Breeding & Racing in Germany

With all the class racing that we were treated to on Arc weekend in Paris and the good racing here last weekend, this week all was quiet on the Western Front. At home we did have one important race in Cologne, the Köln-Wettstar.de sponsored Preis des Winterfavoriten, a Group III event for 2-year-old colts over the 1600 meters (1 mile) trip. The most significant 2-year-old colts race of the year with the winner heading the betting market for next year’s Derby, and this year’s winner would be following in the footsteps of Fantastic Moon, who of course having won this last year, added the Derby also.

The highlight of last weekend’s racing was the Group I 61. Preis von Europa in Cologne on Sunday. Over 13.000 spectators and perfect weather made a real atmosphere and the ideal setting for the Weidenpescher seasons highlight. The Group I event attracted eight starters, as Sisfahan was taken out and will go for the Prix d l´Arc de Triomphe this Sunday, these included the Godolphin pair Live your Dream (Ifraaj) for Saeed bin Suroor and Oisin Murphy and Siskany (Dubawi) the better fancied of the two for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. Trevaunance (Muhaarar) also made the journey from Ireland for Jessica Harrington. Hollie Doyle took the mount on the filly.

Probably the one interesting race on the national front last weekend was the Großer Preis des Lakis in Kö-Quatier race in Düsseldorf. A race for the juveniles at Listed class and over the mile, it attracted only the five runners but was won in decisive fashion by Maigret representing Gestüt Karlshof and Bohumil Nedorostek. The son of Counterattack made it 2 from 2 under Andrasch Starke having won first time of asking in Hannover. The homebred ran out an easy 2 ½ length winner from Thekinofmyheart (Magna Grecia) and Augustus (Soldier Hollow).

The “Große Woche Baden-Baden” the big week Baden-Baden is exactly that in the German Racing calendar. Whether it is Royal Ascot week in England or the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe weekend in Paris Longchamp this week in Baden-Baden is the most important internationally for our sport with the highlight on the last Sunday the Großer Preis von Baden. This is where we sell our sport. Throw in the BBAG Premiere yearling sales and it becomes the meeting point for owners, trainers, breeder’s agents, and everyone involved in racing the whole year.

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.