Sales & Racing OktoberFESTival in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim from 15 to 17 October 2021
Much praise for the terrain
Stephan Bucher, Managing Director of Baden Galopp, takes stock
Baden-Baden/Iffezheim, October 19, 2021 (KH). The first season under the management of Baden Galopp GmbH & Co KG came to an end at the Baden-Baden Iffezheim racecourse with the Sales & Racing OktoberFESTival. Stephan Buchner, managing partner, took stock.
Baden Galopp presented a total of 17 races: one race day more than originally planned and then two races in addition. The Sales & Racing OktoberFESTival attracted 8100 visitors, 2600 on the first and 5500 on the second race day. Betting turnover totaled 815,122 euros, of which 51.18 percent was generated at the racetrack; the other, scant half ran through online betting and betting shops. Buchner pointed out that the average betting turnover of 47,950 euros per race was the highest since at least 2017.
"It's a success that we worked towards, but didn't expect." Buchner assumes that Baden Galopp has laid the foundations for the autumn event with the successful Great Week in the summer: "This enabled us to create confidence among sponsors and active riders."
458,000 euros in prize money was distributed to the top-class horses that came to Iffezheim: These included Lizaid, the new Winter Queen, who won the Winter Queen Prize of the Derby winner Sisfahan, or Only the Brave, winner of the Baden-Württemberg Trophy, sponsored by the Förderverein Baden Galopp Iffezheim e.V.: "Only the brave wins - we take the name as a motto," joked Buchner.
The condition of the turf was expressly praised by trainers, owners, jockeys and the race organizers. "We have invested a lot of work here in the last few months to offer our active riders optimal conditions. There are always things we can do even better, but of course we are particularly pleased with the praise from the active riders," said Buchner.
"Gallop for all - I'll bet on it"
"In addition, the many visitors of course contributed significantly to the success," emphasizes the managing director: "There was again a great atmosphere at the racecourse. Especially on Oktoberfest Sunday, many families came - and that's what we want: Gallop for all. That's what I'm betting on." The fact that Baden Galopp as a new operator has arrived in the region and beyond is also shown by the number of visitors to the sponsoring association: It now has more than 400 members from all over Germany.
Baden Galopp had taken over the Baden-Baden - Iffezheim racecourse in April. In a very short time, a small team made the organization office ready for work, the fallow turf suitable for racing and the facility ready for reception. In August, almost a complete Great Week with four extra-long racing days took place on the turf stage. It exceeded expectations in terms of spectator numbers and betting turnover. In addition to almost perfect weather, a new Corona regulation by the Baden-Württemberg state government also contributed to the success: it allowed more spectators.
"Baden-Baden has its racecourse back!"
Buchner repeated his assessment from September: "There is still a lot to do - but we are on the right track." Many spectators were less reserved: "Baden-Baden has its racecourse back!" cheered one visitor at the award ceremony after the Ferdinand Leisten Memorial race, one of the most traditional races in Baden-Baden and the best-paying race in Germany.
"After the race is before the race" - the old saying doesn't just apply to athletes: Stephan Buchner and his team are already in the midst of preparations for the Baden-Baden Spring Meeting 2022: Three racing days are on the calendar for the Ascension weekend from May 26 to 29. The Great Week will offer five racing days from August 27 to September 4. The Sales & Racing Festival will take place from October 14 to 16.
The prizes for the most beautiful costumes were won by Nicole Banzhaf and Kai Hedemann, two real Iffezheimers: Banzhaf, who works for a tax consultant, has known the racecourse since childhood. Hedemanns, who works as a project manager, has also been associated with the track for a long time. Until now, both knew each other only by sight through the kindergarten of their offspring - the next generation of gallop fans?
Making up ground on good ground: There was a lot of praise at the Sales & Racing OktoberFESTival in Baden-Baden - Iffezheim also for the cross-country course. Here the finish in the Prize of R+V Insurance with winner Sibylle Vogt (third from left) on Epatant.
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