GaloppWeekly - February 4/25
- Luis Kimmel
- 26. Feb.
- 10 Min. Lesezeit
What happened in the racing world last week? GaloppWeekly takes a look back on everything important happening in Germany and around the world.
Less blacktype in Germany
The European Pattern Committee (EPC) decided on a few changes for European blacktype racing. As a result, there will be 814 listed and group races in Europe in 2025, a decrease of 12 races compared to last year. First, the good news: there will be new Group 1 races. The City Of York Stakes (York), the British Champions Long Distance Cup (Ascot), the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Longchamp) and the Golden Fleece Stakes (Leopardstown) will be upgraded and will all be held as Group 1 races this season.
The EPC's decisions are not exactly positive for Germany, however. Where races can be upgraded, they can of course also be downgraded. In Germany, two listed races will lose their status. Specifically, these are the Diana Trial at Baden-Baden for three-year-old fillies and the Grosser Preis der Hannoverschen Volksbanken at Hanover, also a fillies-race. Italy was hit even harder than Germany. A total of eleven races have been downgraded or lost their blacktype status. This also affects the G2 Gran Criterium for two-year-olds, which has been won by German trained horses in recent years, namely WINTERTRAUM (Lord Of England) and LAZIO (Make Believe). Eight of the eleven races are listed races that have completely lost their blacktype status as a result of the downgrading.
In 2025, Germany will continue to be closely monitored. The EPC announced that six German races could be downgraded next year if they do not meet the required rating this year. Three races have been added to the watchlist for 2025: The Fliegerpreis at Hoppegarten and Hamburg (both listed races) and Germany's most important sprint race, the G3 Casino Baden-Baden Goldene Peitsche.
In the wake of this, Deutscher Galopp reacted and published measures to secure German sprint races. The loss of the aforementioned races would mean that there would be no more blacktype races at sprint distances in Germany between the beginning of June and the end of August.
The measures in detail:
The prizes for the listed races at Hoppegarten and Hamburg will be increased to €40,000.
The Goldene Peitsche in 2025 will be endowed with €70,000 instead of the previous €55,000.
The rating of the races is based on the average annual rating of the first four finishers.
Luis Kimmel: "The measures that Deutscher Galopp is now taking are certainly important. Whether they are effective is another matter. Comparable races in France are consistently better endowed. Last year's best German sprinter, ZEROSTRESS (Areion), had a OR of 107 and that as an eight-year-old gelding. Behind him, there are not many good German horses. An increase in the prize money alone will hardly be enough to maintain the level. Incentives would have to be created for German breeders to breed a sprinter in the first place. How this incentive might look can be discussed. For example, breeders who choose stallions like ALSON or WALDPFAD could be subsidised to tackle the real problem from the ground up. Hardly any German breeder will choose a sprinter just because two listed races in Germany are now endowed with €40,000.
In my opinion, the far greater problem with Deutscher Galopp's press release is the wording. It is difficult to understand how they can speak of ‘early action’. There is no mention of the fact that the Goldene Peitsche was downgraded from Group 2 to Group 3 as early as 2020, that the Silberne Peitsche (G3 to listed level) followed two years later, that the Hamburger Fliegerpreis was downgraded in 2023. To praise oneself for ‘acting with foresight’ now, in 2025, is, in my opinion, beyond reality.
Even more significant: measures to avoid the downgrading of the Derby, the Oaks and the 2000 Guineas have not yet been communicated. On the contrary: in 2025, the Guineas will have prize money of just under €30,000 less than three years ago. The measure introduced last year, which gave automatic starting rights in the Derby and Oaks to winners and runners-up in major international races, was not taken up in 2024, as is well known. Should new measures be discussed?
It remains to be seen what the governing body comes up with to secure the much more important classic races. It is hard to imagine that the 2000 Guineas will be able to confirm their Group 2 status this year. According to Deutscher Galopp they're reacting ‘at an early stage’ and are ‘moving forward with well-thought-out concepts’ for the sprint races.
A matter of opinion.
No Arc for GOLIATH
There is a small change in the calendar of the French season. The Arc Trials will be held a week earlier than usual at ParisLongchamp in 2025 and will therefore take place on the same day as the G1 WETTSTAR.de - 155th Grosse Preis von Baden. Thus, the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille, the G2 Qatar Prix Foy and the G2 Qatar Prix Niel will take place on 7 September 2025. On the same day, in addition to the Baden-Baden Grand Prix, the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1600 metres will also take place.
It remains to be seen whether this will have a negative impact on Germany's biggest race. In the past, this race served as perfect preparation for horses like TORQUATOR TASSO (Adlerflug) for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which takes place four weeks later.
