The English page - The last group race

Last weekend saw Krefeld host Germany´s last group race for the 2023 season. The Herzog von Ratibor–Rennen, run over the 1700 meters (1m 1/2f) trip for the two-year-olds, saw 6 horses go to post in the Group III event. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of rain of late in Germany and the ground in Krefeld rode on the heavy side. 

The heavy ground proved no problem whatsoever for the Sea the Moon colt, Wonderful Boy as he went pillar to post for a very easy 10 length victory in the hands of Champions Jockey elect Andrasch Starke. The winner was followed home by Novemberrose (Camelot) who in turn was 16 lengths in front of Flamingo Moon (Sea the Moon). One can see by the winning margins just how testing the ground was for these two-year-olds and they were spread out like a 2-mile chase.  

The favorite Shootout (Areion) trailed in 25 lengths behind the field. Back to the winner though who could do no more than win and he was pretty impressive. He is owned by Thomas Jander who deserves a good horse and is trained by Markus Klug. Incidentally, Krefeld racecourse will become the home base for Klug next year, as he leaves his position at Röttgen to start out as a public trainer in Krefeld.  

On the same programme we saw a nice performance from another two-year-old in the maiden. Quetame, a filly by sire Saxon Warrior, came home an easy 3 length winner. She runs in the Stiftung Gestuet Faehrhof colours and is out of their Duke of Marmalade mare Quaduna, so it makes this one a sister to last year leading two-year-old filly Quantanamera (Lope de Vega) and she could be very interesting for next year.  

A few German raiders were sent to Italy on Sunday, where Sammarco (Camelot) ran a fine race for Sibylle Vogt and Peter Schiergen. The Gestüt Park Wiedingen owned 4-year-old, ran second to favorite Tempesti (Albert Dock) in the Group III Premio Federico Tesio over 2200m (1m3f). In the Group II Premio Vittorio Di Capua, Westminster Night (Morandi) from Andreas Woehler stable ran a good third behind two English trained horses, the winner Brave Emperor (Sioux Nation) and Poker Face (Fastnet Rock). Brave Emperor is well known in Germany having won the Group III Dr. Busch Memorial in Krefeld and the 103. Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt Duesseldorf this year as well as finishing second in the Group II Brunner–Oettingen Rennen in Baden – Baden.  

No racing at the weekend in Germany with the next in Dresden on Wednesday and Munich´s final meet on Saturday 25th November which includes the listed race the Grosser Muenchner Herbst Preis over 2200 meters (1m 3f).  

Shannon Spratter