running of the german derby, one of listed stayers race at...
TRANSCRIPT
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Hello, and welcome to the latest Anglo German Racing Newsletter! In this edition, we take a look back at the 151st running of the German Derby, one of four Derbies that took place in Europe on Sunday. We also preview an intriguing Listed stayers race at Berlin-Hoppegarten on Sunday.
Further afield, we look back at Derbies in Sweden, Spain and Italy, as well as the first steeplechase of the year in Russia. Looking ahead, we preview Group 1 action in Hungary as well as the Polish Derby, where the unbeaten Inter Royal Lady is looking to win her tenth race in succession.
For all the very latest information, please follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/anglogermanracing or check out our website at www.anglogermanracing.com which has now been updated. Don’t forget that we are now also on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AngloGerRacing
Darren Thrussell, Editor
Issue 136 – 17th July 2020
Content
News/Reviews Germany – Pages 2-4 News/Reviews Europe – Pages 5-9
Imprint
Anglo German Racing
Chief Editor: Darren Thrussell
Postal address
Hattendorffstr. 83
29225 Celle
GERMANY
Email address
[email protected] [email protected]
Published weekly
Photo left: Gebhard Apelt and Georg Baron von Ullmann of the GESTÜT SCHLENDERHAN, owner and breeder of IN SWOOP, winner of this year’s German Derby at Hamburg on Sunday. There is a review of the race on pages 2-3 of this newsletter (Photo copyright Darren Thrussell / Anglo German Racing).
News Round-Up - Germany
BIG RACE REPORT - IDEE GERMAN DERBY RECORD FOR SCHLENDERHAN AS SWOOP SWOOPS IN DERBY
The GESTÜT SCHLENDERHAN, one of the most celebrated studs and breeding operations in Germany, celebrated a record nineteenth victory in the IDEE German Derby as IN SWOOP, trained in France by Francis-Henri Graffard, won the 151st renewal of the race at Hamburg on Sunday.
Having run a fine race in defeat in the Group 2 Prix Greffuhle at Lyon last time out, eventually finishing third, In Swoop swooped to land the 650,000 Euro contest close home under jockey Ronan Thomas, who in the process was winning his first ever Group 1 race. However, it looked at one stage that it was going to be a first victory at the highest level for English jockey Jack Mitchell aboard the Marcel Weiss-trained Torquator Tasso, as the pair stormed down the centre of the course, and appeared the likely winners. Despite Mitchell appearing to time the run on Torquator Tasso perfectly, In Swoop burst out of the leading pack, to deny Torquator Tasso by ¾ of a length, with Grocer Jack back in third.
‘The pace was fast, as we expected it to be, so I gave him a chance to get into the race’ said winning jockey Thomas. ‘In Swoop is a bit lazy. He’s a big baby really, he only had his first ever race a couple of months ago, and I think he will improve from race to race’ added the French jockey, who was also winning his first ever Classic.
Although plans for In Swoop are not yet confirmed, jockey Thomas also commented that the horse has an entry in this year’s Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
Photo left: English jockey JACK MITCHELL, who rode the Marcel Weiss-trained Torquator Tasso to an excellent second place in the 151st renewal of the Group 1 German Derby at Hamburg on Sunday (Photo copyright Stefanie Ihlenburg / Anglo German Racing).
(Continued on next page)
News Round-Up - Germany
BIG RACE REPORT - IDEE GERMAN DERBY (continued) RECORD FOR SCHLENDERHAN AS SWOOP SWOOPS IN DERBY
Gebhard Apelt, the general manager of the Gestüt Schlenderhan, said: ‘This is really overwhelming. This is a great achievement by In Swoop on only his third ever start. I also have to give the jockey a huge compliment. He rode to instruction, kept the horse towards the rear of the field, and then produced In Swoop at just the right time. The jockey kept a cool head just when it was needed’.
