Image: Penalty; www.marcruehl.com / Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
PRESS RELEASE
Big Week from August 24 - September 01, 2024 in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim:
Converted the penalty: Impressive victory in the 91st Brunner-Oettingen race
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, September 1, 2024 (MH) – The Penalty has won: The eponymous son of world-class thoroughbred Frankel dominated Sunday’s gathering of mile stars in the 91st Brunner-Oettingen Race (Group II, 70,000 euros, 1,600 m) on the final day of the “Große Woche” at the racetrack in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim. The three-year-old, trained by Henk Grewe in Cologne for Eckhard Sauren (president of the Cologne Racing Club and vice president of 1. FC Köln), ultimately dominated the field at will.
Ridden by Thore Hammer-Hansen, the leader in the current jockey standings, the 3.2:1 co-favorite pulled away from his five rivals midway down the home stretch in the style of an exceptional horse, winning by three and three-quarters lengths. In doing so, he redeemed himself for his lackluster performance in his most recent start, the Grosses Dallmayr-Preis over 2,000 meters in Munich. The reward was a prize of 40,000 euros and the third career victory in his sixth start.
The French contender and top favorite, Elamaz, was unable to keep up on the outside after a powerful burst but narrowly secured second place ahead of Geography—who had led for much of the race—and See Hector, who also held his own well. Best Lightning and Armira were unable to get in on the action.
VOICES:
Thore Hammer-Hansen (Penalty’s jockey): “He is the most talented horse I’ve ever ridden. I’d like to thank the entire team led by trainer Henk Grewe and owner Eckhard Sauren, who have placed so much trust in me.”
Henk Grewe (trainer of Penalty and See Hector): “Last time out in Munich, the distance was too long and the pace wasn’t quite right. Thore did a great job today, and Penalty was a completely different horse. He could continue in a Group II race during Arc weekend in Paris. I’m also very pleased with See Hector. He’ll continue racing in Italy or Düsseldorf.”
Eckhard Sauren (owner of Penalty): “That was a 100-kilo performance. In Munich, the distance and pace weren’t right for Penalty. With a good pace in the race, everything was different this time. The way he picked up speed was incredible.”
Rene Piechulek (Elamaz's jockey): "We had a perfect race, but the better horse won."
Peter Schiergen (Geography’s trainer): “He didn’t quite let up at the front, but we’re satisfied with a third-place finish in a Group II race. He was too eager at the start. Our next target is a 1,400-meter race in Cologne.”
Andreas Suborics (coach of Best Lightning): “It was a rough race for him. But he ran his personal best again. Now we’re heading to Düsseldorf.”
The final day began with a surprising victory by Leon (9.1), a track specialist sent by Werner Glanz from Munich, who—thanks to a brilliant race strategy by Adrie de Vries—dominated the 1,800-meter Handicap II race from start to finish against local hero Dhangadhi and Woody Wood.
Dr. Christoph Berglar’s Alvorada (3.5:1) appears to have a bright future ahead of her, as the three-year-old—entered by Waldemar Hickst in a 2,200-meter race—very confidently lived up to her high expectations under jockey Rene Piechulek, finishing ahead of Mathayl and Silvaplana.
Schael Returns to the Winning Track
Seventh win in his twelfth start—after a brief hiatus, Schael, the family horse of Cologne-based trainer Peter Schiergen, returned to winning ways when he held off Iffezheim’s Quarantini, as well as Pericolo (owned by Martin Kronimus) and Dorazio, with a superb late surge in the 2,400-meter Class III handicap race. The four-horse wager paid 2,688.9:1 euros.
In the first of the five World Pool races, the photo finish showed a narrow lead for Donna Helma (5.3:1) from Yasmin Almenräder’s Mülheim stable. Nina Baltromei, riding Volker Käufling’s mare, just managed to edge out the local contenders Direct Hit and Ready to Rumble.
Rider Nina Baltromei and trainer Yasmin Almenräder were on a roll that day, as the two of them later even completed a triplet with Nakota and Adjö.
The underdogs dominated the HKJC World Pool Handicap (Handicap II, 25,000 euros, 2,400 m), as Imaran (10.3:1), ridden by Sibylle Vogt and trained by Dr. Andreas Bolte, narrowly edged out Saludos and Goin’.
Firmly in Dutch hands
The President of the United Arab Emirates Cup (Group II, 40,000 euros, 1,600 m) for Arabian Thoroughbreds was firmly in Dutch hands, as the top two finishers—El Paso T (6.2:1) with Kobe Vanderbeke and Lightning Thunder—both came from the Netherlands, ahead of the French favorite, Djafar.
Betting turnover for the twelve races totaled 1,446,358.62 euros (turnover in Germany and abroad, excluding World Pool). The five World Pool races generated a total of approximately 12.1 million euros. Overall, betting turnover for the “Grosse Woche” totaled 3,760,557.83 euros.
Sales & Racing Festival in October
Excitement is already building in Iffezheim for the final event of the year, the Sales & Racing Festival, taking place October 18–20.
Further dates for Baden Galopp 2024 racing events
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
