Press release
Image: The Magic Flute; www.marcruehl.com / Use of this image is free of charge in connection with reporting on Baden Galopp
Press release
"The Magic Flute" Takes Center Stage at the BBAG Baden Youth Festival
Baden-Baden-Iffezheim, June 6, 2026 (MH) – As of this Saturday, the name “Zauberflöte” stands not only for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s world-famous opera, but also for the first winner of a 2026 race for two-year-old horses in Germany. Trained by Henk Grewe in Cologne, the first winner sired by the stallion Rubaiyat also benefited in the BBAG Badener Jugendpreis (15,000 euros, 1,000 m) from her racing experience gained during a start in France.
Ridden by Thore Hammer-Hansen, the 1.9:1 favorite posted the fastest closing speed in the end and, racing in the colors of Thomas Georg Jander—who had purchased her for 30,000 euros from Gestüt Karlshof at the BBAG Yearling Auction—relegated the two Danish contenders, Mist At Dawn and Killian, as well as Indigo Sun, who failed to maintain her lead, to the lower places.
“That was a very good performance. I would have liked to take her wide along the rail, but that wasn’t possible. Zauberflöte has a powerful gallop and picked up the pace nicely all the way to the finish,” said jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen. “Her last workout wasn’t entirely convincing, but we were determined to win this race today for her sire, Rubaiyat. She’ll now get a break until the Cologne Auction Race,” assured her trainer, Henk Grewe.
Snow White as a “giant”
The three-year-old Schneewittchen (2.4:1), entered for the first time by Henk Grewe, made a brilliant debut in the opening 2,000-meter race, which she won with complete ease under Leon Wolff against Salenta and Nabob. “She was still a bit immature, but everything went great. The filly got off to a late start and now needs to take a big step forward,” Wolff explained about the winner, who is still entered in the Henkel – Preis der Diana.
First Triumph in Iffezheim for Alicia Baum
Just a few weeks ago, Alicia Baum—the daughter of Gestüt Brümmerhof owner Gregor Baum and his wife Julia—took over her family’s stable as an owner-trainer. But her success is truly impressive. For the first time, she was able to claim a winner at Iffezheim after the “F*ck Cancer” race (Class I handicap, 20,000 euros, 2,000 m) with the surprise winner Soft Winds (12.2:1). Ridden by Wladimir Panov, Soft Winds held off Fabian Xaver Weißmeier’s Centrical and Klaudius, owned by Martin Kronimus. With this race, Baden Galopp supported an initiative by Dana Diekmeier to aid cancer research. Dana Diekmeier personally explained the background of the initiative.
Trainer Dr. Andreas Bolte’s (Lengerich) winning streak continued in the Ausgleich II over 1,600 meters, when Freigeist (6.2:1), ridden by Michael Cadeddu, edged out West Man and Windfang.
A Great Success for the Turffreunde Baden
A great success for the Turffreunde Baden, as this highly dedicated group of owners secured victory in the T. von Zastrow Amateur Cup (Handicap IV, 1,800 m) with Tia Sophia (9.3:1), ridden by Kevin Braye. Gerald Geisler trains the four-year-old mare in Iffezheim.
Another Year of Top-Notch Revenue
Betting revenue for the eight races totaled 771,641.52 euros. This represents yet another enormous increase, as just one year ago, only 605,421.54 euros had passed through the betting windows.
Grand Finale on Sunday
The grand finale of the Spring Meeting will take place tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, 2026. Ten races are scheduled starting at 11:15 a.m. (gates open at 10 a.m.). The meeting’s most important race—the Tattersalls Grand Prix (Group II, 70,000 euros, 2,200 m)—is sure to thrill horse racing fans.
Tickets for all sections are available on 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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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
