Picture: Alsterperle after winning the Carla Kellner Zukunftsrennen - Preis der Winterkönigin; www.marcruehl.com / The use of the picture is free of charge in connection with the coverage of Baden Galopp
Press release
Sales & Racing Festival from October 17-19, 2025 in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim:
12,200 spectators, over 881,000 euros in sales and Alsterperle an impressive winter queen
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, October 20, 2025 (MH) - 12,200 spectators, a betting turnover of over 881,000 euros and an impressive Winter Queen Alsterperle - the Sales & Racing Festival, comprising two days of racing and the BBAG Autumn Auction, brought the 2025 racing season to a close on Sunday at Germany's most important racecourse in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim under the direction of Baden Galopp.
The organizer was pleased with the figures: A total of 12,200 visitors came to Iffezheim on the two race days (3,700 spectators on Friday, 8,500 on Sunday, when the race day was themed Oktoberfest with lots of activities), with the weather playing along perfectly. This exceeded last year's spectator figure of 11,450. Betting turnover totaled €881,194.07 (of which €413,195.00 was generated on the track) in the 17 races, a slight increase on the €845,978.29 in 2024, although one more race was held than in the previous year. Of this, €358,762.81 was generated on Friday and €522,431.26 on Sunday. On average, €51,834.95 flowed through the betting tills per race. However, a little more interest would have been hoped for in some of the four-horse bets and the V4 bet. As one four and one V4 bet were not hit, there will be two jackpots at the 2026 Spring Meeting.
Third victory for Martin Seidl in the top highlight
The absolute highlight of the 17 races was the Carla Kellner Zukunftsrennen - Preis der Winterkönigin (Group II, 155,000 euros, 1,600 m), the most important race for two-year-old fillies, which was once again run under the patronage of Carla Kellner, the granddaughter of Iffezheim owner Rainer Kellner. Here, the greatest confidence of the weather had gone with the Englishwoman Sea The Storm, who, however, found her champion in Alsterperle, a lady trained by Maxim Pecheur for Gestüt Röttgen at the kennel in Rath-Heumar on the outskirts of Cologne, who won her very first race.
Martin Seidl in the saddle of Alsterperle had set the course for victory early on in the home straight ahead of Sea The Storm, who took the place of honor against the long-time leader Valzeina. It was the jockey's third triumph in the Winterkönigin after Whispering Angel in 2018 and Quantanamera in 2022. The prize money for Gestüt Röttgen amounted to 85,000 euros in a season that has not yet lived up to expectations.
"The horses are all doing well, but Alsterperle simply hadn't been able to win yet, which was surprising given her work performance. She had a perfect race and impressively confirmed our high opinion of her," said Pecheur, who used to be one of the top jockeys in this country. In 2024, he had already won the classic Henkel Prize of Diana with Erle in his first year as a trainer.
About Begum Aga Khan - an unusual route into racing
In the Herbst Trophy (Group III, 55,000 euros, 2,400 m), sponsored for the first time by Mannheim-based B.A.U. GmbH, the visitors were in for a huge surprise. After all, very few people had expected Rashford, trained by Marian Falk Weißmeier in Krefeld and ridden by Englishman Jack Mitchell. In a thrilling battle, the outsider gained a minimal lead over the mare Nastaria and the favorite Lordano.
"He had rarely encountered the right soft ground. Today the ground and the race were perfect," said a delighted Weißmeier. Interesting fact: owner and breeder Friedrich Hodel had only arrived from Switzerland at the very last minute, as his train had been canceled. When asked how he had found his way into racing, the real estate agent replied: "Via Begum Aga Khan. She had once rented an apartment from me."
Loucas impresses in Germany's most highly endowed two-year-old race
The stallion Loucas catapulted himself to one of the top positions in his year in Germany's most highly endowed two-year-old race, the Ferdinand Leisten Memorial for prize money of 200,000 euros on the opening day of the meeting, in the colors of Ittlingen Stud, from whose breeding he also comes. Under Andrasch Starke, the youngster from the Cologne stables of Waldemar Hickst, who was greatly underestimated at the Toto, did not give international competition the slightest chance.
Pure emotion
There were some emotional moments after a maiden race, as the winner Bosporus belongs to jockey Robin Weber, who recently suffered a serious fall in Honzrath. Winning jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen, who turned 26 that day, sent best wishes for his recovery to the hospital on behalf of the entire turf community.
Iffezheim trainer Karoly Kerekes enjoyed a highly successful meeting with two victories thanks to the two hits with Adelaide on Friday and Raagi on Sunday. The great female power in the level I class, which Atoso won with rider Michaela Malacova for trainer Sarka Schütz from Hoppegarten, should also not go unmentioned.
Anna van den Troost and Peter Schiergen the top performers
Anna van den Troost (jockeys) and Peter Schiergen (trainer) were the most successful athletes with three goals each. The Baden Airpark Press Cup was won by the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper.
BBAG fall auction almost at last year's level
At the BBAG Autumn Auction on Friday evening and Saturday, 208 of the 292 horses on offer were sold (71 percent), which corresponds to an average price of €10,493. The total turnover amounted to 2,182,500 euros, which was around three percent below the result of 2024. A sister of Loucas, who was so impressive in the Ferdinand Leisten Memorial, became the top price at 110,000 euro. The buyer of the mare from the Hof Ittlingen stud was A-Turf.
Stephan Buchner, Managing Partner of Baden Galopp, in an initial assessment: "We are very satisfied with the Sales & Racing Festival and with the entire 2025 season in general. We had increases in all areas, i.e. spectator numbers, betting turnover, hospitality and sponsorship, compared to previous years. However, the truth is that we were also incredibly lucky with the weather and that the increases in revenue were basically offset by higher costs. We will now start planning for 2026 and look forward to the coming year. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who supported us, whether as visitors, active participants or partners and sponsors, and of course my wonderful team."
2026 racing season starts on June 4
The 2026 racing year in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim will once again comprise ten race days and will start with the Spring Meeting from June 4 to 7. All expected dates can be found at the end of the press release.
Dates of the Baden Galopp 2026 racing events
Spring Meeting:
Thursday, June 4
Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7
Big week:
Saturday, August 29
Sunday, August 30
Wednesday, September 2
Saturday, September 5
Sunday, September 6
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 16
Sunday, October 18
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Andre Lott
Press contact
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
www.badengalopp.de
