Image: Fantastic Moon; 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:
"Moonrise" by outstanding Fantastic Moon in the WETTSTAR.de - 154th Grand Prix of Baden
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, September 1, 2024 (MH) – “Mondaufgang” on Sunday afternoon marked the finale of the 2024 Grosse Woche in front of 16,900 spectators amid midsummer temperatures at the racetrack in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim: Following victories in the 2023 and 2024 Derbies, the large ownership syndicate of Liberty Racing led by Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten also triumphed in the WETTSTAR.de – 154th Baden Grand Prix (Group I, 300,000 euros, 2,400 m), as Fantastic Moon, the 2023 Derby hero, impressed with a very comfortable victory in this highlight event, once again sponsored by Germany’s leading horse betting broker.
Ridden by his regular jockey, Rene Piechulek, the 3.1:1 co-favorite sprinted down the outside rail for Munich-based trainer Sarah Steinberg (Rene Piechulek’s partner) and Liberty Racing 2021, winning by one and a quarter lengths to claim the 165,000-euro prize. It was the seventh victory in 13 starts for Fantastic Moon, a Sea The Moon son bred by Count and Countess von Stauffenberg, who had already demonstrated his class most recently as the winner of the WETTSTAR.de Grand Prix in Cologne and runner-up in the Dallmayr Grand Prix in Munich. The Steinberg/Piechulek team had already won this race in 2022 with Mendocino. Rene Piechulek also led Torquator Tasso to victory in Iffezheim’s most prestigious race in 2021.
Dubai Honour, the top favorite who had traveled from England and had won nearly 4 million euros in prize money, ran a strong race as expected, finishing second, but was unable to hold off Fantastic Moon early on. Narrativo put up a strong fight against the mare Spanish Eyes for third place. Mr. Hollywood and Tünnes were soon out of contention.
Live Broadcast to Hong Kong & Part of the World Pool
Once again, the main event (along with four other races that day) was part of the World Pool, managed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with its millions in wagers, and was also broadcast to Hong Kong.
VOICES:
Rene Piechulek (jockey of Fantastic Moon): “There was a lot of pressure, but Fantastic Moon settled in well early on and then showed his speed. I’m speechless. He’s certainly one of the best horses in this country in recent years, because he’s demonstrated his class from age two through four and isn’t getting any worse.”
Sarah Steinberg (trainer of Fantastic Moon): “This horse is just so strong. It’s a very emotional experience for us. I was so happy when Rene rode him calmly from the back; it was a great feeling to win here.”
Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten (manager and co-owner of Fantastic Moon): “We have the number one horse in Germany. I was determined to win this race alongside the Derby. It’s another childhood dream come true, like so many others in recent years. Rene rode a magnificent race on the outside track. Fantastic Moon is entered in the Arc and the Arc Sale.”
Tom Marquand (jockey of Dubai Honour): “We got into a good position pretty quickly. He looked around a bit up front, but he ran well even in second place.”
Manfred Ostermann (owner of Narrativo): “That wasn’t a good ride. He made his move on the backstretch way too early; that may have cost us a better finish.”
Henk Grewe (Mr. Hollywood's trainer): "He ran well. That was the best he could do."
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