More exciting than the changed scheduling of the Arc Trails is a non-change. In 2025, geldings will still not be allowed to the most important race in the world. However, the matter is not yet completely off the table at France Galop. So it is quite possible that the Arc will be opened to geldings in the coming years after all.
One person who is not at all happy with this decision is GOLIATH (Adlerflug) co-owner John Stewart. He has expressed his disappointment on Twitter several times. According to Stewart, he now has to reconsider whether it still makes sense from his point of view to invest in French racing. Goliath will also not start in France in 2025 due to France Galop's decision, even though the gelding is in training with Francis-Henri Graffard. The plan is to head to Hong Kong for Champions Day at the end of April for Goliath's season debut. According to Stewart, further goals include races in Great Britain, the USA, Australia and Japan.
Luis Kimmel: "France Galop will be opening the Arc to geldings in the coming years, which I believe to be the right decision. However, I consider John Stewart's behaviour and reaction to be arrogant. He cannot expect centuries-old rules to be changed just because a billionaire American racing newcomer buys a gelding that has not even been able to confirm his outstanding achievements in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The decision to open the Arc must come solely from France Galop."
Happy Birthday WIND IN HER HAIR
Sunday, August 6th 1995. At Gelsenkirchen, seven horses canter up to the 2400-metre starting point for the G1 39th Aral Pokal. Among the seven gallopers are two future legends of international thoroughbred breeding. The great MONSUN (Königsstuhl) comes to the start as the hot favourite at 1,4 under Peter Schiergen. As a racehorse, Monsun was able to win three races at Group 1 level. As a stallion, he stand for a fee up to €150,000 and produced champions all over the world with horses like LANDO, MANDURO, PROTECTIONIST and STACELITA. He started for the last time on this day. But what no one could have guessed at the time was that trainer John Hills would saddle an even greater legend that day.
A 13,8:1 outsider by the beautiful name of WIND IN HER HAIR came to the starting gate at Gelsenkirchen and managed the unthinkable: she beat Monsun, who came in fifth. Seven years later, Wind In Her Hair gave birth to a colt by SUNDAY SILENCE: DEEP IMPACT. He won the Triple Crown in 2005 and all the major stayer races in Japan in 2006. As a stallion, Deep Impact became champion sire incredible nine times in a row (2012-2020) and provided the winner of the G1 Epsom Derby in 2023, AUGUSTE RODIN.
On 20th February, the dam of the best Japanese racehorse of all time celebrated her 34th birthday! Wind In Her Hair has been spending her retirement at the Northern Horse Park in Japan for a long time.
Japan Show at Riyadh
Six group races were on the card at Riyadh last Saturday. A horse trained in Japan came out on top four times. It all started with SHIN EMPEROR (Siyouni) in the G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup. The full brother of the 2020 Arc winner SOTTSASS dominated the race on the home straight and left his opponents no chance. On closer inspection, the Neom Turf Cup was also very successful race for Germany. Behind Shin Emperor, CALIF (Areion), bred by Gestüt Brümmerhof, secured second place ahead of the winner of the G1 Westminster 134th Grosser Preis von Berlin AL RIFFA (Wottoon Bassett). The only German starter of the evening STRAIGHT (Zarak) came in fifth, not far beaten. His connections were very satisfied afterwards. Although they had hoped for a placement in order to then realise a trip to Dubai for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, this performance was also very satisfactory due to the short distances to the front. Straight flies back to Germany on Wednesday. A trip to Dubai will be discussed in the coming days and weeks. They would like to avoid horses like REBEL'S ROMANCE (Dubawi), CALANDAGAN (Gleneagles), Shin Emperor or Al Riffa if possible.
Shin Emperor's victory was followed by another victory for Japan. In the G2 1351 Turf Sprint, Japan superstar Christophe Lemaire rode the mare ASCOLI PICENO (Daiwa Major) to victory. She pushed WIN MARVEL (I'll Have Another), who had also been prepared in Japan, and the big outsider GOEMON (Dark Angel) into second and third place.
And it should not be the end for Japan. BYZANTINE DREAM (Epiphaneia) secured the longest race of the evening in impressive fashion, the 3000-metre G2 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, ahead of EPIC POET (Lope De Vega) and the Irish favourite CONTINUOUS (Heart's Cry). Byzantine Dream came fifth in the G1 Kikuka Sho back in October 2024 as a 64,6:1 outsider - the jockey at the time: Andrasch Starke!
So far, the evening could hardly have gone better for Japan. Now the world's richest race was on - the $20,000,000 G1 Saudi Cup! In the run-up to the race, everyone agreed. Although there were 14 horses at the start, only two could win. ROMANTIC WARRIOR (Acclamation) and FOREVER YOUNG (Real Steel) - Hong Kong against Japan. In the final turn, James McDonald set out to attack Romantic Warrior in the outer lane. He initially passed the leading Forever Young without any problems and seemed to be able to pull away. But Forever Young and jockey Ryusei Sakai did not give in easily and came closer and closer in the distance and actually managed to catch Romantic Warrior on the line. USHBA TESORO (Orfevre) followed in third place, about ten lengths behind. A horse prepared in Japan – of course. A race that will be remembered for many years to come.
