Image: Fantastic Moon; www.marcruehl.com / The use of the image is free of charge in connection with the coverage of 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 01, 2024 (MH) - "Moonrise" on Sunday afternoon for the finale of the 2024 Grand Prix in front of 16,900 spectators in midsummer temperatures at the racecourse in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim: After the successes in the 2023 and 2024 Derby, the many-headed owner community of Liberty Racing around Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten also triumphed in the WETTSTAR.de - 154th Grand Prix of Baden (Group I, €300,000, 2,400 m), as Fantastic Moon, the Derby hero of 2023, impressed with a very easy victory in this highlight sponsored once again by the most important horse betting broker in Germany.
Under his regular jockey Rene Piechulek, the 3.1:1 co-favorite spurted to a one and a quarter length advantage in the outer lane for Munich-based trainer Sarah Steinberg (Rene Piechulek's partner) and Liberty Racing 2021 to win with a purse of €165,000. It was the seventh win at the 13th start for Fantastic Moon, a Sea The Moon son bred by Count and Countess von Stauffenberg, who had recently demonstrated his class as 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 guided Torquator Tasso to success in Iffezheim's most important race in 2021.
Dubai Honour, the top favorite from England and winner of almost 4 million euros in prize money, ran the expected good race in second place, but was unable to counter Fantastic Moon early on. Narrativo fought hard for third place against the mare Spanish Eyes. Mr Hollywood and Tünnes soon had no chance.
Live broadcast to Hong Kong & part of the World Pool
Once again, the top event (as well as four other races on the day) was part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club-managed World Pool with its millions of bets and was also broadcast to Hong Kong.
VOTES:
Rene Piechulek (jockey of Fantastic Moon): "There was a lot of pressure, but Fantastic Moon switched off well early on and then showed his speed. I am speechless. He is certainly one of the best horses in this country in recent years, because he has now shown his class as a two to four-year-old and is not getting any worse."
Sarah Steinberg (trainer of Fantastic Moon): "This horse is just so strong. It's a very emotional affair for us. I was very happy when Rene relaxed with him in the back, it was a great thing to win here."
Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten (manager and co-owner of Fantastic Moon): "We are number one in Germany. I really wanted to win this race alongside the Derby. Another childhood dream has come true, like so many in recent years. Rene put in a terrific ride in the outside lane. Fantastic Moon has a nomination for the Arc and the Arc Sale."
Tom Marquand (jockey of Dubai Honour): "We soon got into a good position. He looked a bit in front, but he also ran well in second."
Manfred Ostermann (owner of Narrativo): "That was not a good ride. He attacked far too early on the far side, which may have cost him a better placing."
Henk Grewe (trainer of Mr Hollywood): "He ran well. That was the best he could do."
Dates racing events Baden Galopp 2024
Big week:
Saturday, 24 August
Sunday, August 25
Wednesday, August 28
Saturday, August 31
Sunday, 01 September
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 18
Sunday, October 20
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Andre Lott
Contact Press
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
