Image: Augustus; www.marcruehl.com / Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
PRESS RELEASE
Spring Meeting from May 30 - June 02, 2024 in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim:
Augustus is the successor to Fantastic Moon
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, June 1, 2024 (MH) – Augustus is the successor to Fantastic Moon as the winner of a major trial for the IDEE 155th German Derby on July 7 in Hamburg: The three-year-old stallion Augustus, trained by Waldemar Hickst in Cologne for Klaus Hofmann’s Lucky Owner stable, followed in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Fantastic Moon—who went on to win the race of all races in the Hanseatic city—in front of 7,350 spectators in the Japan Racing Association Derby Trial (Group III, 55,000 euros, 2,000 meters).
It was an impressive final sprint by Augustus, a son of the recently retired top sire Soldier Hollow. When the favorite, Wilko, took the lead in the home stretch from Neu-Iffezheim’s Geminano—who had set a very brisk pace on the track, which had become very soft after heavy rains—it seemed the race was decided. Running along the outside rail, the winner of the WETTSTAR.de – Bavarian Classic appeared to be heading for a clear victory. But that was without accounting for Augustus’s fighting spirit. Jockey Michal Abik, riding the 5.5:1 longshot (who had most recently finished fifth in Munich, well behind Wilko), tapped into enormous reserves and managed to turn the tables at the wire by half a length.
Two Opportunities for Hamburg
The winning purse for the Lucky Owner stable totaled 32,000 euros. It was Augustus’s second victory, following a Listed race win in Italy in 2023. This means that the owner and breeder now has two strong contenders for the Blue Ribbon, following Wintertraum, who won the Derby Trial in Düsseldorf. “The trainer has done a first-rate job,” said Klaus Hofmann.
Wilko finished well behind the winner but remains a strong contender for Hamburg. Behind him, there was a gap of ten lengths to third-place finisher New Emerald. Koelle took fourth place ahead of Geminiano, who faded slightly toward the end. The other horse from Iffezheim, Tuppes, finished in last place.
VOICES:
Michal Abik (Augustus's jockey): “I had a very good position in the race. Leon Wolff pushed Wilko a little earlier than I did, and that might have cost him the win on this track. My horse ran great and handled the track well.”
Waldemar Hickst (Augustus’s trainer): “My horses are often not yet at 100 percent in their first race of the year, but they improve as the season goes on. That was also the case with Augustus. He’d been training great and liked the track. In my opinion, Wintertraum is even better, but the owner thinks Augustus is better. A lot also depends on the track conditions. Augustus is now headed straight to the Derby.”
Henk Grewe (Wilko's coach): "He was a little too far up front, but I'm still happy with his performance—everything's fine. Now we're off to Hamburg."
Sabine Mathias (owner of New Emerald): “I’m very happy with third place. On this track, the distance was a bit too long for him last time.”
Fabian Xaver Weißmeier (Geminiano's trainer): "The pace was maybe a tad too fast, but we wanted a fast race. His performance was fine, though. Now he's heading straight into the Derby."
Dates of race events Baden Galopp 2024
Spring Meeting:
Thursday, May 30
Saturday, June 01
Sunday, June 02
Big week:
Saturday, August 24
Sunday, August 25
Wednesday, August 28
Saturday, August 31
Sunday, September 01
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 18
Sunday, October 20
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Andre Lott
Press contact
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
www.badengalopp.de
