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) - Electrifying finale in the second highest-paid race of the Great Week on Sunday at the racecourse in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim: With the narrowest conceivable lead, a nose, the 15:1 outsider Gracia, prepared by Andreas Suborics in Cologne for the owners' syndicate RB-/Rosenstein Racing, secured the winner's premium of 50.000 euros in the Iffezheim BBAG Auction Race 2024 over 1,200 meters on the straight track. Only the finish photo showed the wafer-thin advantage of the Mehmas daughter, ridden by Hugo Boutin, over the charging Auenquell Valley, who also stood very high at the gate. Gracia, who had recently finished third in the Cologne BBAG Auction Race, thus amortized her purchase price of 45,000 euros at the BBAG Yearling Auction.
Gracia did not tolerate any opponent in front of her from start to finish and snatched this highlight for two-year-old ladies. "I wasn't sure if we had won, but we had luck on our side," admitted Gracia's jockey Hugo Boutin. And trainer Andreas Suborics said: "Our plan worked perfectly. We were a bit worried about the rain during the night. The plan was to take the lead and go on the outside. In the end it was just enough."
Valley made up an enormous amount of ground and almost made it. "Of course it's bitter to lose by such a narrow margin. But the mare ran brilliantly, especially as she climbed into the starting gate and came off badly. That could have cost her the win," said her handler Sascha Smrczek. Ice Baby also did very well in third place. Coach Sarah Steinberg: "She had a nice moment at the end. I'm very pleased, especially as the starting order was relatively tight." Lady Sahara also ran the expected good race in fourth. Early on the retreat was the favorite Royal Spirit.
Gracia's trainer Andreas Suborics went one better with the track specialist Felippo (7.8:1) in a level III over 2,200 meters when Michaela Malacova narrowly edged out Ashianas King, who was always in the lead. Gazeuse and Jacksun completed the foursome, which paid 2,033.1:1 euros.
Hammer-Hansen again and again
The event, which featured a total of eleven tests, began with another goal for jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen, who guided Stall Ramon's Thunderheart (6.5:1) to an unchallenged victory over local hero Kanzashi in a 1,500 meter test for Düsseldorf trainer Sascha Smrczek.
Free beer a very popular winner
A very popular winner was of course Freibier (5.7:1) from the Munich stables of Michael Figge in a race for the Mehl-Mülhens-Stiftung's young talent promotion prize (level IV, 1,800 m), who countered all attacks from the front by the favorite Quiara. In the saddle, 18-year-old Julian Sixt, who had already scored his first career win on Freibier, who belongs to the 14-strong owner community of the O'zapt is! stable, excelled. "Our horse showed great fighting spirit. And Julian has also improved a lot, he is in his second year of training," reported Michael Figge.
As a father and daughter team, Mario Hofer and Stefanie Koyuncu were on the winning track in a 1,000 meter equalizer III, when Favorite Crime (6:1) narrowly held the two Dutch guests Royal Emerther and Tatsthewaytodoit at bay.
Birthday present for Gordan Batistic
There could not have been a more fitting birthday present for Iffezheim trainer Gordan Batistic. On his 50th birthday, Tashbeeh (4.6:1) and Adrie de Vries won a 1,200 meter level II against Shootout and Rogue Spirit.
In another four-horse race (level IV, 2,400 m), young Konstantin Phillip brought home Almenkönig (3.5:1), sent out by Andreas Wöhler, as an easy winner ahead of Mascani, Aito and Lollipop. The four-horse bet paid 30,097.9:1 euros.
The fact that a five-horse race can also be very exciting was proven in the final test, when Stall Salzburg's Anonymous (3.1:1) from Sarah Steinberg's successful Munich stable under Rene Piechulek came up trumps against Lathraea.
Betting turnover in the eleven races amounted to EUR 644,226.66. That is an increase of around 9 percent compared to 2023.
Third race day on Wednesday
The Great Week will continue on Wednesday, August 28, with an expected ten races around the 151st Renate and Albrecht Woeste - Future Race (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
----------
Andre Lott
Press contact
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
