Image: Giavellotto; Frank Sorge/ www.galoppfoto.de /Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
Press release
Big Week, August 29–September 6, 2026, in Baden-Baden • Iffezheim:
The Grand Finale of the Thoroughbred Champions: the WETTSTAR.de – 156th Baden Grand Prix
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, September 3, 2026 (MH) – Thoroughbred stars will take the stage at the Grand Finale of the 2026 “Grosse Woche” on Sunday, September 6, at the Baden-Baden-Iffezheim Racetrack. With the WETTSTAR.de – 156th Baden Grand Prix (Group I, 300,000 euros, 2,400 m), the season’s highlight at Germany’s premier racetrack is just around the corner. Sponsored once again by Germany’s leading horse racing betting provider, this top-tier race has for decades been regarded as a stepping stone to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—the world’s most prestigious race—held on the first Sunday in October at ParisLongchamp. With Danedream in 2011 and Torquator Tasso in 2021, two of Germany’s Arc winners are also on the list of Grand Prix winners in Iffezheim. A year ago, the highly successful globetrotter Goliath took the title.
World Pool Returns, with Live Broadcasts to a Wide Range of Countries
The WETTSTAR.de – 156th Baden Grand Prix will once again be broadcast to approximately 27 countries (including Hong Kong) and will be available for betting in Asia’s betting mecca. This race is part of the World Pool managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Betting turnover here runs into the millions. Important: Baden Galopp itself does not offer its own betting pool for this race—all wagers are routed entirely to Hong Kong!
Strong Lineup of Guests
Once again, top-class horses will be gracing the event: We can be particularly excited about Giavellotto from England, a globetrotter who has already earned over 3.7 million euros. The stallion, trained by Marco Botti, has shone on multiple occasions even in Hong Kong and also finished fourth in the 2025 Arc in Paris. His ambitious plan: After Iffezheim, Giavellotto is set to head to the Breeders’ Cup in the U.S. and compete in the Hong Kong Vase for the third time. Most recently, he defeated the superstar mare Kalpana in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. In the saddle is 20-year-old English rising star Billy Loughnane.
Saddadd (J. Mitchell), the fourth-place finisher in the Eclipse Stakes sent over from England by Roger Varian, is wearing the colors of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum. Top French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who produced the winner a year ago with Goliath, is counting on Parachutiste (C. Lecoeuvre) this time around; the horse has recently earned two runner-up finishes in Group races in the neighboring country for Qatar Racing Limited.
Germany's Most Exciting Horse: Bright Light
Among the local entrants, Bright Light (B. Marie)—who ran very close to the top-class mare Tiffany in the Westminster Grand Prix of Berlin—is perhaps currently Germany’s most exciting horse. Trainer Andreas Suborics identified the Grand Prix in Iffezheim early on as the target for the three-year-old. Lordano (ridden by the recovered Sibylle Vogt), entered by Marcel Weiß for Gestüt Ittlingen, remains undefeated this season with just two starts. He is best known here for his victory in the 2025 Tattersalls Grand Prix. Also entered are Spezialist (B. Murzabayev), who finished second in the Fürstenberg race, and the rapidly improving Nariman (M. Lerner). Rounding out the eight-horse field is Wild Crusade (A. Pietsch).
A Standout Performer in the 93rd Brunner–Oettingen Race
With the 93rd Brunner–Oettingen Race (Group II, 70,000 euros, 1,600 m), Baden Galopp is presenting another Group race thanks to the support of the furniture company from Rheinau. Next Mine (T. Hammer-Hansen) could celebrate another Group victory here for Eckhard Sauren. The Cologne-based owner is also represented by Nardos (S. Vogt), who most recently won an auction race in Düsseldorf. One interesting up-and-comer is certainly Loucas (R. Piechulek) from Ittlingen. But the local mile specialists will face some very interesting visitors from France and England, such as Mandanaba (C. Lecoeuvre), running for Princess Zahra Aga Khan, and Ridari (B. Loughnane) for the major English owner Amo Racing.
Sunday’s final program features ten races, including a Class I handicap (25,000 euros, 2,400 m). The first race starts at 11:15 a.m., as several races will also be broadcast to France. The gates open at 10 a.m. Since this is a Premium Raceday, all races offer a purse of at least 15,000 euros.
Betting highlights in abundance
Sunday is once again shaping up to be a top day for horse racing. The four-horse parlay will be offered three times. The guaranteed pool for Race 5 (Handicap IV, 1,800 m) is 20,000 euros. There will be 10,000 euros each in Race 3 (Handicap III, 1,800 m) and Race 10 (Handicap III, 1,000 m). A total of 10,000 euros is available for the V4 bet across Races 7 through 10.
2026 Baden Galopp Racing Schedule:
Big week:
Saturday, August 29
Sunday, August 30
Tuesday, September 1
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
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Company headquarters: Iffezheim
Mannheim Local Court: HRA 708774
Represented by Baden Galopp Verwaltungs GmbH
Company headquarters: Iffezheim
Mannheim Local Court: HRB 3821
Managing Director: Stephan Buchner
