Image: Flatten the Curve; 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:
The King of the Steep Chases Is Back: "Flatten the Curve" Keeps Winning
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, August 29, 2026 (MH) – Germany’s king of stayers is back: Flatten the Curve, the superb gelding trained by Henk Grewe for Eckhard Sauren (who was attending the 1. FC Köln vs. Hoffenheim game at the same time), wasn’t even slowed down by a break since April. The seven-year-old son of Zarak—who has even enjoyed success in the U.S. and raced in the world-famous Melbourne Cup—made a convincing comeback under Thore Hammer-Hansen (his second win of the day) in the Stall Siepenblick 2.8 – Steher Cup (Listed race, 30,000 euros, 2,800 m). It was his tenth victory in his 44th start. With the 18,000 euros he earned here, he increased his career earnings to 671,883 euros.
Riding Flattten the Curve, Hammer-Hansen did only what was absolutely necessary to hold second place behind Fährhofer Queimados, who hadn’t raced in over a year. After a slow race, the 2.1:1 favorite took the lead midway down the stretch and didn’t give his opponents a chance in this race sponsored by breeder and owner Lothar Grabe. The judges’ verdict—“easy, half a length”—accurately reflects how the race unfolded.
"I've traveled halfway around the world with him"
“I owe a great deal to this horse, and I’ve traveled halfway around the world with him. Flatten the Curve is a real fighter. He wasn’t quite at 100 percent today; I just guided him with my hands,” said Thore Hammer-Hansen.
Dubai in the winter?
Trainer Henk Grewe added: “An incredible horse with a huge heart. Flattten the Curve had inflammation in his carpal joint and therefore had to take a break. He now has many options, including racing in Dubai this winter.”
The French horse Highara finished a strong second. “We wanted to earn Black Type with her, and it worked out. She finished strongly,” commented jockey Benjamin Marie. Queimados held the lead for a very long time and ran exceptionally well after the break to finish third. “We’re very happy. He just lacked that final bit of speed at the end,” said racing manager Simon Stokes. Anspruch likely lived up to his potential by finishing fourth, while Narrativo was somewhat disappointing in last place, even though the margins were very tight across the board.
Klaudius scores the equalizer for Martin Kronimus in the first half
What a celebration after the Ausgleich I (20,000 euros, 2,000 m): Klaudius, a five-year-old gelding owned by Iffezheim businessman Martin Kronimus—who, through his company, has been one of the racetrack’s biggest supporters for decades and also serves as vice president of the racetrack’s support association—secured a well-deserved victory. Ridden by Michael Cadeddu, the 3.9:1 favorite—trained by Dr. Andreas Bolte in Lengerich—easily held off the mare Galene and Royal Spirit.
“Klaudius has consistently placed in the money lately. It’s something very special to win here in Iffezheim for the owner,” Michael Cadeddu said.
Champions Take the Lead Right from the Start
The team of champions—trainer Henk Grewe and jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen—didn’t miss out on the opening race for 2-year-olds over 1,400 meters—with Gipsy Princess (4.7:1). The co-favorite narrowly edged out the rookie Karlos, with her racing experience likely paying off. “That certainly helped. Maybe we’ll now set our sights on a sales race in France,” Grewe reported. The favorite, Mystical, was very unlucky to finish third, as his jockey, Benjamin Marie, lost his stirrups at the start.
The first big surprise of the meet was the victory by Wonderful World, from Jutta Mayer’s Munich stable, at odds of 14.5:1 in a 1,000-meter handicap against local favorite Favorite Crime and Tommorah. Jockey Patrick Gibson is currently on a roll.
Vallando Secures Iffezheim's First Home Win
The eight-year-old veteran Vallando (13.2:1)—who used to compete in Group races—secured the first home victory for the Iffezheim training center. The 4 Guys stable and trainer Fabian Xaver Weißmeier had reason to celebrate, as Vallando left Keep Smiling, the favorite Lune d’Aure, and Padme in the dust in a 2,000-meter Class III handicap race. The four-horse exacta paid 8,790.7:1 euros. Total betting turnover for the eight races amounted to 689,459.29 euros.
Next race day is Sunday
The "Grosse Woche" continues tomorrow, Sunday, with the race for the 156th Casino Baden-Baden Goldene Peitsche (Group III, 55,000 euros, 1,200 m). The first race starts at 11:14 a.m. (the gates open at 10 a.m.).
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
