Image: Loucas; 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:
Loucas Fends Off International Competition in the 93rd Brunner–Oettingen Race
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, September 6, 2026 (MH) – It wasn’t exactly expected that the German national anthem would be played after the 93rd Brunner-Oettingen Race (Group II, 70,000 euros, 1,600 m). However, Loucas (4.8:1), owned by Manfred Ostermann’s Ittlingen Stud, followed up his 2025 triumph in the Ferdinand Leisten Memorial with another thoroughly convincing victory in this top mile race sponsored by the Rheinau-based furniture company. The winner’s trainer is Waldemar Hickst from Cologne, whose stable has been in tremendous form recently.
Leading from start to finish
Jockey Rene Piechulek guided the Best Solution colt—who had only performed poorly once in his career, in the Derby at a completely different distance—perfectly at the front of the pack. Time and again, the three-year-old stallion—who was also bred by his owner—was able to fend off the attacks of the favorite, Mandanaba, who pushed hard down the stretch but ultimately fell short by one and a quarter lengths against the 2,000 Guineas third-place finisher, who had most recently won a Listed race in Munich. The bonus for Loucas’s fourth career victory amounted to 40,000 euros.
As expected, Mandanaba ran well, even though she couldn't quite keep up with Loucas. The Englishman Ridari held on to third place, ahead of Nardos, who made an even stronger comeback from the back of the pack.
VOICES:
Rene Piechulek (Loucas's jockey): “He was very unlucky in the 2,000 Guineas. I had a lot of confidence in the horse. I let him gallop out in front and had a very good feeling about it, because he kept picking up speed.”
Waldemar Hickst (Loucas’s trainer): “I had mentioned that the horse hadn’t done anything wrong so far. Our only mistake was letting him run in the Derby. In Munich, he won with a lot of guts. That’s why I had a very high opinion of him today, and he fully lived up to it. Loucas is now entered in Group races in Cologne and Düsseldorf.”
Manfred Ostermann (owner of Loucas): “We’re all very happy. His form from the 2,000 Guineas has been greatly enhanced. Loucas could run in a Group III race in Cologne in three weeks or, a week later, in a 1,700-meter race in Düsseldorf; after that, Italy would be a possible destination.”
Clement Lecoeuvre (Mandanaba's jockey): “The mare ran very well again and gave it her all, but the winner also seems to be a top horse.”
Billy Loughnane (Ridari's jockey): “He ran well, even though it wasn't quite enough. There were two better horses ahead of him.”
Henk Grewe (trainer of Nardos and Aster): “Nardos was in great form and ran well. 1,400 meters would be ideal for him. Aster faced tougher competition than last time. She might be lacking that last bit of class.”
Quebueno, a speedy veteran
Even at the ripe old age of eight, Gestüt Paschberg’s Quebueno (3.8:1) seems to have lost none of his enthusiasm, as the gelding—ridden by Benjamin Marie for trainer Bohumil Nedorostek—secured a comfortable victory over Saint Valantin and Nordstar in a 2,000-meter race. “He had to carry a lot of weight, but the jockey and he make a great team,” the trainer said happily.
In the following Ausgleich II race over 1,800 meters, jockey Benjamin Marie, starting from the inside gate, prevailed aboard Zega Top (5.2:1), who had shown tremendous improvement under Christian Sprengel. The now three-time winner of the season finished ahead of Danilov and Kaviar.
The three-year-old filly Ashiana Queen (2.8:1), racing in the colors of Eckhard Sauren with Thore Hammer-Hansen in the saddle, showed great promise in a 2,200-meter race, fully living up to all expectations. The filly, trained by Waldemar Hickst in Cologne, had the most staying power against the strong debutants Vintage Donna and Blaze of Glory.
Another Goal for Fabian Xaver Weißmeier
Iffezheim-based trainer Fabian Xaver Weißmeier had a spectacular week full of superlatives. Riding the consistently placed Okiedokie (8.9)—which marked jockey Benjamin Marie’s third win of the day—the coach secured his fourth victory of the meet in a 1,800-meter handicap while racing under the colors of Stall H3 Racing. Tarzan al Gunay, Algabas, and Walking Grace rounded out the four-horse trifecta, which paid 10.3851:1 euros.
Benjamin Marie for the fourth time
Jockey Benjamin Marie had a day to remember, as he scored his fourth win of the day aboard Grande Gioia (7.2:1), trained by Jean-Pierre Carvalho, in a 2,400-meter Class III handicap race.
Even four-horse races can be exciting, as was evident in a 2,400-meter Class I handicap (25,000 m), in which Amico (3.1:1), trained by Henk Grewe and ridden by Thore Hammer-Hansen, edged out Why Limit late but surely.
The 2026 Grosse Woche ended with a sensation when Company Keeping, a 33.4:1 long shot trained by Frank Fuhrmann and ridden by Michaela Malacova, suddenly returned to top form in a 1,000-meter Class III handicap race. Since the final four-horse bet was not won, there will be a jackpot at the Sales & Racing Festival. Betting turnover for the ten races on Sunday totaled 1,237,636.92 euros.
Looking forward to the Sales & Racing Festival
The 2026 racing season finale in Iffezheim will feature the Sales & Racing Festival, two days of racing, and the BBAG Fall Auction from October 16 to 18, 2026.
Additional dates for the 2026 Baden Galopp horse racing events:
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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Mannheim Local Court: HRA 708774
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Company headquarters: Iffezheim
Mannheim Local Court: HRB 3821
Managing Director: Stephan Buchner
