Image: Stingray; www.marcruehl.com / 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:
Stingray's "Speed" Wins the 71st Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Award
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, August 29, 2026 (MH) – What a statement: Marcel Weiß, the successful trainer from Mülheim who has been winning almost everything this season, entered three horses in the first Group race of the “Grosse Woche” in front of 10,900 spectators on Saturday at the racetrack in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim. A few minutes before the 71st Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Prize (Group III, 55,000 euros, 2,000 m) on this summery Saturday, he named Stingray as his top contender in an interview. And in a thrilling final sprint, the five-year-old son of Zarak—at 6.2:1 odds—won this highlight, once again sponsored by the bank, for breeder, owner, and transporter Günther Schmidt (Taxi4Horses.com), becoming the successor to last year’s winner, Quest the Moon. In doing so, he secured trainer Marcel Weiß’s 150th victory.
’s Impressive Comeback
Jockey Leon Wolff kept his cool in the eight-horse field, starting the race from one of the back positions, while Delgardo set the pace up front ahead of Soft Winds, Lazio, Petit Marin, and the favorite, Wilko. On the home stretch, an exciting duel initially developed between Delgardo, who kept pulling away, and the strongly attacking mare Soft Winds, while Lazio—who had been prominent early on this time—eventually had to give way. But once Leon Wolff found an opening with Stingray, he practically flew through it, securing a neck-length lead and, with his fourth career victory, the 32,000-euro winner’s purse.
Delgardo, a brother of the current Derby winner Dardanos, went down with honor and ultimately secured second place once again against the very dangerous-looking Soft Winds, who nearly provided a 60th birthday gift for owner Gregor Baum and finished third, another neck behind. Wilko, in fourth place, may have still been feeling the effects of his layoff. The other horses were unable to pick up the pace, though Peace of Japan had a rather unfortunate race on the outside.
VOICES:
Leon Wolff (Stingray's jockey): “I had a nice race behind the other horses at first, but then there wasn’t much room at the start of the home stretch. I trusted my horse’s speed, though, and I wasn’t disappointed.”
Marcel Weiß (trainer of Stingray, Petit Marin, and Peace of Japan): “Stingray had been improving steadily this year. Early in the year, I already believed he had what it takes to compete at this level. The race didn’t really go as planned, but his jockey trusted the horse’s finishing kick. One of our goals now is the Preis der Deutschen Einheit at Hoppegarten. Petit Marin couldn’t pick up the pace at the end. Peace of Japan had an unlucky race, running in last place.”
Andreas Wöhler (Delgardo’s trainer): “He’s long deserved a win in this class. Delgardo has kept getting better and better up front. You just have to tip your hat to him. Hoppegarten is the next goal.”
Gregor Baum (owner of Soft Winds): “We’re delighted with another group-level placing for the mare. Unfortunately, Lazio applied pressure a little too early up front, causing Soft Winds to follow suit, but we’re very satisfied. She may now be headed for a Listed race in Hanover.”
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
