By Sean Cronin
Newtown Anner Stud's homebred Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Monday Monday {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) will make a second visit to Dusseldorf this Sunday–for an enticing renewal of the €500,000 166th G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana (German Oaks)–and May's G2 German 1000 Guineas heroine is set to encounter 15 rivals as part of a fully subscribed cast of 16 in the Grafenberg venue's 11-furlong annual highlight. The Karl Burke-trained G3 Prestige Stakes and G2 May Hill Stakes winner ran second when stepping up to 10 furlongs for Newcastle's G3 Hoppings Stakes last month and is set to make first start beyond that trip. Adrie de Vries, in the plate for her 2 1/4-length Classic win, renews his association with the 3-1 morning-line favourite, who will bid to become the third elite-level winner for her Dalham Hall Stud-based sire (by Dubawi {Ire}) from stall five. The two lowest-rated of the 18 overnight nominees, Ninna Best (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}) and Fang Mich (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), did not have their entries franked.
Darnation is part of an international quartet also featuring the Fabrice Chappet-trained G1 Prix de Diane sixth Bubble Gum (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), recently acquired from breeder Rashit Shaykhutdinov by the shrewd operators of Australian Bloodstock. The Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett vehicle has a perfect three-for-three tally and its prior renewals have come by way of Salomina (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), who won sporting the Gestut Bona silks in 2012, Turfdonna (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}) in 2015 and Toskana Belle (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}) in 2022. Jamie Spencer is booked to become the filly's fifth different rider in as many starts.
“We are incredibly excited about Bubble Gum's prospects in the German Oaks,” revealed Murrell. “Our success in this race has been unparalleled, and we have high hopes that she will continue this tradition. Fabrice Chappet has done an exceptional job in preparing her for this moment, and we are confident she will deliver a strong performance. Bubble Gum is one of the most exciting and promising horses we have purchased in the last four to five years. She was behind Sparkling Plenty in the French Oaks and that horse has since been sold for a fortune. Importantly, other runners in that French Oaks have won, franking their form, this shows you the level of racing she has performed at.”
Chappet added, “Bubble Gum has shown tremendous promise and has been in excellent form leading up to Sunday. We are looking forward to a competitive race and are hopeful for a successful outcome. Barrier draws will be crucial at Dusseldorf. She is still in the [G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe], so we have a big opinion of her.” Connections' hopes for a favourable berth were dashed as Bubble Gum drew stall 12.
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Video: G1 German Oaks-bound Bubble Gum (red cap) exercises at Chantilly recently
Kirsten Rausing's Lingua Franca (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), a Sir Mark Prescott trained-homebred who broke through at stakes level when saluting in one of two prior runs over this race's 11-furlong distance, is drawn in seven while Joseph O'Brien's well-travelled G2 Ribblesdale Stakes fifth Je Zous (Ire) (Zoustar {Aus}) completes the foreign raiding party and gets stall 11.
The domestic defence is headed by Gestut Rottgen's G3 Diana-Trial victrix Erle (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), who has been allocated the inside gate and will be joined by Rottgen's Maxim Pecheur stablemate and G1 Deutsches Derby ninth Weltbeste (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). Andreas Suborics was successful aboard Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) in 2004, but is thus far winless in the role of trainer. His two entries are German 1000 Guineas seventh and G3 Diana-Trial runner-up Lady Mary (Ger) (Lawman {Fr}) and G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis runner-up Diamond Crown (Ger) (Cracksman {GB}). The latter is drawn widest of all in stall 16. Andreas Wohler, the leading active conditioner with six prior victories, will send out Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), Hope And Believe (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Night Of Laki's (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}). The line-up is completed by Princess Valentina (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Sweet Summer (Ger) (Waldgeist {GB}), the Sarah Steinberg duo Diya (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}) and New York City (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Listed Dusseldorf Diana-Trial winner Ashana (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). Ashana will have the assistance of Andrasch Starke, who has garnered a record six prior renewals.
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