Runner up Torquator Tasso ran in the famous yellow red and black colours of the Gestuet Auenquelle. ‘We’re really happy with the result’. To finish second in the German Derby is a great result’ said a spokesperson.
The result was a fine advertisement for the stallion and 2007 German Derby winner Adlerflug, who sired both the winner and the runner up of the big race.
The disappointment of the race was the 3-1 favourite Wonderful Moon, who looked set to give jockey Andrasch Starke a record equalling eighth success in the race, having been sent to challenge halfway down the home straight. However, the Henk Grewe-trained colt faded to finish sixth, with connections after the race stating that Wonderful Moon will probably be brought down to 2000 metres for his next race.
There was a somewhat confusing post-script to the German Derby, when despite a French victory in the race, the Irish national anthem was played. It appears that there was some confusion regarding the winning jockey Ronan Thomas, whose name may have caused a mix up with Irish music star Ronan Keating.
You can see the race here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e7nKQIkeu0
Photo right: Gebhard Apelt and Georg Baron von Ullmann of the GESTÜT SCHLENDERHAN, owner and breeder of IN SWOOP, winner of this year’s German Derby at Hamburg on Sunday (Photo copyright Darren Thrussell / Anglo German Racing).
News Round-Up - Germany
HOPPEGARTEN: ELEVEN SET FOR LISTED RACE
ELEVEN runners are set to line up in the big race in Germany this weekend, the Hoppegartener Steher Preis at the Hoppegarten course near Berlin on Sunday.
Three trainers from relatively small stables are double handed in the Listed event. Former jump jockey Bohumil Nedorostek runs PERFECT PITCH and VIVIENNE WELLS, both of whom have raced exclusively at their local course at Hannover this year. However, whilst six-time winner Perfect Pitch has raced only at Listed level this season, finishing fourth twice, fifth and sixth from four runs, the three year old Vivienne Wells has been running in maiden races, finishing runner up in her last two contests. However, both horses have been mainly campaigned around the 2000 metre mark, and it remains to be seen if the pair can cope with the step up to 2800 metres here.
Stamina is also a question mark over LIPS QUEEN and VANCANO, trained at Hoppegarten by Czech-born Eva Fabianova. Lips Queen, winner of a Group 3 at Hannover in October on heavy ground over 2200 metres, was nearly seven lengths behind Perfect Pitch at the same course and distance, albeit on better ground, last time out. Vancano tackles Listed company for the first time, having spent most of his career in Class 3 handicaps, including when second at Hamburg last time out.
In contract to the Nedorostek and Fabianova runners, the two runners from the north-east German stable of Anna Schleusner-Fruhriep have no stamina doubts whatsoever. THE TIGER won a Listed race at Mülheim over a marathon 4000 metres in November, a race where stable companion WUTZELMANN was a tailed off seventh. Widely regarded as one of Germany’s top steeplechasers over the last couple of years, Wutzelmann won lake steeplechases at Bad Harzburg and Quakenbrück last year, as well as the sand chase at Honzrath, the only steeplechase currently in Europe run on a sand surface. However, both The Tiger and Wutzelmann could struggle for pace here.
Whilst ESTIVO has been beaten a total of 109 lengths in his last four races, QUIAN has been in fine form of late, winning his last two races. With both victories having come over 3000 metres, the Peter Schiergen-trained Quian has no stamina worries and is expected to go close on Sunday.
However, a St. Leger trial at Dortmund last month over Sunday’s race distance of 2800 metres looks to hold the clues here, with four of Sunday’s field having run in that race. On that occasion, IDA ALATA was second, with ALL FOR ROME sixth, AMIRO seventh and the aforementioned THE TIGER eighth. Having also had All for Rome and The Tiger behind when third in a 3000 metres contest in May, the Henk Grewe-trained Ida Alata looks to be the one to beat here. By Adlerflug, who sired the first and second in last Sunday’s German Derby, Ida Alata, the mount on Sunday of top jockey Andrasch Starke, should confirm the form here.
