Image: Feature: Baden-Baden-Iffezheim Racetrack; 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:
Approximately 1.5 million euros in prize money, six group races, and plenty of top thoroughbreds at the 2026 “Grosse Woche”
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, August 26, 2026 (MH) – The most important race meeting of 2026 at the Baden-Baden-Iffezheim racetrack will once again feature a series of top-tier races over five days of racing: During the 2026 “Grosse Woche,” running from Saturday, August 29, through Sunday, September 6, and presented by Baden Galopp, approximately 1.5 million euros in prize money (including breeder bonuses) will be awarded. Forty-six races are scheduled, including six Group races (one per day, with two on the final Sunday). Other highlights include three Listed races and two BBAG auction races. Of course, bettors will also get their money’s worth—with attractive pool guarantees in the top betting categories.
The schedule of race days is as follows: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday (a new evening race day), Saturday, Sunday. On Friday, September 5—a day without racing—Germany’s most important racehorse auction, the BBAG Yearling Auction, will take place. This is where tomorrow’s top horses will be offered for sale.
Here is an overview of the program highlights:
Saturday, August 29:
71. Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Prize (Group III, 55,000 euros, 2,000 m):
Now in its 71st edition, the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Stakes—which follows in the tradition of the Spreti Race—will be held as the first group race of the “Grosse Woche.” Thanks to the bank’s support, this race has long been a destination for many top thoroughbreds.
We are looking for the successor to the fan favorite Quest the Moon.
Trainer Peter Schiergen is pinning his hopes on Wilko, who could have a much easier time here than he did in the Grosses Dallmayr Prize. The horse is owned by Rolf Brunner’s Stall Helena (Rheinau). Last year’s third-place finisher, Petit Marin—who also took third place in 2023 and is competing here for the fourth time—is back in the field. Soft Winds, from Gestüt Brümmerhof, lost by only a hair in the Lotto Hamburg Grand Prix before putting in another strong performance in a Listed race at Hoppegarten. She could also play a key role here.
Stall Siepenblick 2.8 Steher Cup (Listed Race, 30,000 euros, 2,800 m):
The longest race of the “Grosse Woche,” at 2,800 meters, is the Stall Siepenblick 2.8 Steher Cup, held under the patronage of the racing stable owned by breeder and owner Lothar Grabe. Trainer Henk Grewe seems well-prepared with the “King of the Steher,” Flatten the Curve. With Narrativo, a Group winner for Gestüt Ittlingen is also in the lineup. The high-class Fährhofer Queimados, who hasn’t raced in a long time, also looks very interesting.
Eight races will be held on opening day, including a 20,000-euro Handicap I. The first race is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (gates open at 12:00 p.m.). Betting enthusiasts will get their money’s worth with two four-horse parlays. The guaranteed prize pools are 40,000 euros (including a jackpot of 15,310.30 euros) and 10,000 euros, respectively. There is also 10,000 euros to be won in the V4 bet.
Sunday, Aug. 30:
156th Casino Baden-Baden Golden Whip (Group III, 55,000 euros, 1,200 m):
Germany’s most prestigious short-distance race for the most coveted trophy—a gold-plated whip engraved with the names of all past winners in the race’s history—the 156th Casino Baden-Baden Golden Whip holds particular significance. As is customary, an international field of top sprinters will compete in the race, which is once again sponsored by the Baden-Baden Casino.
Once again, there are a number of highly intriguing contenders in the field, following last year’s victory by the English horse The Strikin Wiking. Wearing the same colors of Wathnan Racing—owned by the Emir of Qatar and a top-tier, globally active racing stable—trainer Hamad Al Jehani is now entering Holguin from England, who is in top form. Also hailing from the top tier is Afandy, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget from France, who is owned by Al Shaqab Racing—another successful stable of the Al Thani ruling family of Qatar. Rouget, one of the most successful French trainers of all time with over 7,000 wins, is retiring at the end of September and could celebrate what might be his final Group victory in Iffezheim.
In 2025, War Bride—trained by Yasmin Almenräder in Mülheim for Stall Mandarin—narrowly missed victory and is making another attempt. One of the standout performers in recent weeks has been Stall Turffighters’ Pershing, who has won two Listed races in a row.
2026 Iffezheim BBAG Auction Race (102,500 euros, 1,200 m):
A whopping 102,500 euros in prize money awaits the winner of the 2026 Iffezheim BBAG Auction Race, which is open to two-year-old fillies that were offered as yearlings at the Baden-Baden Auction Company. This makes it the second-highest-purse race of the Grosse Woche. Zauberflöte, the winner of the BBAG Badener Jugendpreis, could celebrate her next victory in Iffezheim.
