all the participants in the race and pointed out that “the great classic of the calendar in the Llevant de Mallorca is an event of great prestige that fills us with pride”. “The Gran Premio de Manacor is a race of great competitive level, for all that winning a race with so much history on our island represents”, added the president.
For his part, Pedro Bestard emphasised the Consell de Mallorca’s commitment to “restore the splendour of the trotting sector that has been lost over the last eight years, boosting and promoting it, because this sport identifies us and makes us feel proud of our traditions”.
Lluna de Llevant, protagonist of a historical milestone
From the very first moment we have experienced a very evenly matched race and the participants have not disappointed, they have fulfilled the predictions and have given a show to match.
Lluna de Llevant is today, without a doubt, the protagonist of a historic milestone that very few can achieve, as she has become the 22nd horse in the history of the two great classics to achieve the double.
A few weeks ago she was proclaimed glorious champion of the Gran Premio Nacional and this Sunday, once again, with Antoni Frontera, she has won the prized trophy of the Gran Premio Manacor 2024.
The tandem started as one of the clear favourites and started in first position, where they remained throughout the race, closely followed by the rest of the participants. Entering the last corner, he caught up with the rest of the field and crossed the finish line comfortably with a lap time of 1’17″70.
He was followed in second place by Ladil, led by Jaume Fluxà and lapping at 1’18″10. Third place went to Le Chef Wood and D. Oliver, who came in at the same time, 1’18″10.
The afternoon session began at 5 p.m. with several races before the main event and, when there were only a few minutes left until 7 p.m., the best 3-year-old horses entered the track to compete for the prized trophy of the Gran Premio de Manacor.
The 10 participating colts, of the so-called ‘L’ generation, paraded in front of the large audience, accompanied by the La Salle Manacor bugle and drum band and the group of ball de bot Sa Torre, a very festive preview as the occasion deserves.
Race weekend full of races in Manacor
Saturday was the first of two days of racing. It started with the Gran Premio MiniTrote Manacor 2024, which was won by Trebol, directed by Marina Mascaró. Then, the 7 races of the day were held, two of them to be highlighted. One of the most coveted trophies was the Artà Prize, which went to the tandem Lingote Mar and G. Andreu, who covered the 2,375 metres that separated them from the finish line in a time of 1’19″50. As for the Felanitx Prize, the winner was Dioricimo De Eva, ridden by M. Mestre with a time of 1’17″30.
On Sunday, the day started at 11.00 a.m. with the morning session and held for the first time, also in Manacor, the Children’s GP, which was won by Juana De Font and Simó Morro, followed by 5 other races.