Press release
Image: Ruby Lips; www.marcruehl.com / Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
Ruby Lips Caps Off Eva Favianova's Stellar Form in the Baden-Baden Hotel and Restaurant Industry Stakes
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, June 4, 2026 (MH) – A result in keeping with expectations in the first highlight of the 2026 Spring Meeting on Corpus Christi Thursday at the racetrack in Baden-Baden-Iffezheim: The four-year-old mare Ruby Lips (4.1:1), trained by Hoppegarten-based trainer Eva Fabianova—who is currently in top form—for the Germanius racing stable, won the Baden-Baden Hotel and Restaurant Industry Prize, worth 21,000 euros in prize money, against the equally heavily backed Innora after a perfect ride by Rene Piechulek. This Listed race over 2,200 meters, with a purse of 35,000 euros, once again highlighted the close connection between the racetrack and the hospitality industry of the spa town.
A Perfect Race
Starting from gate one, Ruby Lips immediately secured a favorable position in the front-running group, which was led by the English filly Lady Vivian. And on the home stretch, Piechulek held on tenaciously to a half-length lead with the Highland Reel daughter bred by the Parthenaue stable.
“We had an ideal lead horse and were able to let her pull us along for a long time. Ruby Lips has a great attitude and strong fighting spirit,” explained Rene Piechulek. Mario Meisner from the Germanius racing stable said (speaking on behalf of trainer Eva Fabianova, who was not present): “Ruby Lips was in great form. I just wasn’t entirely sure if she would handle the track. Rene rode her perfectly. We might now take her to a Group race in France.”
Innora ran a strong race, finishing second as expected. “We actually wanted to take the lead, but the pace was very fast; the jockey did everything right and positioned her behind the visiting mare from England. It’s a shame it wasn’t quite enough. We’ll now try our luck over a much longer distance,” commented trainer Henk Grewe. The longshot Princess Valentina held on very strongly to finish third, despite having no clear path for a long time. “Unfortunately, she’s something of the unlucky one of the year,” said co-owner and breeder David Schön. Lady Vivian, who led early on, stayed in contention for a long time to finish fourth.
Fabianova scores early on
The first race day of 2026 in Iffezheim began with a bitter disappointment for the favorites in a 2,000-meter race, as Starlight Lips faded early, while Lune d’Aure (4.2:1), ridden by Rene Piechulek, narrowly caught the longshot Absacker, who had already pulled away.
Sayidah Toronado, the 2.3-to-1 favorite trained by Andreas Wöhler in Spexard for Dubai-based owner Jaber Abdullah and ridden by Eduardo Pedroza, had no trouble at all in a 1,600-meter race against local hero Endorphin and Wings of Glory. “She’ll keep getting better,” believes winning trainer Andreas Wöhler. Unfortunately, there was an incident here on the home stretch when Power Prince went down. While jockey Bertrand Flandrin was back on his feet right away, the stallion could not be saved after sustaining an injury.
Collective jubilation at the Galopp Club Süddeutschland following Iffezheim's first home victory
It was a close finish on the winner’s podium in a 1,800-meter Handicap I race, as the Galopp Club Süddeutschland is the owner of the winning mare Adelaide (4:1), who, under jockey Benjamin Marie, also held off a strong late charge from Limbo Dancer. This marked the first home victory for the Iffezheim training center at the Spring Meeting—Karoly Kerekes is Adelaide’s trainer. Samarkand and Ireland Alexander completed the exacta, which paid 1,172.6:1 euros. Morindoo, ridden by substitute jockey Esentur Turganaaly Uulu, was thrown early on, but the incident ended without serious injury.
Hammer-Hansen with a quick double
The odds were even higher in the next four-way bet, when Dortmunder (6.4:1, T. Hammer-Hansen/U. Schwinn) scored a well-deserved goal ahead of Zakaria, Alsebaran, and Dickson. The four-way bet paid out 2,877.8:1 euros.
Thore Hammer-Hansen followed that up immediately in the 2,200-meter Handicap II with the longshot Macun (13.1:1) for trainer Dominik Moser, holding off Ace of Spades and Danylov.
Tiffany Twisted (6.2:1), trained by Frank Fuhrmann in Möser near Magdeburg, demonstrated her fantastic form by securing her third consecutive victory with Martin Seidl in the final 1,200-meter Handicap III race.
High betting turnover
Betting turnover for the nine races on Thursday totaled 836,436.12 euros. This represents a significant increase over the previous year, when the nine races generated 608,829.26 euros.
Derby match on Saturday
The spring meeting continues on Saturday, June 6, 2026, with eight races centered around the Japan Racing Association Derby Trial (Group III, €55,000, 2,000 m). The first race starts at 1:30 p.m. (gates open at 12:00 p.m.).
Tickets for all areas are available via the website www.badengalopp.de.
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Andre Lott
Press contact
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
www.badengalopp.de
Spring Meeting:
Thursday, June 4
Saturday, June 6
Sunday, June 7
Big week:
Saturday, August 29
Sunday, August 30
Tuesday, September 1
Saturday, September 5
Sunday, September 6
Sales & Racing Festival:
Friday, October 16
Sunday, October 18
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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
