Image: Petit Marin; 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:
Spectacular Start to the "Große Woche": Grand Prix Horses in the 71st Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Prize
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, August 27, 2026 (MH) – A spectacular start to the most important meet of 2026 at the Baden-Baden-Iffezheim racetrack: The “Grosse Woche,” organized by Baden Galopp, begins on Saturday, August 29, with a traditional race: The Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Prize (Group III, 55,000 euros, 2,000 meters) will be held for the 71st time. It is the first of six Group races during this top racing week—spanning five race days through September 6—at Germany’s most important racetrack. A total of approximately 1.5 million euros in race prizes (including breeder bonuses) will be awarded. Of course, there will once again be first-class racing and top-notch betting opportunities.
Fourth Start for Petit Marin
The 71st Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Prize, once again sponsored by the bank, is a key race for Grand Prix horses. For the fourth time, Petit Marin (E. Crublet) from Marcel Weiß’s successful Mülheim stable will compete here for Dirk von Mitzlaff. He has finished third here twice (in 2023 and 2025). Weiß also has the three-year-old Peace of Japan (T. Hammer-Hansen)—who is returning from a layoff and has shown great potential—and Stingray (L. Wolff) in the race.
Stall Helena’s Wilko (B. Murzabayev) could also be of particular interest; as a 3-year-old, he finished a close second in the Japan Racing Association Derby Trial and has most recently competed in even tougher races. The mare Soft Winds (ridden by Derby-winning jockey Wladimir Panov) put in a very strong performance for Gestüt Brümmerhof in the Lotto Hamburg Grand Prix. Delgardo (E. Pedroza) and Lazio (R. Piechulek) are also well-tested in such races.
Which horse has the largest lungs?
The supporting program on opening day is quite something. Eight races will be held. The first race starts at 1:30 p.m. (gates open at 12 p.m.). The Stall Siepenblick 2.8 – Steher Cup (Listed race, 30,000 euros), a 2,800-meter race, will truly test the horses’ stamina. The race is sponsored by breeder and owner Lothar Grabe.
Eckhard Sauren’s stayer champion Flatten the Curve (T. Hammer-Hansen), who even competed in the world-famous Melbourne Cup in 2025, is making his return here after a break. He’ll be facing, among others, Gestüt Ittlingen’s Group winner Narrativo (B. Murzabayev) as well as Queimados (E. Pedroza), who has repeatedly shown flashes of his class despite several breaks.
40,000 euros in the four-way bet
Baden Galopp is, of course, kicking things off with several betting highlights: A guaranteed prize pool of 40,000 euros is up for grabs in the four-horse parlay for Race 4 (Handicap III, 2,000 m). This includes a jackpot of 15,310.30 euros. 10,000 euros will be paid out in the four-race parlay for Race 8 (Class IV Handicap, 2,000 m). An additional 10,000 euros is up for grabs via the V4 parlay covering Races 5 through 8. Here, bettors must correctly predict the four winners of these races.
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
