The English page - King of Cologne

Yes, we were building up last weekends Mehl-Muhlens-Stiftung - 62. Preis von Europa as the best assembly of racehorses in one race on German soil, till at the last minute on Thursday morning the news filtered through that the world's number 2 rated racehorse Goliath would not be taking part and somehow immediately the race lost the gloss factor. What could have been a rematch between the winner and the third from Ascots King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on German turf was off. But Germar racing needs to look on the positive side and at least we were still going to see the Globetrotter and World number 4 in Cologne The Godolphin Dubawi son Rebels Romance, a six year old gelding that had 13 wins to his name and over 7,800,000 Euro in prize money collected in lands like Qatar, Dubai, Hong Kong and the United States and already over 5 million in the year 2024. 

Over 12,500 happy racehorse fans made their way to Weidenpescher Park in Cologne to see Rebels Romance take on the Irish filly Trevaunance, second behind India in this race last year, and four of Germany's most talented gallopers of 2024, as he followed the same route of 2022, when he won the Preis Von Europa before going on to Keeneland and taking the Longines Breeders Cup Turf. He would be taking on Germany's best three year old colt and the same age filly as well as our best stayer Lordano (Adlerflug) and a forgotten horse Straight (Zarak). whos best piece of form had been here in Cologne, when he won the 2023 Union Rennen and advanced to Derby favorite that year.

Over the 2400m (1m 4f) distance and on good to soft ground there was no pace whatsoever in the race and Shane Foley had to let the Irish filly Trevaunance go to the front on the lead as he tried to steady and settle the filly and they were unwilling pacesetters. Palladium (Gleneagles), the Derby winner followed with Lordano in third, Rebel Romance and William Buick bided their time as the Oaks winner Erle (Reliable Man) surprisingly sat out behind with the outsider Straight. It was obvious this would turninto a sprint. Turning down the Cologne straight  two lenghts would have covered the field as they bunched up to join Trevaunance. Palladium came under pressure as Buick sent Rebels Romance in sight of that second win in this race but surprisingly he was being followed by the biggest outsider Straight as Lordano kept on well on the rails whereas Erle found it hardest to Sprint.

One furlong down and it looked liked one of the biggest upsets was going to happen as Straight threw down the gauntlet to Rebels Romance, but the Globetrotter is a seasoned campaigner, he knows how to battle and he stuck his neck out to win by a neck. What a tough horse. Lordano stayed at it well 2 and 3/4 lenghts back in third with Trevaunance, making the running and not settling did not help her cause, held the rest for the fourth spot. Erle could not have been helped by new tactics in a slow run race having made all in the Oaks and  Palladium also found it tough and was beaten about six lenghts. Some questions that need to be answered after the race was how this slow run race with a sprint finish was the fastest ever run Preis von Europe, a race record time of 2.25.91 minutes. It must have been an exceptionally fast last 400 meters! How this years three year old crop rates with their elders as the years best ran last and second last here ! 

On the undercard we had the Group 3 Kolner Sprint Trophy run over 1400m (7f). Unfortunately here the guest from France and race favorite Whispering Dreams at even money, more or less refused to race on leaving the gates and followed detached a furlong behind. In a fast run race Shootout (Areion) running from the front,  looked like he was going to collect only to be collared close home by Gestut Brummerhofs 4 year old Muharaar daughter Armira in the hands of Sibylle Vogt for trainer Peter Schiergen. Gestut Karlshofs Three Havanas (Havana Grey). landed 2½ lenght away in third. Of the rest Danelo faired best but never got involved. Shootout will join Derby winner Palladium at the upcoming Arqana Arc Sales.  

The Listed two year old race the Dingers Gartencentre Koln sponsored event saw the Marcel Weiss trained Best Solution daughter Goldaue kept her white vest as she came home 1 3/4 lengths the good over Lips Vega (Lope de Vega) and Sorceress (Belardo) five lenghts back in third in the seven runner contest. The winner was ridden by Rene Piechulek in the colours of Gary Barber and Team Valor. She had previously won her maiden in Mulheim for Gestut Auenquelle. She looks pretty talented. 

Looking on to this weekend and we have meetings in Krefeld on Saturday and Dusseldorf and Hannover both on Sunday. Dusseldorfs main event is the 104 Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt Dusseldorf, a Group 3 event over 1700m (1m 1/2 f ). At the final entry stage, See Hector with Corentin Berge or Best Lightning with Adrie de Vries could pose the best home defence against the English trained Brave Emperor. The Archie Watson trained 4 year old Sioux Nation gelding is a tough sort and is well known here in Germany having won the Dr Busch Memorial GR 3 in Krefeld and this corresponding race in 2023. Another well travelled horse who has been to France, Italy, Qatar and Germany with success.

Up in Hannover the 10 race programme features a Listed race over 2000 m (1m 2f) for 3 year old and older fillies. It looks like having a good size field with Veil of Shadows (Frankel) representing France for Henri Alex Pantall and Godolphin while Ultima (Amaron) is being sent by Veronika Jandova on a longer trip from Denmark. The German bred filly recently won the Lanwades Stud filly and mares Stakes in Ovrevoll. The home team though is pretty strong here. with Diamond Crown (Cracksman), Egina (Soldier Hollow), Narmada (Adlerflug), Royal Night (Acclamation) or Princess Valentina (Soldier Hollow) all German rated 90 fillies who will be looking for more black type.

Shannon Spratter