Entries closed for French classics
Wednesday was the entry deadline for France's most important three-year-old races. A total of 616 horses were entered for the 2000 Guineas, the 1000 Guineas, the Derby, the Prix de Diane and the Grand Prix de Paris, a decrease of 100 compared to 2021. There were also a few entries by German trainers. However, only the G1 Prix du Jockey Club seems to be on the cards for German horses. This was the only race for which German trainers submitted entries.
Nevertheless, there were some entries with German connections for the remaining French races. These included German-owned gallopers and horses bred in Germany. An overview:
G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulins - 2000 Guineas
THINK GIANT (Lope De Vega) - Eckhard Sauren - Christophe Ferland
Think Giant came second in G3 WETTSTAR.de Preis des Winterfavoriten 2024
G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches - 1000 Guineas
SHE'S A TEASE (Teofilo) - Gestüt Schlenderhan - Victoria Head
Bred and owned by Gestüt Schlenderhan
G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club - French Derby
SNOW PLAYER (Dariyan) - Paul Bowden - Michael Figge
DE TALE (De Treville) - Rashit Shykhutdinov - Andreas Wöhler
SEDANO (Lope De Vega) - Stall Grafenberg - Waldemar Hickst
THINK GIANT (Lope De Vega) - Eckhard Sauren - Christophe Ferland
WAKA WAKA (Dabirsim) - Michael Motschmann - Jerome Reynier
SWAGMAN (Wootton Bassett) - Coolmore - Aidan O'Brien
Swagman is bred by Gestüt Brümmerhof
G1 Prix de Diane Longines
GALENE (Sea The Moon) - Gestüt Schlenderhan - Victoria Head
Bred and owned by Gestüt Schlenderhan
G1 Grand Prix de Paris
SWAGMAN (Wootton Bassett) - Coolmore - Aidan O'Brien
LAZY GRIFF (Protectionist) - R. Griffiths & Middleham Park Racing - Charlie Johnston
AUREL (Soldier Hollow) - The M Team - Ralph Beckett
Swagman is bred by Gestüt Brümmerhof, Lazy Griff is bred by Gestüt Westerberg and Aurel is bred by Gestüt Auenquelle.
Since 2016, France Galop has seen a sharp decline in the number of entries in its premiere three-year-old races. At its peak, up to 933 horses were entered for the five races. In particular, the decline in the Prix de Diane is a cause for concern. In 2021, there were 191 entries for the classic race for fillies, compared to 131 in 2025.
First foal for INDIA
Last week it was the turn of WELL DISPOSED (Dubawi) and SODASHI (Kurofune) to present their offspring. This week it is INDIA (Adlerflug) and WELLENSPIEL (Sternkönig). India was Germany's best mare in 2023 and won the G1 61st Preis von Europa. She ended her career with a OR of 113. Gestüt Hof Ittlingen chose French superstar ZARAK (Dubawi) as India's first partner. She gave birth to a filly by him on Valentine's Day, which was very fitting.
Perhaps the most prominent German foal in 2025 was born on 23 February. The little colt out of Wellenspiel is a half-brother to two derby winners. His father is the most expensive stallion in the world, FRANKEL (Galileo), who is standing for £350,000 in Great Britain!
WINDSTOSS (Shirocco) and WELTSTAR (Soldier Hollow) won the G1 German Derby for Gestüt Röttgen in 2017 and 2018.
This year, mum Wellenspiel is going to KINGMAN (Invincible Spirit).
Adrie de Vries for Westminster
Marian Ziburske's racing stable will start the 2025 season with its own stable jockey. Westminster currently has 72 gallopers in training throughout Europe. According to Ziburske, they were looking for a jockey for the horses in Eastern Europe, Germany and Italy. The collaboration between Westminster and de Vries is initially limited to this year, according to Ziburske.
The Westminster horses prepared in Germany can be found on Andreas Wöhler's training list:
LADY MONIA (Sea The Moon)
LADY CHARLOTTE (Golden Horn)
LADY ILZE (Territories)
MISTER PHOENIX (Territories)
WESTMINSTER EAGLE (Maxios)
In 2024, Ziburske and de Vries won Poland's most valuable race with KANESHYA (Hunter's Light).
Westminster's greatest success in Germany was undoubtedly when LADY EWELINA (Mukhadram) won the G3 Karin Baronin von Ullmann - Schwarzgold-Rennen on 7 May 2023.
That's it for GaloppWeekly – but it'll be back next week!
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