By Sean Cronin & Christa Riebel
Thrust into the limelight in the mid-1980s when succeeding his father Adolf, himself one of Germany's post-war icons and famed caretaker of G1 Deutsches Derby-winning cornerstone Surumu (Ger) (Literat {Ger}), it was clear from the outset Andreas Wohler had a tough act to follow. Since sending out 38 winners in 1986, he has notched two trainers' championships and registered at least a half-century of victories in 26 out of the last 30 seasons. Consistency matters and–with a plethora of champions already through the school, 18 Classics on home soil in the bag and a domestic prizemoney haul fast approaching the €40-million mark–it's fair to argue the crowd's been won.
Operating out of Bremen initially, German reunification had been ratified a matter of months before Martessa (Ger) (Solarstern {Fr}) posted a first Classic for the yard in the 1991 G2 Preis der Diana, 10 years ahead of that contest's elevation to Group 1 status. The enigmatic Lomitas (GB) (Niniski) was an early trendsetter too, bouncing back from a narrow defeat in that semester's G1 Deutsches Derby to strike for three Group 1 events, in just eight weeks, later in the season. Pik Konig (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}) became the first of five Deutsches Derby triumphs one year on and Laccario (Ger) (Scalo {GB}) burnished that particular roster in the 150th edition last term.
Wohler's aggregate earnings worldwide exceed €55 million and pioneering achievements abroad were manyfold in 2001 with Silvano (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), whose exploits in Hong Kong's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the USA's GI Arlington Million were logged as the first German-trained winners at the highest grade in either dominion; and the year-younger Paolini (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), who won two such heats in Italy that year and, by career's end, had contested all but the first four of his 28 career starts at the summit and accumulated a collection of stamps from 11 countries all told.
The Classics count had stalled at six before Wohler completed his transition to Gestut Ravensberg's Spexard spread near Gutersloh–between Dortmund and Hannover–in 2004 and, from there, Mi Emma (Ger) (Silvano {Ger}) annexed the 2007 G2 German 1000 Guineas. Ravensberg homebred Waldpark (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}), who defeated stablemate Earl of Tinsdal (Ger) (Black Sam Bellamy {Ire}) in the 2011 G1 Deutsches Derby, is one of another 11 Classic graduates in the last decade alone.
Novellist (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) was not part of that set, but he was front-page news during an 11-month period straddling the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Dr. Christoph Berglar's homebred bay encountered a first defeat when second in the 2012 G1 Deutsches Derby and a subsequent fourth in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden would be his only other blip. He remained invincible thereafter and harvested Italy's G1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club e Coppa d'Oro, France's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Britain's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S.–by five lengths in track-record time–and the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden back on familiar terrain in what would be his final race.
Gestut Graditz-bred Chopin (Ger) (Santiago {Ger}) also set a notable mark for the trainer in 2013, becoming Germany's first ever representative in the G1 Epsom Derby, where he finished seventh after a troubled passage. “The Derby is the Derby of Derbys,” Wohler once noted. Royal Ascot entries would be entertained too. Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) further enhanced the yard's international profile, with another first for the country in the 2014 G1 Melbourne Cup, and a continued flow of success at home–including a hat-trick of Dianas and the Derby victories of Isfahan (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}) and Laccario (Ger)–follows a trajectory back to the present day. Almost.
In tandem with the highs must come lows, but some lows are difficult to absorb. So while the yard remains in preparation phase for Germany's May 1 resumption, it is also a time for reflection. Team Wohler suffered the premature loss of one of its own in recent days with the passing of stable stalwart Wojtek Dworczynski. Polish and proud, he had been in situ since Wohler's move to Gutersloh and was noted for his symbiotic relationship with Laccario's sire, 2010 G1 Preis von Europa victor Scalo (GB) (Lando {Ger}). We offer our sincerest condolences to family, friends and colleagues.
Claiming two wins apiece through Hugo Palmer and Mark Johnston, Britain has farmed Dusseldorf's G2 German 1000 Guineas of late and five years have elapsed since the house won with the Jaber Abdullah-owned Full Rose (GB) (Aqlaam {GB}), the latest of four renewals for Wohler.
However, his quest for more is not diminished and the trainer has ordnance primed for this year's June 7 staging at the Grafenberg venue. Dr. Christoph Berglar's homebred Pleasant Company (Ger) (f, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Peace Society {MSW-Ger & SP-Fr}, by Iffraaj {GB}) is one of 43 engaged and held in some regard, but as yet unraced. The February-foaled bay is the first of three foals produced by Peace Society (Iffraaj {GB}), who garnered the Listed Kronimus-Rennen over six furlongs at two and the Listed Baden-Baden Cup over seven at three and is a half-sister to GSW G2 German 1000 Guineas runner-up Peace In Motion (Hat Trick {Jpn}). Pleasant Company's second dam, dual Group 3-winning miler Peace Royale (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}), is herself kin to G3 Fahrhofer Stutenpreis victress Peaceful Love (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}) and Listed Prix des Sablonnets winner Penny Lane (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}), both earning their black-type highs at the one-mile trip too.
