Malta hosted the FEGAT World Amateur Drivers Championship for the first time on Sunday afternoon, with Maltese driver Redent Magro emerging victorious after eight heats held over a distance of 2,140 metres.

The championship formed part of the 42nd race meeting of the season and attracted 12 drivers representing different countries.

Magro secured the world title with 73 points, finishing just one point ahead of Germany’s Emma Stolle, who collected 72 points. Italy’s Massimiliano Michelotto finished third with 60 points.

The Maltese driver enjoyed an excellent afternoon, winning two heats and collecting sufficient points in the remaining races to secure the championship.

The opening heat, reserved for Copper class horses, was won by Magro aboard Jenna Du Val D’Or. The mare increased her pace over the final 500 metres to register her third victory of the season.

Austria’s Stephanie Mayr won the second heat, contested by Bronze class horses, driving Eindhoven DL to victory following an impressive sprint in the closing metres.

The third heat, also reserved for Bronze class horses, was won by Sweden’s Peter Arnqvist aboard Givre Nonantais.

Argentina’s Ignacio Vicente Gutierrez collected maximum points in the first of three Silver class heats, steering Jewel Meslois to victory.

The following Silver class race produced one of the closest finishes of the afternoon, with Fast, driven by Germany’s Emma Stolle, and Gazou Piquenard, driven by Norway’s Thomas Mjoen, crossing the finishing line almost together. The photo-finish confirmed Fast as the winner.

Belgium’s Piet Van Pollaert also secured a Silver class victory aboard Helia De Bruyere, who recorded her first win in Malta after accelerating strongly in the closing stages.

Magro registered his second victory of the afternoon in the Gold class heat, driving Jacovia Madrik to success following an impressive challenge on the outside in the final metres. The mare recorded her fourth victory of the year.

The championship’s decisive race was the Premier class heat, which Magro entered holding a five-point advantage over Stolle.

Belgium’s Van Pollaert emerged victorious aboard Condior, overtaking Velvet Gio, driven by Norway’s Thomas Mjoen, and Itro, driven by Stolle, midway through the home straight.

It was Van Pollaert’s second victory of the meeting.

Although Magro finished seventh in the final heat, he collected enough points to secure the world championship by the narrowest of margins.

The presentation ceremony was conducted by Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri, FEGAT President Fred Handelaar and the association’s Vice-President Matja Nummenmaa.

Officials from the Malta Racing Club, Equestri Malta and Malta Equidrome were also present.

Magro’s triumph marked another important achievement for Maltese amateur harness racing. Malta had previously won a similar championship in 2022 through Cliferty Calleja, when the competition was held in Italy.

Final championship standings

Top three

Full race results

Race 1 – FEGAT World Championship, Copper class (2,140m)

1. Jenna Du Val D’Or – Redent Magro (Malta)
2. Cupidon De Bassard – Ignacio Vicente Gutierrez (Argentina)
3. Kidea De Casrouge – S. Keppler (USA)
4. Conflit – Massimiliano Michelotto (Italy)

Winning time: 2:45.3 (1:17.3)

Race 2 – FEGAT World Championship, Bronze class (2,140m)

1. Eindhoven DL – Stephanie Mayr (Austria)
2. First De Pleignes – Massimiliano Michelotto (Italy)
3. Islandais – Redent Magro (Malta)
4. Emeraude Jiji – Emma Stolle (Germany)

Winning time: 2:43.2 (1:16.3)

Race 3 – FEGAT World Championship, Bronze class (2,140m)

1. Givre Nonantais – Peter Arnqvist (Sweden)
2. Kaporal Vert – Redent Magro (Malta)
3. Galeo Du Portugal – Emma Stolle (Germany)
4. Q.C Allegretto – Thomas Mjoen (Norway)

Winning time: 2:47.3 (1:18.2)

Race 4 – FEGAT World Championship, Silver class (2,140m)

1. Jewel Meslois – Ignacio Vicente Gutierrez (Argentina)
2. Gold De Berg – L. De Vlieger (Netherlands)
3. Immuminati – C. Welsh (Australia)
4. Global Certificate – Stephanie Mayr (Austria)

Winning time: 2:40.4 (1:14.9)

Race 5 – FEGAT World Championship, Silver class (2,140m)

1. Fast – Emma Stolle (Germany)
2. Gazou Piquenard – Thomas Mjoen (Norway)
3. Diego Du Coudou – M. House (New Zealand)
4. De Niro Bi – Redent Magro (Malta)

Winning time: 2:42.4 (1:15.9)

Race 6 – FEGAT World Championship, Silver class (2,140m)

1. Helia De Bruyere – Piet Van Pollaert (Belgium)
2. Ermes Jet – Emma Stolle (Germany)
3. Hermeline Dairpet – Massimiliano Michelotto (Italy)
4. Fosbury Zet – Peter Arnqvist (Sweden)

Winning time: 2:41.6 (1:15.5)

Race 7 – FEGAT World Championship, Gold class (2,140m)

1. Jacovia Madrik – Redent Magro (Malta)
2. Pure Joy – Thomas Mjoen (Norway)
3. Hope – Peter Arnqvist (Sweden)
4. Liza Bore – Massimiliano Michelotto (Italy)

Winning time: 2:40.7 (1:15.1)

Race 8 – FEGAT World Championship, Premier class (2,140m)

1. Condior – Piet Van Pollaert (Belgium)
2. Velvet Gio – Thomas Mjoen (Norway)
3. Itro – Emma Stolle (Germany)
4. Falko De Nouville – M. House (New Zealand)

Winning time: 2:37.5 (1:13.6)