Ten races are scheduled for the second day of the meet. Since several races will also be broadcast in France, the first race will start at 11:14 a.m. The gates open at 10 a.m. Three four-horse wagers are also planned for this day, each with a guaranteed prize pool of 10,000 euros. This amount is also available for the V4 wager.
Tuesday, September 1:
153rd Renate and Albrecht Woeste Future Race (Group III, 55,000 euros, 1,400 m):
Once again, Albrecht Woeste, Honorary President of Deutscher Galopp, is supporting the 153rd Renate and Albrecht Woeste FutureRace, one of the most important races for up-and-coming two-year-old racehorses. In 2025, the top-class Gostam triumphed. Owner Eckhard Sauren and trainer Henk Grewe are well represented here by Western, who made such an impressive debut in Munich. Bohumil Nedorostek’s Bozok, a horse with great potential, also won in Hanover. Several other contenders could also compete here.
Winner of the 2026 BBAG Yearling Auction (52,000 euros, 2,400 m):
Three days before Germany’s most important racehorse auction—the BBAG Yearling Auction on Friday—three-year-old contenders will compete in the 2026 BBAG Yearling Auction Stakes. With Derby runner-up Chiefland, as well as Fabian Xaver Weißmeier’s Yacomo, Abacus, and Four Seasons, several Derby runners could be in the mix.
Coolmore Stud Baden-Baden Cup (Listed race, 30,000 euros, 1,800 m):
Promising three-year-old and older fillies are setting their sights on the Coolmore Stud Baden-Baden Cup, which is once again sponsored by one of the world’s leading Irish breeding farms. The Brümmerhof Stud currently has three contenders—Ayada, Sea Emily Run, and Arborea—in what is likely to be a very international field.
Nine races are on the schedule for the third day of the meet. Once again, PMU will broadcast several races to approximately 13,000 betting outlets across France. The first race starts at 3:30 p.m. The gates open at 2:00 p.m. This is a new kind of after-work race day that extends into the evening. Two four-horse bets and the V4 bet are scheduled, each with a guaranteed prize pool of 10,000 euros.
Saturday, September 5:
T. von Zastrow Fillies’ Stakes (Group II, 70,000 euros, 2,400 m):
Once again under the patronage of the von Zastrow family is one of the top events for fillies and mares, the T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis. Running in the colors of last year’s winner, Egina (Park Wiedingen Stud), the five-time Group winner Santagada is, of course, a horse to watch. The former Diana runner-up, Innora, also boasts excellent pedigree. In addition, we could see a rematch of the Henkel – Preis der Diana, with several fillies from that classic race competing.
WACKENHUT Fillies Cup (Listed race, 30,000 euros, 1,800 m):
Once again, Ladies Day will feature another highlight for the female horses: the WACKENHUT Fillies Cup. An international field is shaping up for this event as well. Trainer Andreas Wöhler has already entered two contenders, Anatara and Sadora, along with their riders.
Nine races will be held on the fourth day of the meet. The first race starts at 1:30 p.m. The gates open at noon.
Sunday, Sept. 6:
WETTSTAR.de – 156th Baden Grand Prix (Group I, 300,000 euros, 2,400 m):
It is Germany’s premier Grand Prix race: 300,000 euros in prize money and plenty of prestige await in the most important race of the year in Iffezheim, the WETTSTAR.de – 156th Baden Grand Prix on the final Sunday, once again sponsored by Germany’s leading horse racing betting provider. Of course, we can look forward to seeing elite horses in action, especially since this race serves as a crucial test for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, the premier race on the global thoroughbred circuit. With Danedream and Torquator Tasso, two German Arc winners also feature on the list of past champions.
Numerous top horses from abroad were mentioned. Last year's winner, Goliath, could make the trip from France again. The English horse Dubai Honour, who has finished second the past two years, is also a possible contender.
A major attraction would be the planned appearance of Giavellotto, a globetrotter trained by Marco Botti in England, who defeated none other than the superstar mare Kalpana in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot—a horse who went on to win the King George and the Yorkshire Oaks. His earnings total of over 3.6 million euros also includes the 2024 Hong Kong Vase, in which he finished second a year later.
