The future of racing?
- Luis Kimmel
- 3. März
- 6 Min. Lesezeit
Horse racing is great. Tradition, high-class sport and excitement almost every day. The only problem the sport seems to have is that social media and networking are still underused in 2025. How can this be changed and what opportunities are available to German racing in particular? GaloppDaily spoke to Cecilia Helber, the head and creative mind behind 3forONE.com.
3forONE is the world's first fully comprehensive digital platform offering a complete universe of equestrian sports. It combines auctions, horse racing, exclusive data for horse sellers and bettors, and high-quality press releases. At the same time, 3forONE enables real interaction through posts and networking, so that every user can actively participate in the community. According to Cecilia Helber, the idea for the platform was born out of many years of experience in the industry: ‘My husband Rudolf Helber and I have gained a deep insight into equestrian sports through our company Cometica and realised that there is a lack of a modern, digitally networked platform that connects all parties involved.’
As mentioned at the beginning, horse racing undoubtedly benefits from its centuries-old tradition. Now the sport is also being developed digitally, and this is precisely where Cecilia Helber sees great potential. ‘Until now, information was scattered, interactions were limited and access to auctions and races was often only easy for experts. 3forONE brings all these aspects together in a single platform, offering unprecedented added value for breeders, trainers, jockeys, owners, racing clubs, auction houses, service providers and fans worldwide.’ It is a project that will certainly not be realised overnight and that relies on a good team. ’Our vision would not have become reality without a passionate, committed and highly qualified team. Our developers, in particular, play a crucial role – above all, Roman Strobl, who, as the technical mastermind, is largely responsible for the implementation of our digital infrastructure. He ensures that the auction lot lists, race results, press releases and livestreams are updated and made available on a daily basis.’
Strong partners
Over the years, Cecilia Helber has built up a large network in Germany and abroad. ‘We are the only platform worldwide that combines news, live streams, auctions, race results and press releases on one platform while also building an active community. Each and every one of our team members is dedicated to ensuring that 3forONE continues to grow and develop.’
The name ‘3forONE’ is certainly best known in German racing from its cooperation with the BBAG. Here, 3forONE is responsible for handling the ‘online bidding’, a function that is becoming increasingly established. Baden-Baden seems to have a special place in Cecilia Helber's heart anyway. The 3forONE team can also be found at the racecourse on several race days with its own stand. ‘Baden Galopp believes in us and we were able to have a strong presence at their major meeting.’
In addition to handling online bidding at BBAG auctions, 3forONE provides its followers and users with the latest news and insights from around the world on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
New paths
3forONE is not only at the top at auctions. The company is also breaking new ground in other racing areas. The ‘Jockeybörse’ should make it easier for trainers, jockeys and owners to get in touch in the future. Digital requests can be made directly to easily put together the perfect team.
The form points system could be of interest to ambitious bettors and those who want to become one. ‘Instead of just seeing placings, users can access comprehensive analyses of the form of the horses and thus make informed decisions,’ says Helber, who has a degree in mathematics, about the unique system.
3forONE has not yet reached the end of its goals. In the future, the platform should also provide real added value for German racing. Livestreams and video content are to be even better integrated in 2025 to make the auctions and the hustle and bustle at the racetracks even more tangible. In the coming years, 3forONE also wants to develop the foreign market. So far, 3forONE has been working internationally with the French auction house Osarus, among others. For Cecilia Helber, global expansion and the associated multilingualism of the platform is the logical next step.
POMPEO DREAM dreams of Hamburg
The Swiss couple Helber has already celebrated many wins on the racecourse as Cometica AG. Horses such as SEE HECTOR (Counterattack), WIKINGER (Ten Sovereigns) or, most recently, the group 3 winner Pompeo Dream (Muhaarar) have attracted attention in the past in the yellow racing colours with a pink star.
There are currently ten horses in training for Cometica AG. In addition, there are three gallopers in syndicates and a yearling that is not yet in training.
For the coming racing year, the team has its sights set on classic hopes again. Not least thanks to Pompeo Dream's victory in the G3 Grossen Preis der Wohnstätte Krefeld - Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen last November. On that day, the protégé of Bohumil Nedorostek was the longest outsider at the start. He had not yet been able to break his maiden in two starts up to that day. So the Cometica camp certainly did not expect such a performance. ‘We expected a good placing, but a victory was a fantastic confirmation,’ Cecilia Helber recalls. Pompeo Dream's goal this year is clearly the G1 IDEE 156. German Derby. He will next be seen in the G3 Dr. Busch Memorial. The plan is then to head towards Hamburg via the G2 Derby Italiano. ‘We believe he can rise to this challenge.’
It is not only Pompeo Dream that makes the Helber couple dream. With MY UNIVERSE (Counterattack), Nedorostek has a well-bred three-year-old in training. The €70,000 BBAG yearling is a full brother of the group 3 winner MAIGRET, who convincingly won the G3 Der große Online-Banking-Preis - Dr. Busch-Memorial at Krefeld for Gestüt Karlshof last year. His older sister MYLADY (The Grey Gatsby) won this race the year before, then ran in the G2 37th Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen - German 2000 Guineas against the boys before she was only beaten by the French filly TXOPE (Siyouni) in the filly equivalent. In 2023, Mylady won the G2 The Very One Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Mylady was certainly one of the best German mares in recent years. Consequently, My Universe has also raised great expectations. ‘Two of his siblings have already won group races. Based on his pedigree, he has the potential to become a group horse as well. He has not yet raced, but we are excited to see how he develops in training,’ said Helber optimistically.
See Hector in Dubai
In the Cometica colours, See Hector won three times on group level. In May 2022, he even became a classic winner in the G3 Premio Paroli - Italian 2000 Guineas. Last year, the Counterattack son changed ownership to Malih L Al Basti. In Dubai, See Hector is now in the care of Jamie Osborne. Success was not long in coming. In his first start in Dubai, the Gestüt Karlshof bred colt caused a sensation when he finished second in a strong handicap as a 100/1 outsider, beaten only by FIRST CONQUEST (Teofilo), a Godolphin horse that went on to win a Group 3 race at Meydan.
When asked whether they would have liked to keep See Hector, especially in view of his successes in the desert, Cecilia Helber replied: ‘See Hector had an absolutely brilliant time with us – he was our best horse, a true champion. We still have strong ties to him in our hearts. He is Counterattack's best son and it was time to further his career internationally, give him new opportunities for development and, who knows, perhaps establish him as a future stallion.’
And it seems that See Hector is getting better and better in Dubai. Just two days ago, on March 1st, he delivered perhaps his best performance of his career to date with a third-place finish in the G2 Dubai City of Gold. His rider, Saffie Osborne, was more than satisfied with his performance and already had new goals in mind: ‘I definitely think he has a chance in a big handicap at Ascot!’
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