The English page - Nightflower wins in Cologne

Nightflower (Dylan Thomas) won last Sunday´s Preis von Europa and thus became the first filly ever to win Cologne´s biggest race of the year more than once. The four-year-old is trained on the course by Peter Schiergen, his fourth win in five years in this event, and was beautifully ridden by stable jockey Andrasch Starke. Nightflower was certainly not winning out of turn, as she had been runner-up on her last two starts to Protectionist (Monsun) in the Grosser Preis von Berlin and then to Iquitos (Adlerflug) in the Grosser Preis von Baden.

Protectionist is now being aimed at the Canadian International, but Iquitos resumed rivalry here. He had won at Baden-Baden easily after coming with a powerful late run from last place, but there were  reasons for thinking that Nightflower could reverse that form in Cologne and punters who had backed the filly down to 2-1 favourite were proved right. Iquitos needs a strong pace to show his best form and this simply never happened. Held up as usual, he never got into the race and finished fifth.

It was clear beforehand that there would be no pace, and it was Kasalla (Soldier Hollow) that went on, closely attended by Andreas Wöhler´s new import Red Cardinal (Montjeu) and Godolphin´s Elite Army (Authorized), the only foreign runner in the field of eight. Nightflower was tucked in behind this trio, nicely covered up. Kasalla still led at the distance but was being hard pressed by Red Cardinal, while Elite Army had dropped away and Starke had brought Nightflower to the wide outside and was creeping into the race. In the final stages she quickened well to take the lead in the final 100 yards and score by three parts of a length from Red Cardinal, who just held on to second by a short head from Kasalla, with another filly Parvaneh (Holy Roman Emperor) in fourth and the rest never seen with a chance.

Nightflower has an unusual racing record.  She has only ever won three races, the Group Two Diana-Trial last year and the Group One Preis von Europa twice. She has also been runner-up seven times, however there is no questioning her resolution nor ability. It is just that she seems to struggle a bit in the summer and only comes to her best form at this time of year.  Last year she followed up her Cologne victory with a start in the Japan Cup, in which she finished eleventh, but got no run at all. Connections are now hoping that she will be invited to run in Tokyo again, and granted better luck in running, she could well finish in a prominent position. That will in any case be her last race as she is to be retired at the end of this season. Iquitos could also be Tokyo-bound, as he is automatically qualified for the race, and also some massive bonuses, as a result of his Baden-Baden victory.

Nightflower was bred by Freiburg banker Jürgen Imm and races under his nom de course Stall Nizza. He keeps his best mares in Ireland at Joe Hernon´s Castletown Stud in Co. Cork and usually has them covered by Coolmore stallions. This has proved to be a very successful formula. Her dam Night of Magic, who won the Italian Oaks, was by Peintre Celebre, while the very closely related Group One winners Nymphea and Nutan are by Dylan Thomas and Duke of Marmalade respectively. The bottom line however is all German and this is in fact one of the most successful families in German breeding.

Of the other runners in the race, a positive mention must be made of Red Cardinal, having his first run since being bought by Australian Bloodstock and being transferred to Andreas Wöhler. He was previously trained by David Simcock and his best effort had been a third place in the Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes, so this was by some way a career-best effort. However the trainer was a bit disappointed, as he was hoping to run Red Cardinal in the Melbourne Cup, but he would have needed  to win in Cologne to bring his rating up to the required level. Wöhler´s other runner Serienholde (Soldier Hollow), winner of the Preis der Diana in early August, was much more of a disappointment, finishing last. She has now been retired to the paddocks.

It was certainly a great day for Peter Schiergen. Not only did he win the top race at his local course, he also won the biggest turf race in Switzerland, the Grand Prix Land Rover Jockey Club with Girolamo (Dai Jin), who had himself won the Preis von Europa back in 2012 and who was ridden by the trainer´s eldest son Dennis, while his second son Vinzenz rode two winners at Mannheim. The third son Laurenz, 14, was at Cologne to help his father saddle up. However it is not at all sure that he will become a champion amateur jockey like his two brothers, as his talents seem to lie in a different direction. He is a very promising young golfer, and recently won the Under 15 section of the Irish Boys Amateur Open Championship at Clonmel.

We have as long weekend ahead of us, as Monday October 3^rd is a public holiday commemorating  German reunification.  The race which celebrates this is Germany s richest Group Three at Hoppegarten.  Andreas Wöhler has an excellent record here and can take the race again with Wai Key Star (Soldier Hollow), while his Potemkin (New Approach), who won the race last year, contests Saturday´s Prix Dollar and is one of several fancied German runners at Chantilly´s Arc weekend.

David Conolly-Smith