Image: Kämpfer; www.marcruehl.com / Use of the image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
Press release
Big Week from August 30 - September 07, 2025 in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim:
Fighter - the name says it all!
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, August 30, 2025 (MH) - Horse names can point the way: Kämpfer (odds 4:1), a four-year-old gelding from Sarah Steinberg's successful Munich stable, truly lived up to his name on Saturday, the opening day of the 2025 Grand Prix Week at the racecourse in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim. Both highlights of the day went to the Piechulek/Steinberg team.
In the Stall Siepenblick 2.8 - Steher Cup (Listed race, €25,000, 2,800 m), the highlight of the supporting program, the son of Protectionist, bred by Gestüt Röttgen, proved his great qualities. He continued his winning streak at his first attempt in this class, landing his fourth career win in only his fifth start. Rene Piechulek managed the turnaround on Kämpfer by half a length against Partnun, who moved to the front early in the straight, and Admiral Lips, who stormed up the inside. Elano, who had risen at the start, had to settle for fourth place.
"It was a huge step"
Breeder and owner Lothar Grabe, as sponsor of the test, had provided two honorary prizes to choose from, from which the six-strong Bayern Preußen Connection owners' association were able to select a prize. "It was a huge step, of course, and we've been very careful with him so far. We still don't know where his limits are. After all, he has never won easily," said Kämpfer's jockey Rene Piechulek.
Trainer Sarah Steinberg added: "He kept going, even though he was never superior ahead. Now we are heading for the WETTSTAR.de - St. Leger in Dortmund. The owners are a motley crew from Bavaria and NRW. They have given him a lot of time."
The runner-up Partnun stayed close to the winner for a long time. "She always runs well to the front," commented her handler Waldemar Hickst. Admiral Lips also sold well in third place. "We are satisfied, because it was his first start in this class," said trainer Eva Fabianova.
Chiefland a horse with a great future
Visitors were likely to have seen a very talented young galloper in the opening two-year-old test over 1,400 meters. Chiefland, who was prepared by Henk Grewe in Cologne, brilliantly lived up to his role as the 1.7:1 favorite in his debut under Leon Wolff. He easily relegated Schlenderhan's Shejtan and Spezialist to second place.
"He was still a bit immature, but he should have learned a lot from the start," reported Leon Wolff. The owner of the 50,000 euro BBAG purchase is Liberty Racing 2024 Gold. "Chiefland had done very well on Monday, so we started with a lot of optimism," admitted syndicate manager Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten. "We will take our time to discuss the further route. In any case, he is a horse for the classic route next year."
Mandy's Girl seems to become a specialist for meeting tracks, because after her success in Hamburg, the mare trained by Frank Fuhrmann in Möser also put herself in the limelight in a 1,000 meter handicap in Iffezheim as a 13.2:1 outsider with Concetto Santangelo.
Surprise in the first four-way bet
The first race ended with a surprise in the four-horse race, a 2,000-meter level IV, when Oui no si (11.3:1), entered by Jutta Mayer from Munich, was in front for the first time at the tenth start under Rene Piechulek. Adios Amor, Santino Corleone and Let him run free completed the four-horse bet, which brought 31,758.4:1 euros.
Again and again Sommersby
Stall Chronos Sommersby (3.3:1) also continued his magnificent series in a 1,600 meter equalization I, when the gelding prepared by Andreas Wöhler triumphed with Eduardo Pedroza in the equalization I over 1,600 meters ahead of Kronimus and Montanus, owned by Martin Kronimus.
Derby winner Nina Baltromei proved her nerves of steel in the final 1600 meter equalizer III when she guided Gestüt Park Wiedingen's Dragon Magic (2.2:1) for trainer Yasmin Almenräder from last place to victory against Quiara, Elli Pirelli and Night Star. It was the second victory this year for the stallion 2025, who was ridden by her, in Iffezheim.
The betting turnover in the eight competitions on Saturday amounted to 652,188.93 euros.
Next race day on Sunday
The Great Week continues tomorrow, Sunday, with ten races starting at 11:14 a.m. around the 155th Casino Baden-Baden Goldene Peitsche (Group III, 70,000 euros, 1,200 m), Germany's most important short-distance race.
Dates of race events Baden Galopp 2025
Big week:
Saturday, August 30
Sunday, August 31
Wednesday, September 3
Saturday, September 6
Sunday, September 7
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 17
Sunday, October 19
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Andre Lott
Press contact
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
www.badengalopp.de
