The English page - French winner in the "Grand Prix"

This year’s Baden-Baden summer meeting seemed to have everything that the racing public could ask for. The weather held good during the week and right up to the final weekend the sun shone on Iffezheim. And it would be the weather that would lead to controversial circumstances surrounding the Großer Preis von Baden on the Sunday. With the good weather the racecourse attracted crowds of 8.000 plus on all days and over 16.000 were treated to a spectacular day on the Group I Sunday.

The Großer Preis von Baden had a field of seven at declaration where Derby Winner Fantastic Moon had been supplemented to the tune of 40.000 € with the prospects of good weather and good ground that his trainer and owners say he must have. That the weather had held up to the Sunday was their blessing but unknown to them the racecourse in conjunction with the meetings stewards allowed the track to be watered for 15 minutes overnight. On Sunday the team from Fantastic Moon were totally unsatisfied with the going having inspected before racing and made their decision then one hour before the race to withdraw their star 3-year-old. He holds an engagement this Sunday in the Group II Qatar Prix Niel over 2400 meters in Longchamp where at the moment it looks like he will face seven opponents with the Group I Grand Prix de Paris winner Feed the Flame (Kingsman) looking the toughest.

With the withdrawal of Fantastic Moon the French runner Zagrey (Zarak) with Champion Jockey Christophe Soumillon on board for the Yann Barberot stables started a hot favourite. It was a race to savour. Kassada (Sea the Moon) runner up in the Oaks made the running at a slow pace, till in the back straight Lukas Delozier on the Derby runner up Mr Hollywood (Iquitos) was not happy with the pace, took the lead and increased the speed. For most of the race it looked like everything was working out for Mr Hollywood as he ventured to the outside rail down the home straight and fought of a very determined challenge from Straight (Zarak) the Union Winner who had come from last place with his challenge whereas the favorite momentarily found no racing room on the rails behind Mr. Hollywood. Luck would run though for the French Team and as Lukas Delozier let Mr Hollywood drift from the rail leaving the gap that Soumillon was praying for, and he was very quick to accept the gifted space, as he sent Zagrey up the rail to nab the Derby runner up on the line and win by a neck with Straight showing his best form again under Josef Bojko ½ length away in third place. They were followed home by Quantanamera, Kassada and a disappointing Sisfahan. The crowd showed their approval for the French Winner but also for the two 3-year-old German Runners who ran fine races.

The 153. Wettstar.de Großer Preis von Baden 2023 went to Zagrey a first Group I winner for up-and-coming sire Zarak, it was nice payday for owners Ecurie Altima S.C. and a satisfying success for Ex-French Jockey now trainer Yann Barberot and another win at top level added to the C.V. of Star Jockey Christophe Soumillion.

On the same card the second feature race the 90. Brunner-Oetttingen Group II race over the mile, saw Calif (Areion) from Peter Schiergen Cologne stables for owners Stall Hanse show again he like this Baden-Baden mile having earlier this year won the Group III Kronimus Badener Mile here. The 4-year-old came home an easy 2 ½ length winner from the English trained Brave Emperor (Sioux Nation) and Aguirre (Camelot) to lay claims to Germanys Best Miller in 2023. On the Saturday Darkaniya (Frankel) in the famous Aga Khan Colours secured the Group II T.v. Zastrow Fillies race over 2400 meters for Trainer Francis Henry Graffard. Contributing to this French success was ex German Champion Jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev who steered the winner to a 1 ¼ lengths success and prove too good for the gallant Kolossal (Outstrip) and North Reliance (Reliable Man).

A huge field of 15 went to the start for the Wackenhut Mercedes Benz fillies Cup a listed race over 1400 meters (7 furlongs). Diamond Vega (Lope de Vega) came home an easy 1 ¾ length winner for owners Regents Consulting’s and trainer Ralph Beckett from England under avery capable young female rider Laura Pearson. Waited with she put the race to bed very quickly at the furlong pole as she quickened pass the two French challengers Samahram (Sea the Moon) and Kimi Orenda (Bated Breath) with Dishina (Soldier Hollow) finishing best of the German runners in 4th place.

Last week we said Extraa had been an unlucky looser against Zerostress in the 153. Casino Baden-Baden Goldener Peitsche Group III and it has now been noted that the owners have lodged an appeal against the verdict to the Direktorium. Interesting what the view off the higher Race court will be.

 After a tremendous Racing week in Baden-Baden, it was so terribly sad to hear the news of the loss of 4 times German Champion Filip Minarik, who succumbed to his inner torment on the Monday, one day after the Group I Großer Preis von Baden-Baden a race he had won four times: 2006 Prince Flori, 2010 Night Magic, 2014 Ivanhowe and 2017 Guignol. A Tragic end to a Champion. Rest in Peace Filip. Our sincere Condolences go to his Family and Friends. 

Shannon Spratter