Bright Light Receives Top Recommendation
Bright Light, trained by Andreas Suborics in Cologne, delivered a very strong performance to finish second in the Westminster – Berlin Grand Prix. He finished just behind the English champion mare Tiffany, who is also well known in Baden-Baden as the winner of the 2024 T. von Zastrow Mare Prize, among other achievements.
The WETTSTAR.de – 156th Baden Grand Prix will once again be broadcast to Hong Kong and will be part of the World Pool, with its millions in revenue.
93rd Brunner-Oettingen Race (Group II, 70,000 euros, 1,600 m):
Long-distance racing stars will gather for the 93rd Brunner-Oettingen Race. Eckhard Sauren’s Next Mine—a true Group-class horse—has already been entered with jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen. Numerous visiting horses are still on the entry list.
Ten races (some of which will be accompanied by PMU betting) will be held on the final day. This includes a 25,000-euro Class I handicap race. Since this is a so-called “premium race day,” all races offer at least 15,000 euros in prize money. The first race is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. The gates open at 10 a.m.
Side Events:
In addition to top-class horse racing, Baden Galopp once again guarantees a varied supporting program for the “Grosse Woche,” featuring attractive activities for the whole family.
On the first Sunday, August 30, the “Style Challenge” will be held for the fourth time. In this competition, themed “Old money. Your style,” the hat is only one part of the overall evaluation. A celebrity jury featuring Désirée Nick, DR. RICK and DR. NICK, Clea-Lacy, Katharina Eppli, and Dschuly—joined by Celina Zindler from Baden Galopp—will select the best overall outfits and reward the top participants with valuable prizes. The search at the racetrack begins at 11:30 a.m.
On Monday, August 31, starting at 5:30 p.m., the traditional soccer game to benefit a charitable organization will take place at the FV Iffezheim soccer field.
For the first time ever, an after-work race day will be held at the racetrack on Tuesday, September 1. Under the theme “Wine and Beats,” well-known wineries from the region will showcase their wines against a backdrop of live music in the Gontard Garden and invite guests to linger starting at 2 p.m.
“Girl Power” is the order of the day on Saturday, September 5. Race day is also “Ladies Day,” with the theme “Today and every day, we celebrate women.” All female visitors can look forward to little surprises, including a goodie bag filled with gifts from Baden Galopp’s partners.
On the same day, the big members’ party will once again take place in the Gontard Garden, and all visitors are, of course, cordially invited to attend. The well-known band “Die Grafenberger” will provide the perfect atmosphere. All members of Baden Galopp are invited to enjoy food and drinks here. Admission is free.
Special highlights await all guests on the final day of the “Große Woche,” September 6. The day kicks off with a performance by the Iffezheim Fanfare Band around 10:30 a.m. In addition, the fantastic entertainer Marc Marshall will lead all visitors in singing the traditional “Badner Lied” before the Baden Grand Prix and will perform the winning team’s anthem live after the race. The day ends with “Sing and Swing,” a free live concert featuring Marc Marshall and his band in the Gontard Garden. There’s no better way to wrap up the race week.
Young visitors to the racetrack will also get their money’s worth with the kids’ program. In the Kids’ Area near the main entrance, they can play to their hearts’ content for free on all race days. Right by the main entrance, next to the beach area, Horst Jochim’s playmobile is ready for the little ones. The Rastatt native brings along countless toys and vehicles for every age group. Both little ones and older kids can ride like a jockey next to the Kids’ Area on “Miss Iffi,” the electric practice racehorse that Baden Galopp purchased a few years ago with support from the T. von Zastrow Foundation. In the “Beach Area” to the left of the main entrance, lounge chairs set on 50 metric tons of sand and a cocktail bar create a summery beach vibe. An LED screen will also be set up there so visitors can relax and watch the races. The “Café am Führring”—which has been operated by Torteninsel Baden-Baden for several years—and the Gontard Garden, which has been transformed into the Summer Lounge, are also perfect spots to linger. For interested first-time visitors to the racetrack, Baden Galopp also offers two free, public guided tours daily.
Tickets are available for all areas via the website www.badengalopp.de
2026 Baden Galopp Racing Schedule:
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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Andre Lott
Press contact
Baden Galopp GmbH & Co. KG
Rennbahnstr. 16
76473 Iffezheim
Tel: +49 1736755151
www.badengalopp.de
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Company headquarters: Iffezheim
Mannheim Local Court: HRA 708774
Represented by Baden Galopp Verwaltungs GmbH
Company headquarters: Iffezheim
Mannheim Local Court: HRB 3821
Managing Director: Stephan Buchner
