Friday 29th June 2018
Rodney Gatt Qualifies for World Championship

Even though Rodney Gatt was not one of the favourites he managed to qualify for the World Championship for Professional Drivers which is going to be held in Sweden next year.


 


Gatt was participating in the European Championship for Professional Drivers in Bjerke Norway and Aby Sweden and even though he did not draw the best horses he managed to show his skills and even managed to win one of the 10 races of the competition.


 


Occupying 9th place after the first day, he managed to score consistent points during the second day to finish the third best driver in Sweden and with a total of 70 points classify in 6th place overall from the 12 participating countries. This means that Rodney Gatt has gained the right to participate in the World Championship for Professional Drivers to be held also in Sweden next year as the first six finishers of the European Championship qualify automatically. With these there will also be the reigning champion James MacDonald as well as representatives from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The United States and host country Sweden gets to nominate a wild card.


 


This is a historical and important moment for local horse racing. Last year Noel Baldacchino finished 6th in the World Championship held in Canada when he was given an invitation after Germany opted out from the competition.  Rodney Gatt is automatically a participant as for the first time a Maltese driver has finished with the top 6 in the European Championship.


 


The new European Champion is French Frank Nivard as he won three races.  With the same number of points in second place was Dutch Rick Ebbinge with just one victory.  Third on the podium was Norwegian Eirik Hoitomt. Joining these three and Rodney Gatt in the World Championship are German Michael Nimczyk and Finnish Mika Forss.


 


Lorraine Cunningham


Public Relations & Media


Malta Racing Club


 


MRC/10/18