The English page - Sales and Racing 2023

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.

On the day, the Gestüt Karlshof favorite, Maigret, unbeaten in his previous two starts was declared as a non-runner.The owner said it was not a major setback, the horse had got cast in his box overnight, and they hoped he would be seen again on the racecourse before the year is out. With Maigret (Counterattack) missing it left seven going to post. Geography (Holy Roman Emperor) jumped and made all the running, quickening under Rene Piechulek in the straight and held off one challenger after the other to win by a fast-diminishing neck at the line from Narrativo (Adlerflug). These two pulled 4 lengths clear of the favorite Inside Matters (Lope de Vega) and Borna (Saxon Warrior). The Peter Schiergen and Stall Hanse winner is a tough likeable sort and was having his third start of his career which was probably the winning of the race. Narrativo, the runner up under Michael Cadeddu finished very strongly and just lacked the experience having had just had the one run under his belt when winning a maiden in Dusseldorf. The bookmakers put Narrativo into favorite for next year’s Derby with Maigret.

Over the last weeks the stable form from Peter Schiergens horses has been nothing short as unbelievable and apart from the Winterfavoriten in Cologne it continued with Dishina (Soldier Hollow) in Milan (Italy) over an hour later. Running in the colors of Gestüt Park Wiedingen and ridden by Leon Wolff, Dishina battled bravely to hold Lacrima D´amore (French Navy) and Ad Astra (Protectionist) in this Listed contest, the Premio Elena & Sergio Cumani 1600 meters (1 mile) event. For the Waldemar Hickst trained Ad Astra it was finally some Blacktype as she had come so close on her last three starts. 

In the Group III Premio Verziere Aldo Cirla over 2000 meters (1m 2f), Norge from Ralf Rohne´s stables, a regular in Italy, finished a good second beaten a nose by Moonu (Sea the Moon) from Maciej Janikowski stables in Poland. The winner carries the colors of Westminster Race Horses. The Henk Grewe trained Valpolicella (Amaron) held on for third place in front of Kittty O Shea (Ruler of the World) from Berlin trainer Roland Dzubasz. 

Looking forward to the week ahead and we have the Sales & Racing festival in Baden-Baden. Racing on the Friday and Sunday in Iffezheim and the Sales on the Friday evening with the first 120 Lots, a mixture of horses in training and yearlings,then Saturdays sees the yearlings take center stage with mares and foals added.

First racing on the Friday, corresponding with the Sales, we have the Ferdinand-Leisten-Memorial, the BBAG Auctions race with a winner’s cheque of 100.000€ and a total purse of 200.000€ over 1400 meters (7f) for 2-year-olds bought at the BBAG sales complex. With prize money going all the way down to seventh place (10.000€} we have a good field of eleven. Top rated with a mark of 91 is West Man (Areion) from Andreas Suborics stables. He won his maiden on debut and has been Group III placed and was deemed good enough to take his chance in the Group I Qatar Prix Jean Luc Legardere on Arc Day. This will be easier, and he could come back to winning ways under stable jockey Martin Seidl.

The feature races take place on Sunday with two Group III events. After last weekend’s 2-year-old colts race in Cologne, this time the fillies have the limelight in the Preis der Winterkönigin, the most important two-year-old fillies contest in Germany At this time, we have eleven entries. In form Peter Schiergen will have two runners, Anna Riva (See the Stars) and Linzona (Best Solution) as he looks to add this to the colt’s equivalent. Both fillies have won on their only start. Markus Klug could also have two starters with Waria (Areion) and Shagara (Zarak )with the last mentioned the choice of stable jockey Andrasch Starke looking the stronger of the two. Shagara was second in Cologne listed race last time with Lady Mary (Lawman) ahead behind and this one renews rivalry. Previous maiden winners Princesa (Cracksman) and Princess Valentina (Soldier Hollow) make it all a very interesting race.

The second Group III event, The Land Trophy, is for 3-year-olds and older horses over 2400 meters (1 ½ mile). It looks an ideal opportunity for Kolossal (Outstrip) to continue her fantastic form this season having won three of her four starts at listed and Group III level, she was only beaten by the French raider Darkaniya in a Group II at the track last time. An interesting weekend with racing and Sales combining and something for everybody. 

Shannon Spratter