Image: Gracia; 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:
Big payday for Gracia after electrifying finale in the Iffezheim BBAG Auction Race 2024
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, August 25, 2024 (MH) – A thrilling finale in the second-highest-prized race of the “Grosse Woche” on Sunday at the racetrack in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim: By the narrowest margin imaginable—a nose—Gracia, the 15-to-1 longshot trained by Andreas Suborics in Cologne for the RB-/Rosenstein Racing ownership syndicate, secured the 50,000-euro prize money in the 2024 Iffezheim BBAG Auction Race over 1,200 meters on the straight track. It was only the photo finish that revealed the razor-thin advantage of the Mehmas daughter, ridden by Hugo Boutin, over the charging Auenquell-bred Valley, who was also a heavy favorite in the betting. With this win, Gracia—who had most recently finished third in the Cologne BBAG Auction Race—recouped her purchase price of 45,000 euros at the BBAG Yearling Auction.
From start to finish, Gracia didn’t let any opponent get ahead of her and claimed this highlight for two-year-old fillies. “I wasn’t sure if we’d won, but luck was on our side,” admitted Gracia’s jockey, Hugo Boutin. And trainer Andreas Suborics explained: “Our plan worked out perfectly. We were a little worried about the rain that fell overnight. The plan was to take the lead and run on the outside. In the end, it was just enough.”
Valley made up a tremendous amount of ground and almost pulled it off. “Of course, it’s tough to lose by such a narrow margin. But the mare ran a fantastic race, especially considering she got stuck in the starting gate and had a poor break. That might have cost her the win,” her trainer, Sascha Smrczek, suggested. Ice Baby also performed very well, finishing third. Trainer Sarah Steinberg said: “She had a great moment at the end. I’m very satisfied, especially since the field was relatively tight.” Lady Sahara also ran the strong race expected of her, finishing fourth. The favorite, Royal Spirit, fell back early on.
Gracias trainer Andreas Suborics followed that up with another win in a Class III race over 2,200 meters with track specialist Felippo (7.8:1), as Michaela Malacova narrowly edged out Ashianas King, who had led from start to finish. Gazeuse and Jacksun rounded out the four-horse trifecta, which paid 2,033.1:1 euros.
Hammer-Hansen, time and time again
The event, which featured a total of eleven races, began with another victory for jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen, who rode Stall Ramon’s Thunderheart (6.5:1) to an unchallenged win in a 1,500-meter race for Düsseldorf-based trainer Sascha Smrczek, defeating local favorite Kanzashi.
Free beer: a very popular winner
A very popular winner was, of course, Freibier (5.7:1) from Michael Figge’s Munich-based stable in a race for the Mehl-Mülhens Foundation’s Young Talent Award (Class IV, 1,800 m), who, leading from the front, fended off all challenges from the favorite, Quiara. In the saddle, 18-year-old Julian Sixt stood out; he had already scored his first career victory on Freibier, who is owned by the 14-member ownership group of the O’zapt is! stable. “Our horse showed great fighting spirit. And Julian has also improved tremendously—he’s in his second year of apprenticeship,” reported Michael Figge.
As a father-daughter duo, Mario Hofer and Stefanie Koyuncu were on track for victory in a 1,000-meter Class III race when Favorite Crime (6:1) narrowly held off the two Dutch contenders, Royal Emerther and Tatsthewaytodoit.
Birthday Gift for Gordan Batistic
There couldn't have been a more fitting birthday gift for Iffezheim trainer Gordan Batistic. On his 50th birthday, Tashbeeh (4.6:1), ridden by Adrie de Vries, won a 1,200-meter Class II race against Shootout and Rogue Spirit.
In another four-horse race (Class IV, 2,400 m), the young Konstantin Phillip rode Almenkönig (3.5:1), trained by Andreas Wöhler, to an easy victory ahead of Mascani, Aito, and Lollipop. The four-horse bet paid out 30,097.9:1 euros.
The fact that even a five-horse race can be very exciting was proven in the final race, when Stall Salzburg’s Anonymous (3.1:1)—from Sarah Steinberg’s successful Munich stable and ridden by Rene Piechulek—narrowly edged out Lathraea.
Betting turnover for the eleven races totaled 644,226.66 euros. That represents an increase of about 9 percent compared to 2023.
Third day of racing on Wednesday
The "Grosse Woche" continues on Wednesday, August 28, with an expected ten races centered around the 151st Renate and Albrecht Woeste – Zukunfts-Rennen (Group III, 55,000 euros, 1,400 m).
Tickets are available for all areas via the website www.badengalopp.de
Dates of race events Baden Galopp 2024
Big week:
Saturday, August 24
Sunday, August 25
Wednesday, August 28
Saturday, August 31
Sunday, September 01
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
