PRESS RELEASE
Defending champion Mendocino, Derby hero Sammarco and many other top gallopers named for the 153rd Grand Prix of Baden - prize money of 400,000 euros!
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, May 03, 2023 (MH) - A quantum leap for the top highlight of 2023 at Baden-Baden-Iffezheim racecourse: The 153rd Grand Prix of Baden on September 03, 2023 will be endowed with 400,000 euros for the first time. The prize money in this Group I test over a distance of 2,400 meters, which is traditionally regarded as one of the most important preparatory races for the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe in Paris (in 2021, Torquator Tasso also achieved the mega-triumph in the world's most important race after his victory in Iffezheim), has been doubled. At the entry deadline, which was extended to yesterday (Tuesday, May 3rd), 46 horses were entered.
The search is on for the successor to Mendocino, who defeated the hot favorite and defending champion Torquator Tasso in a memorable final in the 152nd WETTSTAR.de Grosser Preis von Baden in 2022. Baden Galopp is hoping that the huge increase in prize money will increase the number of starters and make the race more attractive to sponsors and the media.
Of course, all the horses who are big names on the German turf scene will be taking part. Like last year's winner Mendocino, who is being prepared by Munich trainer Sarah Steinberg for the Salzburg stable of Freilassing-based Schlafmöbel entrepreneur Hans-Gerd Wernicke. Cologne's top coach Peter Schiergen is very strongly represented with derby winner and Dallmayr Prize winner Sammarco for Helmut von Finck's Park Wiedingen stud and Tünnes, the half-brother of Torquator Tasso, who won the St. Leger and the Bavarian Grand Prix in 2022, among others. Tünnes is owned by Holger Renz, an ambulance entrepreneur living in Cologne and Baden-Baden.
The current star galloper Assistent, who impressed in the Carl Jaspers Prize in Cologne, will of course also be taking part. He is owned by Eckhard Sauren and the Liberty Racing 2020 owners' association. Stall Nizzas Alter Adler from the Cologne quarters of Waldemar Hickst won the Grand Prix of the Baden Economy in 2022. Gestüt Röttgen and trainer Markus Klug have a top mare in their line-up with the Henkel - Preis der Diana runner-up Wagnis. Gestüt Auenquelle's Vintage Moon is still known from his lucrative win in the Ferdinand Leisten-Memorial. Sisfahan, the 2021 Derby winner, is also under order and will represent Germany on Dubai World Cup Day on March 25.
World's leading Godolphin stable represented by many aces
Ten candidates from Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed's world-leading Godolphin stable have been offered a commitment for the Iffezheim highlight, including Rebel's Romance, who won two Group I races in Germany in 2022 with the Westminster 132nd Grand Prix of Berlin and the 60th Prize of Europe, as well as the Breeders' Cup Turf in the USA. Yibir, who was also named, also won the top American event in 2021. Godolphin's Hurricane Lane also has a very good reputation, having won the St. Leger in England and the Irish Derby, among others. From abroad, 26 horses from England, France and Ireland were entered. Ireland's Joseph Patrick O' Brien is represented with seven candidates.
Iffezheim hopes also in the game
Iffezheim's hopes rest on a duo from Carmen Bocskai's stable - Stable Cimbas Utamaro, who secured a big handicap at the Arc weekend in Paris, and the three-year-old mare Elle, who won the BBAG Auction Race in Dortmund for Gabriele Gaul. Also well known in Iffezheim is the three-year-old mare Quantanamera, who gave a gala performance for owner Jürgen Sartori and trainer Andreas Suborics in the BBAG Preis der Winterkönigin.
The Grand Prix of Baden is the highlight of the five days of racing from August 26 to September 3, 2023.
Stephan Buchner, Managing Partner of Baden Galopp: "We are already looking forward to September 3rd, when the 153rd Grand Prix of Baden will be one of the sporting highlights in European horse racing. Of course, we are a little disappointed with the entry result, but as always, the final tally will be taken at the end. Perhaps there will still be one or two late entries."
Dates of race events Baden Galopp 2023:
Spring Meeting:
Thursday, May 18 (Ascension Day)
Saturday, May 20
Sunday, May 21
Big week:
Saturday, August 26
Sunday, August 27
Wednesday, August 30
Saturday, September 2
Sunday, September 3
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 13
Sunday, October 15