“Pleasant Company was thought to be ready at two, but she needed more time,” Wohler explained. “She should be quick to come to hand now, at distances around the mile, and is entered for the [June 7] G2 German 1000 Guineas [at Dusseldorf].”
On the other hand, Power Thoroughbreds Germany's $60,000 Keeneland November weanling All Powerful (f, 3, Mr Speaker–Patineuse {Ire}, by Peintre Celebre) does possess experience, but is not yet entered in the one-mile Classic and a supplemental fee will be required in due course. She possesses a pedigree too, being a half-sister to globetrotting former incumbent–and G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin hero–Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).
Her stakes-winning second dam Parisienne (Ire) (Distant Relative {Ire}) is a granddaughter of MG1SW champion Pawneese (Ire) (Carvin II {Fr}), whose descendants also include MG1SW stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). The March-foaled bay ran very greenly when runner-up in her lone juvenile outing, contesting a one-mile maiden on soft ground at Hannover in September. In mitigation, she succumbed only to the two-race experience of subsequent G3 Preis der Winterkonigin victress Ocean Fantasy (Fr) (Make Believe {GB}).
“All Powerful is a very talented filly who has come along very well over the winter,” her trainer stated. “She is definitely a better sort and is set to run in the [June 7] G2 German 1000 Guineas [at Dusseldorf].”
While Laccario (Ger) (Scalo {GB}) bridged a 25-year gap for Gestut Ittlingen's silks in last year's G1 Deutsches Derby, the white-and-red colours have still to grace the G1 Preis der Diana's winner's circle. One of just a handful of candidates for the institution this year, Stellina (Ger) (f, 3, Neatico {Ger}–Startissima {GB}, by Green Tune) is nonetheless held in very high esteem at the yard. Hailing from a family featuring Laccario's G1 Preis von Europa-winning sire Scalo (GB) (Lando {Ger}) and MG1SP G2 Oleander-Rennen victor Sound Check (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), she is one of three winners from as many runners for her dam and became the first scorer for Ittlingen resident Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}) when impressing over 8 1/2 furlongs on debut at Dusseldorf in September. The February-foaled chestnut struggled with Baden-Baden's heavy ground lining up for the one-mile Oct. 20 G3 Preis der Winterkonigin next time in the second of two outings for Peter Schiergen.
“Stellina is a very athletic filly and an excellent mover,” Wohler said of the addition to his ranks. “She is high class and should be able to stay. She is also one of the best 3-year-old fillies in my yard and has the [Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf] on her agenda.”
Dr. Stefan Oschmann's Darius Racing has already reached one Classic summit alongside Wohler, Isfahan (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}) triggering celebrations with a thrilling 2016 G1 Deutsches Derby win, and big-race nominations indicate other peaks are in sight. Tangut (Ger) (f, 3, Adlerflug {Ger}–Tucana {Ger}, by Acatenango {Ger}), entered in both Derby and Oaks, showed little in her sole outing as a juvenile when ninth of 11 and 14 lengths-and-change adrift pitched into a 9 1/2-furlong maiden on soft ground at Dresden in November.
Knocked down to Holger Faust's HFTB Agency for €100,000 as a BBAG yearling, the March-foaled chestnut is also held in very high regard by connections. She is kin to three black-type performers, headed by her G2 Diana-Trial-winning full-sister and G1 Preis der Diana fourth Tusked Wings (Ire), out of a dual-winning half to MGSW sire Tertullian (Miswaki) and G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit victor Terek (Ger) (Irish River {Fr}). Tangut's stakes-placed second dam Turbaine (Trempolino) is a half-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine and vaunted matriarch Urban Sea (Miswaki).
“Tangut has come along well over the winter,” stated Wohler. “She is quick to hand now and is entered in both the [July 5] G1 Deutsches Derby [at Hamburg] and the {Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf].”
Memories of Pik Konig (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}) sporting the Albert Darboven colours and flashing home in the 1992 G1 Deutsches Derby, the first of Wohler's five in the race, remain fresh. His winning surge underneath the stands left such an impression on locals that the Hamburg complex now houses a lounge named in the homebred's honour. Mi Emma (Ger) (Silvano {Ger}) added a second Classic for the axis in 2007 and the current crop of hopefuls features another still engaged in both Derby and Oaks.
Russian Souffle (Ger) (f, 3, Soldier Hollow {GB}–Russian Samba {Ire} {SW-Ger}, by Laroche {Ger}), hitherto untried, is reported to be a strong, well-made filly. Out of Listed Frankfurter Stutenpreis victress Russian Samba, the April-foaled homebred bay is a sibling of dual G3 Preis der Deutschen Einheit scorer and G1 Deutsches Derby third Russian Tango (Ger) (Tertullian) and Listed Derby Trial-placed duo Russian Bolero (Ger) (Tertullian) and Russian Song (Ger) (Singspiel {Ire}).
“Russian Souffle is a very talented filly and should do well,” the trainer said. “She is entered for both the [July 5] G1 Deutsches Derby [at Hamburg] and the {Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf].”
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