PREDICTION: IDA ALATA - QUIAN - ALL FOR ROME - AMIRO - LIPS QUEEN
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News Round-Up - Europe
RUSSIA: UNBEATEN ARZIMOVICH LANDS KRASNODAR CHASE
The Galina Shatohina-trained ARZIMOVICH maintained his unbeaten record over fences when winning the first jumps race of the year in Russia, the Sergei Nikolayevich Danchev Steeplechase at Krasnodar on Saturday,
Named in honour of one of the top Russian jockeys and trainers in the 1980s and 1990s, who died in 2018 at the age of 55, the Danchev Steeplechase saw a field of seven line up, after Moiy Arbat and Framarit, who were due to make their jumps debuts, were declared non runners. With temperatures in Krasnodar soaring well above 30c, the decision was taken to shorten the steeplechase from 4000 metres to 3200 metres, however although all Arzimovich’s three previous victories over fences had been over 4000 metres and further, the step down in distance didn’t seem to inconvenience the Russian-bred six year old.
The race began with Diva Moya, ridden by his trainer Eduard Garbuzov, who had four runners in the contest, taking the field along at a seemingly rapid pace. However, Arzimovich and his chief rival Ayzer, who won this race last year, were never too far away, and benefitted from Garbuzov taking the wrong course on Diva Moya halfway into the race, and although continuing, Diva Moya was promptly disqualified.
As expected, the race developed into a duel between Arzimovich and Ayzer, however, as the race entered its later stages, jockey Pavel Makeev always had Arzimovich a few lengths ahead of his rival, and despite Ayzer and jockey Anton Orchinsky putting in a valiant effort to close the gap, Arzimovich crossed the winning line clear of Ayzer, with Tor the best of the Garbuzov-trained quartet in third under lady jockey Anastasia Lipen.
You can see the race here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3SOrPSoCfk
Photo right: The Galina Shatohina-trained ARZIMOVICH and jockey Pavel Makeev on their way to victory in the first jumps race of the year in Russia, the Sergei Nikolayevich Danchev Steeplechase at Krasnodar on Saturday (Video still copyright Horse World TV).
News Round-Up - Germany
FORMER GOSDEN INMATE DENIED IN SPANISH DERBY
The Ioannes Osorio-trained ABU held off a late challenge from English import Lordofthehorizon to win the Gran Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby) at the La Zarzuela course in Madrid on Sunday.
Sent straight into the lead by jockey Jaime Gelabert, Abu was never headed in the 2400 metre contest, having been clear of most of the field with only Ishraq for company under jockey Nicolas de Julian. However, as that rival weakened, Abu was left in a clear lead, only for Lordofthehorizon, second on his final start at Lingfield in January for trainer John Gosden but now with locally-based trainer Patrik Olave, to put it a terrific run under jockey Jose Luis Borrego. Abu however held on for victory from Lordofthehorizon, with German-bred Royal Dancer back in third.
Abu is trained by Ioannes Osorio, who is also known by his heredity title of the Duke of Albuquerque. Osorio’s father was Beltran Alfonso Osorio, the previous Duke of Albuquerque who was known for his exploits in one of the world’s greatest jump races, the English Grand National at Liverpool. Having tried unsuccessfully to win the race on several occasions between 1952 and 1976, the Duke wrote himself into Grand National folklore due to his numerous heavy falls and injuries in the race.
The Gran Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks), which was run just before the Derby, also saw a start to finish winner as NAVIA, one of five runners in Sunday’s fillies classic for trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta, kept on well under Czech jockey Vaclav Janacek to hold off the late challenge of stablemate Tarantela. Irish-bred Navia, sold as a yearling at the Tattersalls October 2018 sales, is related to some good staying winners in Germany, and could be one to follow.
