Breeding & Racing in Germany
In order to be of assistance to our growing number of readers from abroad, we are with immediate effect publishing in every issue of Turf Times an English page, giving in compact form all the latest racing and breeding news from Germany in English.
When we introduced “The English page” in Turf Times a few years ago, there was no question about the author. Our English readers could not be better informed about what was happening here than by David Conolly-Smith. Born in Nottingham, the Englishman, correspondent for various British and Irish specialist newspapers, German representative of the International Racing Bureau, contact point for all active people from the island, lived in Munich and horse racing was his passion. He passed away on July 9, 2023 at the age of 83. It was his wish that Shannon Patricia Spratter should continue the English-language column in his place. He was friends with her father, the Irish-born trainer John David hillis, wo is working in Munich, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Our columnist briefly introduces herself here.
Writes the column for the English-speaking Turf Times readers: Shannon Spratter with her father, former jockey and current gallop trainer, John David Hillis. Foto: privat
My name is Shannon Patricia Spratter and I was born into racing through my father, former jockey and now trainer, John David Hillis and mother, Jeanette Spratter.
Due to the recommendation of David Conolly-Smith, I have taken over his part with great enthusiasm and now write the English edition about our German racing.
When I'm not in front of the computer writing texts or pursuing my main job, I spend my time at my father's racing stable. My favourite hobby is riding races as an amateur.
Last weekend we had plenty of racing in Germany but most of it was average run of the mill handicaps for lower grade horses, the type of racing that keeps the bookmaker shops open and in business. We had racing in Cologne on Friday evening, Magdeburg took over on Saturday while Sunday saw two tracks open there doors, Dusseldorf and Leipzig. Now in my opinion, its all ok having racing but Germany is not England or France and we just dont have their number of horses in training, so we are getting ridiculously small fields of four and five runners and very uncompetitive racing. Again it's ok helping PMU and from thar the German Race Clubs costs get covered but we are killing our product.
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There were a lot of highs last weekend in Baden-Baden on Germany's most international weekend with even the weather temperature playing its part. Sweltering heat in the Iffezheim area and an official going of good though by Sunday it was probably on the faster side of good saw some interesting racing and some history being made.
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Baden Baden's International week of racing kicked off last Saturday with beautiful clear skies, beach weather nearly to warm for horse racing. The beautiful weather brought a good crowd to Iffezhem to enjoy their eight race card with the feature being the ex Spreti-Rennen the now named 69. Preis der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, a Group III race over the 2000meters (1m 2f) distance.
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Last Sunday we had two meetings, Dusseldorf with an early 11o`clock start and Hannover kicking off at a more conventional 13.40 with its 10 race card going through till 18.45 in the evening. At both meeting the main races were listed events. Up in Hannover where the ground was officially good to soft but looked on the softer side there was a little upset in the feature race the Preis von Volkswagen Automobile Listed Stutenrennen over 2400 meters (1m 4f). Carmen Bocskai went into the race two fold with her Techno Beat the 7/2 favorite and Kammuri Diamond starting 13/1.
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Berlin - Hoppegarten enjoyed some beautiful weather last weekend and saw almost 12.000 horse racing fans pass through their turnstiles to enjoy a top class Raceday. The main race of the day the Westminister 134. Grosser Preis von Berlin a Group I event and over the last years a real prep race for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe had only the seven starters, but they included some of Germany's top horses at this distance of 2400 meters (1m 4f). The likes of Tunnes, Mr Hollywood or Best of Lips. from the older brigade or Narrativo, this years Union winner, a top class three-year-old who was trying to put a bad Derby run behind him. Both the foreign runners came with the highest respect with King of Conquest representing Charlie Appleby and the Godolphin Team. Al Riffa from Joseph O Briens Carriganog Racing Stables in Piltown Co. Kilkenny was the form horse in the race.
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An excellent crowd turned up last weekend for Dusseldorf's main Raceday of the season featuring the Group I, 166. Henkel - Preis der Diana the German Oaks and Germany's most prestigious race for fillies. It was a class act on the day that won the fillies classic, and it came from the Reliable man filly Erle.
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The days leading up to Munich's main race of the season the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis - Bayerisches Zuchtrennen last Sunday were horridly hot and humid and a day, before we were reckoning with good ground when not even on the faster side from good but overnight from Saturday off Sunday the clouds opened, and we had some heavy shower through the night. The day itself started out overcast and with showers continued through till the main event turning the ground good to soft. Even the start of the holiday period or the morning rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of a 13.500 crowd. Nine went to post for this Group I event with last years second and Horse of the Year in 2023 Fantastic Moon (Sea the Moon) for Liberty Racing, local trainer Sarah Steinberg and regular pilot Rene Piechulek sent off 5/4 favorite.
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The highlight of last weekends racing was the Group III Furstenberg Rennen over 2400 meters (1m 4f) in Berlin-Hoppegarten in very warm conditions, the ground was officially given as good, over 6.600 paying customers came through the turnstiles to see the nine strong field contest the contest. At the end of the 1½ mile contest the crowd were treated to a thrilling finish with a nose and head separating the first three home.
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Before we look back at the highlight races of last weeks Hamburg meeting. I would just like to say a few words about the meeting itself. It is my opinion that only the Derby and its exciting finish saved the meeting.
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This week is really all about looking forward rather than back but last weekend Sunday saw the opening day of the Derby meeting and a sparkling performance once again from the 3-year-old filly Three Havanas. In the future event in Hamburg- Sparkasse Holstein Cup, a Group III event for 3-year-old and older fillies over 1600 meters (1m) the Havana Gold daughter showed once again what a gem she is. We said in our last column how tough and honest this little grey is but here she showed how versatile she is as well. Having finished third in the German 1000 Guineas, when ridden prominently, she jumped and made all over 1200 meters (6f) for an easy win a good sales race and here she adopted the same tactics making all and running them into the ground. Her easy 1 1/2 length victory was never in doubt as she ran away from Amira (Muhaarar) with the 5/2 favourite Sea the Lady (Sea the Moon) staying on 2 3/4 lengths away in third.
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We were looking forward to some good competitive racing last weekend and the meetings in Dusseldorf and Dortmund did not disappoint.
In Dusseldorf on the Saturday, the main event was the 25.000 Euro Heuking Diana Trial (Oaks Trial) over 2100 meters (1m 2 ½ f) with nine fillies taking their chance here. Market Leader at 5/4 was Weltbeste running for Gestuet Roettgen and trainer Maxim Pecheur. The Soldier Hollow daughter had won her only start at two and again on her seasonal reappearance before finishing a good third in a listed race in Hannover three weeks ago. Again, she ran very creditably here under Martin Seidl but had to give second best to Ashana at the line.
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