Image: Four Seasons; 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:
Image: Four Seasons; www.marcruehl.com / Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
Four Seasons Impresses – A Sensation from Atlantic Ways
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, September 1, 2026 (MH) – Four Seasons, bred by Gestüt Etzean, had once cost 52,000 euros at the BBAG auction, and this money—which Michael Becher’s Stall Hanse invested in the son of Japan—appears to have been more than well spent. The three-year-old scored an impressive victory on “After Work Tuesday” (day three of the “Grosse Woche”) at the racetrack in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim in the 2026 BBAG Yearling Auction Stakes (52,000 euros, 2,400 m). With the 25,000 euros he earned here, he increased his total winnings to 43,250 euros—and there’s certainly likely to be more to come.
Under jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, the 4:1 co-favorite pulled away comfortably down the stretch from the underdogs Edlington and Abacus (manager Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten: “He lived up to our expectations; that was a very good performance”) as well as local hero Yacomo (trainer Fabian-Xaver Weißmeier: “Maybe the 2,400 meters were a bit too long for him”). The four-horse wager paid out at 1,720.9:1 euros. “Four Seasons needed some time to get there, and now he’s repaying us for that. He’s a real stayer,” explained winning trainer Peter Schiergen.
Everyone was surprised by the huge odds
As the biggest longshot, Atlantic Ways—trained by Matthias Keller in Blieskastel for Peach Mountain Racing (a partnership between the trainer and Carsten Biedermann)—entered the Coolmore Stud Baden-Baden Cup (Listed race, 30,000 euros, 1,400 m). But odds of 70.3:1 did not prevent the five-year-old mare, bred in Ireland, from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent years at Iffezheim.
With a powerful late surge, jockey Martin Seidl—who seems to be on a roll right now—rode Atlantic Ways, who had returned to Germany after four months with trainer Gerald Mosse in France, to edge past the Polish horse Bint New Bay—who was thought to be safely in the lead—and the strong-finishing English horse Queen’s Reign by a neck. Lady Evi also put in a strong performance to finish fourth, while the favorite, Demah, had already squandered her chances with a poor start.
Jockey Martin Seidl: “Atlantic Ways was ranked very high in the Toto because she had been severely underestimated. She had put in some good performances in France, and starting from gate two, we had an ideal race. Gerald Mosse had also said that she was better than her recent form suggested.”
Trainer Matthias Keller, who celebrated his greatest triumph on the flat track, added: “We had her with Gerald Mosse for four months so we wouldn’t have to put her through the grueling trips to France. We had hoped to perhaps finish among the top five horses. Because we knew she was capable of more than her Valeur score suggested. The fact that she won is, of course, fantastic. We plan to use her for breeding at the end of the year.”
Shejtan: A Horse with a Bright Future
One horse to keep an eye on is the Schlenderhan-bred 3-year-old Sheitan, who, under jockey Benjamin Marie, won the opening 2,000-meter Ausgleich II race with complete ease over Lucky Shawna and Garvey, securing his third victory in just his fourth start. The 2.1:1 favorite fully lived up to expectations and secured trainer Peter Schiergen’s first victory at the “Grosse Woche,” which was later followed by a win with Four Seasons.
Three Wins for Iffezheim
Iffezheim trainer Fabian Xaveer Weißmeier celebrated a fantastic milestone in a 2,000-meter race, as SLR Racing’s Luna (5.6:1), ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, secured the coach’s 100th career victory!
Weißmeier’s colleague from Iffezheim, Manfred Weber, also scored a big win—in a 1,600-meter handicap race, with Gestüt Görlsdorf’s Quemoona (7.8:1), who, with Martin Seidl riding as if unleashed, edged past Age of Aquarius by the narrowest of margins.
But that's not all. Trainer Gordan Batistic also stood on the winner's podium, as his new addition, Oasis Diamond (9.4:1), pulled away from the competition from start to finish in a 1,400-meter handicap race—his first start under Batistic's guidance for HJ Racing Team. Champion Thore Hammer-Hansen had paced the race perfectly.
Betting turnover for the nine races totaled 532,967.97 euros, a significant increase compared to 2025.
In the fourth race, the horse Rex Carver suffered a ruptured aorta immediately after crossing the finish line and died instantly. He did not suffer any further pain. In the seventh race, Buckleupbuttercup sustained a broken pastern and, unfortunately, could not be saved. Baden Galopp deeply regrets these accidents and extends its sympathies to all those affected.
Next race day on Saturday
The "Grosse Woche" continues on Saturday with the fourth day of racing. This is Ladies’ Day, centered around the T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis (Group II, 70,000 euros, 2,400 m). The first race starts at 1:30 p.m. (gates open at 12:00 p.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