You can see both races here:
Gran Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby) - Winner ABU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PZkf8usZ1k
Gran Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks), - Winner NAVIA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm8WJVUcCDw
Photo left: The Ioannes Osorio-trained ABU and jockey Jaime Gelabert hold off a late challenge from the Jose Luis Borrego-ridden English import Lordofthehorizon to win the Gran Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby) at the La Zarzuela course in Madrid on Sunday (Video still copyright lascarerras.com).
News Round-Up - Europe
DETTORI DENIED AS ENGLISH IMPORT LANDS ITALIAN DERBY
Legendary jockey FRANKIE DETTORI was denied in the closest of finishes to Sunday’s Italian Derby at Rome as his mount King’s Caper lost out in a photo to English import TUSCAN GAZE, a winner in both his races for Newmarket trainer John Gosden, and who was having his first ever run in Italy.
Settled in second place behind early leader Voices From War, Dettori made his move on the Mark Johnston-trained King’s Caper in the home straight, and moving into a clear lead, looked set to claim the 704,000 Euro contest. However, Tuscan Gaze, making his debut for trainer Luciano Bietolini was never far away under jockey Carlo Fiocchi, and finally wore down King’s Caper to grab victory on the line, with Masterwin back in third.
You can see the race here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd71bK6WM9E
Photo right: Legendary jockey FRANKIE DETTORI, who was denied in the closest of finishes to Sunday’s Italian Derby at Rome as his mount King’s Caper lost out in a photo to English import TUSCAN GAZE (Photo copyright Darren Thrussell / Anglo German Racing).
BULL BEST IN SWEDISH DERBY
BULLOF WALL STREET, trained in Norway by Niels Petersen, won the Swedish Derby at the Jägersro course in Malmo on Sunday.
Sent straight into the lead by jockey Carlos Lopez, Bullof Wall Street held of the challenge of Yoker, one of five runners in the race for local trainer Lennart Reuterskiöld Jr, to win the 3,000,000 SEK (approx. 287,600 EUR) contest, the pair well clear of third placed Grey Flash, the one Danish-trained runner in the race.
You can see the race here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_8oiTHTNzQ
News Round-Up - Europe
HUNGARY: INTERNATIONAL FIELD FOR GROUP 1 CONTEST
Horses from Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic take on some high quality local runners in the Group 1 Millennium Dij at the Kincsem Park course at Budapest on Sunday.
Four of Sunday’s twelve runners make the trip over from Slovakia, with trainer Zuzana Kubovicova responsible for two of them. ZORIANA landed the Slovakian Derby back in 2017, and won all four of her starts the following year, including over Sunday 1800 metre race distance. However, Zoriana has been beaten in five of her last six races, having been sent off the clear favourite on four occasions. Zoriana is joined in Sunday’s race by PALMERA, who already has winning form at Budapest, landing a Grade 2 contest here in November last year. However, that race was over 2800 metres, and the drop down in distance may not suit here.
The Slovakian challenge is completed by RYONY, winner of a Listed race at Bratislava in June last year and third in the Slovakian Derby a month later, and the interesting CHILLI CHOCOLATE. Having won just twice in his previous 22 races, Chilli Chocolate them proceeded to win his final three races last year, and started this season with victory in a category 1 contest at Prague in May. However, Chilli Chocolate ran as though something was amiss when he returned to Prague a month later, finishing last of nine, and would need to bounce back from that performance to feature on Sunday.
Despite being placed on several occasions, DARKOLVA was winless in eight races for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien before moving to the stables of Czech trainer Frantisek Holcak in 2018, winning the Slovakian St. Leger the same year. Although not having won since, Darkolva has put up some fine performances, including when second in the Group 3 Velka cena Slovenska at Bratislava last year. Although having a big shout on form here, it could be argued that Sunday’s race distance of 1800 meters might be a touch on the short side. Besides Darkolva, RAGING STORM also flies the flag for the Czech Republic, however, despite being by Galileo out of a Danehill mare, Raging Storm has shown little in his two career races to date.
