The English page - French winner in Berlin Grand Prix

Last weekend’s racing highlights belonged to the Berlin-Hoppegarten racecourse where it staged its main race of the year, the 133. Westminster Großer Preis von Berlin Group I and also three listed races over distances ranging from 1200 meters to 2800 meters. With glorious weather conditions and good ground there was a large attendance to see this Group I race which has established itself well in the International Calendar and seen some high-class performances over the years. One of the seven Group I´s in Germany now, previous winners since the race found its way back to Berlin in 2011, have included Arc Winner Danedream in 2011, Melbourne Cup Winner Protectionist in 2016, Torquato Tasso in 2020 and Alpinista in 2021 both would go on to Arc glory and last year Rebel´s Romance for Godolphin, who took the 2022 Breeders Cup Turf in Saratoga, USA.

This year’s race attracted seven starters from four different countries, England, France, Poland and Germany, including New London (Dubawi) for Godolphin (England) and the hot favorite Simca Mille (Tamayuz) from France to take on the four very useful German performers Sammarco (Camelot), Sisfahan (Isfahan), Assistent (Sea the Moon) and the supplemented 3 year old filly Lady Ewelina (Mukhadream) after her failure to enter the startboxes a week ago in the Preis der Diana, the German Oaks. This time Lady Ewelina under Jozef Bojko, who knows her from home, took everything in her stride including the parade and was loaded up first without any hiccups.

Boxes opened to an even break but none of the candidates wanted to make the running and it was left to James Doyle on the Godolphin runner New London to go to the front and he was allowed to dictate his own pace up front. He held the field at an average gallop till entering the straight. He was followed by Sammarco and Lady Ewelina, the favorite Simca Mille and the polish runner Le Destrier (Le Havre) with the Grewe trained pair Sisfahan and Assistent dropping out last. No positional changes from the jockeys throughout and as they turned for home only the polish raider found the going tough as James Doyle and New London turned the screw and kicked for home and this 2400-meter Group I turned into a bit of a sprint. Sammarco and Lady Ewelina were the first attackers, but the favorite Simca Mille was always going the best and his Jockey Alexis Pouchin was just biding his time and at the 350-meter mark he sent his companion for home, quickening three lengths clear. The Grewe pair of Sisfahan, (tapping on his best form), and Assistent, (ridden as last challenger) stayed on for Group I placings ¾ of a length and 2 ¼ lengths behind the comfortable winner. The Group I Westminster 133. Großer Preis von Berlin went this year to France, to Trainer Stephane Wattel present at the track it was a first success at the Top Level having trained for 30 years. Asked as to the future of his colt Simca Mille a delighted Wattel thanked the Berlin crowd and said, the dream is still alive and all going well he would turn up in Longchamp on the first Sunday in October for the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe.

The Hoppegartener Stutenpreis for 3-year-old and older filles over 2000 meters was also taken by the French as their raider Andromede (Sea the Stars) from the Francis Henry Graffard stable in Chantilly ran out a very convincing 5 lengths winner from Nina´s Lob (Lope de Vega) with Nepalina (Kallisto) a further ¾ lengths behind in third. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint Listed race over 1200 meters saw Andreas Wöhler trained Danelo (Exceed and Excell) in the colors of Gestüt Ittlingen under stable Jockey Eduardo Pedroza ease to a 1 ½ length win over French challenger Art of Magic (Invincible Spirit) and the outsider Blueridge Silver (Siyouni).

The third listed race on the card, the Hoppegartener Steher Preis over 2800 meters saw a big upset when the 26/1 shot Akua´rius (Sea the Stars) under Adrie de Vries for trainer Axel Kleinkorres and owners Stall Siepenblick hold on by a neck from Waldadler (Adlerflug) and the Polish guest Hipop de Loire (American Post).

On the International scene, the big Deauville Summer meet is underway and on Tuesday, Straight (Zarak) this year’s beaten Derby favorite was sent to compete in the Group II Prix Guillaume D´Ornado over 2000 meters. The Andreas Wöhler trained for Gestüt Karlshof colt could set no accent in a very strong international field of Group I competitions and finished last. The race though saw the return of Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Victoria Road (Saxon Warrior) and Ace Impact (Cracksman) back after his win in the Jockey Club (French Derby) two months ago. Again, we saw Ace Impact keep a clean vest and the Cracksman son is now unbeaten in 6 runs, as he quickened to beat previous Group I winner Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) ¾ of a length and Birr Castle (Cloth of Stars). French Racings new star Ace Impact remains the 7/2 favorite for the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe. 

Shannon Spratter