Press release
Image: Impression of Iffezheim; www.marcruehl.com / Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
Spring Meeting featuring top-tier sports and many top-class horses
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, June 1, 2026 (MH) – The 2026 season opener at the Baden-Baden-Iffezheim racetrack, organized by Baden Galopp, is set to be another top-tier event. Prize money totaling approximately 627,000 euros (including breeder’s bonuses) will be awarded across the 27 races scheduled for the Spring Meeting. The sporting highlights include three Group and two Listed races. With three days of racing, the first meeting of the year at Germany’s number one premium racetrack will take place in its usual, compact format—on Thursday, June 4 (Corpus Christi), Saturday, June 6, and the grand finale on Sunday, June 7.
On Friday, June 5—a day without races—the BBAG (Baden-Baden Auction Company) will hold its spring auction, which will take place entirely online this time.
Here is an overview of the program highlights:
Thursday, June 4: 48th Kronimus Badener Meile (Group III, €55,000, 1,600 m):
The Meilenstars meet under the patronage of Kronimus, the Iffezheim-based concrete company that is one of the racetrack’s most loyal supporters. A total of 55,000 euros in prize money is up for grabs in this Group III race over 1,600 meters. In 2025, the French horse Short Final won the race.
New Emerald, the winner of the Kalkmann Spring Mile, could finish near the front again following his surprise victory in Düsseldorf. Next Mine performed well for owner Eckhard Sauren in France. The French horse Sir Tommy Cen, a horse that has improved significantly, adds an international touch to the field.
Baden-Baden Hotel and Restaurant Industry Prize (Listed race, €35,000, 2,200 m):
The close partnership between the Iffezheim Racetrack and the hotel and restaurant industry in Baden-Baden finds its sporting expression here. This is a Listed race for four-year-old and older fillies. Innora, the runner-up in the 2025 Henkel-Preis der Diana, will be competing.
Nine races will be held on opening day. The first race is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. The gates open at 12:00 p.m. There’s plenty in store for betting enthusiasts as well: Three four-horse accumulator bets will be offered, one of which features a guaranteed payout of 25,000 euros (including a jackpot of 7,991.10 euros). In addition, there is the V4 bet, also with a guaranteed payout of 25,000 euros (including a jackpot of 9,171.75 euros).
Saturday, June 6: Japan Racing Association – Derby Trial (Group III, €55,000, 2,000 m):
The Japan Racing Association is the partner of one of the most important preliminary races for the IDEE 157th German Derby on July 5 in Hamburg. In the Derby Trial, a Group III race over 2,000 meters with a purse of 55,000 euros, the winner is generally considered one of the top contenders for the Blue Ribbon. In 2025, victory went to France with Juwelier.
With Eckhard Sauren’s Lommi, the runner-up in the WETTSTAR.de – Bavarian Classic in Munich is expected to play a key role here. Yacomo, from Fabian Xaver’s stable in Iffezheim, adds a touch of local flavor.
Eight races will be held on the second day of the meet. The Baden Youth Prize (€15,000), the first race for two-year-olds, and a Handicap I (€20,000) are additional highlights. The first race starts at 1:30 p.m. The gates open at 12:00 p.m. Two four-horse accumulators and the V4 bet are scheduled, each with a guaranteed payout of 10,000 euros.
Sunday, June 7: Tattersalls Grand Prix (Group II, €70,000, 2,200 m):
A thrilling finale on the final day, as Grand Prix horses compete in the Tattersalls Grand Prix, sponsored by the English auction house Tattersalls. A purse of 70,000 euros is up for grabs in this Group II race over 2,200 meters, which was previously won in 2012 by the prodigious mare Danedream, a winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Derby hero Hochkönig is highly likely to make an appearance here. In his comeback at the Sauren Dachfonds Prize in Cologne, he finished fourth. Gestüt Ittlingen’s Alleno put in an impressive performance there and could also be in the field. Last year’s winner, Lordano—who most recently triumphed in the Oleander Race at Berlin-Hoppegarten—is another possible contender.
The resurgent Wilko is also a potential standout on the roster, which also includes a foreign guest, the Norwegian Ami de Vega.
Casino Baden-Baden Silver Whip (Listed race, €30,000, 1,200 m):
An important prep race for the Casino Baden-Baden Golden Whip, which is held during the Große Woche as Germany’s most prestigious short-distance race, is the Casino Baden-Baden Silver Whip (Listed race, €30,000) over 1,200 meters for sprinters. Kylian brought the race to England in 2025. Once again, well-known sprint stars such as Zerostress, War Bride, and Schützenzauber will be in the mix. The Iffezheim training center could also be represented by Scaletta, whom Gerald Geisler trains for Stall Klosters-Serneus, and Mister Sketch, whom Fabian Xaver Weißmeier prepares for Gentleman Racing.
Premiere of the QUINTETT Bet
Ten races are on the card for the meeting’s grand finale; since this is a premium race day, all races offer a purse of at least 15,000 euros. This includes a race for the Mehl-Mülhens Foundation’s Young Talent Award. The first race starts at 11:15 a.m. (gates open at 10 a.m.), as several races will also be broadcast to France. Of course, there are some particularly attractive betting options here. For the first time in Iffezheim, the new QUINTETT bet will also be offered, in which bettors must predict the first five horses in the correct order. The guaranteed payout is 25,000 euros (including a jackpot of 6,322.86 euros). In addition, two four-horse bets and the V4 bet are planned, each with a €10,000 guaranteed prize pool.
To the right and left of the green lawn
But there’s plenty of action off the green turf as well, across the racetrack’s expansive grounds. On Thursday, the Franz Brewery will once again be offering free beer. In addition, a fun-filled program awaits all children in the Kids’ Zone, along with the ever-popular mascot race—which will once again feature a kids’ betting contest as a special attraction for spectators.
On Thursday, after the final race, the beach area will turn into a party zone. With support from our partner “die neue Welle,” a well-known DJ will really get the crowd going.
Riding like a jockey for once – it's now possible for everyone on "Miss Iffi," the electric training racehorse acquired by Baden Galopp with the support of the T. von Zastrow Foundation. "Miss Iffi" is in action every race day, waiting for young jockeys.
Saturday will feature a special charity race. With the“Fuck Cancer Race,” Baden Galopp is supporting an initiative by Dana Diekmeier to aid cancer research. Dana Diekmeier will speak personally about the background of the initiative.
This Sunday marks the start of “The Golden Horse Amazon Series,” a new series of three races for female jockeys spanning multiple meetings. Please refer to the separate press release for more information.
There is also plenty to offer in terms of dining. Huber Event Service continues to handle on-site catering and the restaurant areas, while Peter and Maurice Schreck’s team is responsible for high-end catering at the Rizzi & Co. Fine Dining Club.
The band "Speedos" will provide the musical entertainment on Sunday.
2026 Baden Galopp Racing Schedule:
Spring Meeting:
Thursday, June 4
Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7
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