MAGNENTIUS won six times in 27 races for French trainer Rod Collet, and after finishing second in a Deauville claimer in December, joined Austrian trainer Markus Geisler. Making his debut for new connections at Bratislava last month, Magnentius was a staying on third behind Zoriana, however, with four of Magnentius’ victories having been at around 2400 metres, it could be that Sunday’s 1800 metres may not suit.
FIRST THOUGHT, formerly trained in England by Newmarket-based Willie Haggas, was Serbia’s horse of the year in 2019, winning the Triple Crown of 2000 Guineas, Derby and St. Leger. Making his debut for Hungarian trainer Gabor Maronka on Sunday, First Thought should not be underestimated, especially with in-form Italian jockey Carlo Fiocchi in the saddle, winner of his home Derby last Sunday (see report on previous page), however, it should be noted that the Kyllachy colt’s best form in both England and Serbia is on sand, and it will be interesting to see how he goes on Sunday’s grass surface.
Whilst First Thought was cleaning up on the Serbian classics scene last year, GOLDEN SEA was doing a similar job in Hungary, and despite being a filly, won both the 2000 Guineas and Derby. Only seventh when taking older horses on for the first time in the Group 1 Kincsem Dij in August last year, Golden Sea reappeared last month, failing to give six kilos to CHARLIE FIRPO, who also runs here. However, with Golden Sea now 2.5 kilos better off for a neck victory, that form can be expected to be reversed on Sunday.
(Continued on next page)
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News Round-Up - Europe
‘WONDER FILLY’ BIDS FOR PERFECT TEN IN POLISH DERBY
The Adam Wyrzyk-trained INTER ROYAL LADY, the new superstar of Polish racing, aims to make it ten wins from ten runs as the Irish bred filly takes on the colts in the Group 1 Westminster Polish Derby at the Sluzewiec course at Warsaw on Sunday. .
After victory at Warsaw last month, it was announced that the filly may have earned herself a tilt at this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October after victory in the Nagroda Soliny at Warsaw on Saturday, meaning that the Irish-bred filly is now unbeaten in all nine career starts, six of which have come with trainer’s daughter Joanna Wyrzyk in the saddle.
Already featured by Anglo German Racing last year as a horse to watch, Inter Royal Lady, by Holy Roman Emperor out of Irish Listed winner Fearn Royal, was bought by bloodstock agent Bobby O’Ryan at the Goffs October 2018 Yearling Sales for 25,000 EUR, a deal which has looked excellent value, especially given Inter Royal Lady’s spectacular 14 length success in the Nagroda Wiosenna (Polish 1000 Guineas) at Warsaw last month.
Besides Inter Royal Lady, trainer Wyrzyk is also responsible for the Irish-bred NIGHT THUNDER and the French-bred pair HIPOP DE LOIRE and PROLETARIUS. All three won last time out, however, although moving up in class, Hipop de Loire, an impressive six length winner of a class 2 race last month, could prove to be best of the trio, especially as him dam won in France over 2400 metres, the same distance as Sunday’s contest.
TIMEMASTER won the Nagroda Rulera (Polish 2000 Guineas) last month, but finished 3½ lengths behind Inter Royal Lady in May, and is now 4 kg worse off at the weights. GRAN EMPEROR, NIGHT TORNADO, SAIGET and SEWERUS were second, third, fourth and sixth respectively to Timemaster in the 2000 Guineas.
HUNGARY: INTERNATIONAL FIELD FOR GROUP 1 CONTEST (continued)
However, in a race where several of these may not be running at their optimum distance, it may pay to take a chance on the Csaba Zala-trained BIBORHAJNAL. Third in this race last year, Biborhajnal went on to land a Group 2 contest over 1600 metres in September (RYONY back in second) before finishing runner up in another Group 2 contest, this time over 2000 metres. Having finished in the top 3 in all of her last eleven races on turf, the consistent six year old mare could be the one to beat here.
PREDICTION: BIBORHAJNAL - GOLDEN SEA - RYONY - CHARLIE FIRPO - FIRST THOUGHT