By Sean Cronin & Christa Riebel
Henk Grewe, Germany's reigning champion trainer, was born in December 1982 and introduced to the joys of turfdom early in life. His parents owned racehorses and, having ridden his first winner at the age of 16, he was champion amateur rider in 2002. Serving an apprenticeship under leading conditioner Mario Hofer, his elevation to the professional ranks was rewarded with career highlights aboard Prince Flori (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) in the 2006 G3 Fruhjahrs Dreijahrigen-Preis, Caudillo (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}) in the 2009 Listed St Leger Italiano and Ovambo Queen (Ger) (Kalatos {Ger}) in the 2010 G3 Walther J Jacobs-Stutenpreis. However, Grewe was unable to maintain a viable racing weight and, after racking up 290 wins in the saddle, arrived upon the decision in 2011 to plot a fresh course. His change of direction was swift and, following a near three-year period indentured as assistant to Sascha Smrczek in Dusseldorf, he graduated to become a fully fledged public trainer as July ticked over into August 2014.
The now 37-year-old, initially operating out of Michael Trybuhl's former base with a team of 13, soon embarked on a rapid renovation of Ralf Suerland's nearby 40-box yard on the western edge of Cologne's Weidenpescher sprawl. He earned immediate brand recognition for a budding enterprise founded alongside Christoph Holschbach by saddling that associate's Anaximenes (Ire) (Anabaa) to become his first runner and winner within days of stepping up to the plate. The trainer maintained a steady flow of winners through the teething stages and bolstered domestic tallies with a sizeable number of scores gained in France.
Indeed, the French connection paid dividends when Darius Racing's Farshad (Ger) (Kendargent {Fr}) became the stable's first black-type triumph in Deauville's 2017 Listed Prix de Tourgeville and Grewe's regular “Tour de France” forays outweighed the inland contribution by number of winners in both 2017 and 2018. The latter year, which witnessed a new high of 49 in France, was also a benchmark season at home for the trainer with 42 victories propelling him up the standings to a fifth-place finish in the trainers' table. He was aided, in no small measure, by a first top-level victory courtesy of Khan (Ger) (Santiago {Ger}) in the G1 Preis von Europa at his local track while another Darius Racing-owned and Gestut Karlshof-bred incumbent, Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}), secured Krefeld's G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen. Gestut Hachtsee homebred Taraja (Ger) (High Chaparral {Ire}) had set the ball rolling earlier in the year when claiming the team's first pattern-race win in Hamburg's G3 Mehl Mulhens Trophy and Gestut Karlshof homebred Sky Full of Stars (Ger) (Kendargent {Fr}) was to the fore with a second in Baden-Baden's G2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis. Other notable efforts included a runner-up finish for Night of England (GB) (Lord of England {Ger}) in the G1 Preis der Diana, Malakeh (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) placing in both G2 German 1000 Guineas and G2 Meilen Trophy and a second for Django Freeman (Ger) (Campanologist) in the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten.
While 2018 was the breakthrough campaign, last term witnessed additional landmarks for Grewe as he collected a personal-best 62 prizes at home–enhanced by a further 24 in France–and surpassed the number of winners he recorded as a jockey en route to a maiden trainers' championship, albeit without a Group 1 success this time around. Germany's unbeaten Horse of the Year Rubaiyat (Fr) (Areion {Ger}) led the way for the yard by saluting in Cologne's G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten and Milan's G2 Gran Criterium while Winterfavoriten runner-up and stablemate Wonderful Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) led home another exacta for the team when bolting up by 12 lengths from Schwesterherz (Fr) (Areion {Ger}) in November's G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen at Krefeld. The older generations played a vital role too with Shalona (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) posting a second in the G2 German 1000 Guineas and Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) adding lustre to her resume with two placed efforts at the highest level and a win in Milan's G2 Gran Premio del Jockey Club. Enjoying a bumper semester with his 2-year-old crop, Grewe fell two shy of matching Heinz Jentzsch's seemingly unassailable 1983 record of 31 juvenile wins, but would have been heartened by stable stalwart Wisperwind (Ger) (It's Gino {Ger}) farming a 17th career victory earlier in the year.
Prior to last July's 150th renewal, Grewe's two rides as a jockey and two contenders as a trainer in the G1 Deutsches Derby reaped little. His record in Germany's Blue Riband reads: Prince Flori (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), ninth; Hoseo (Ger) (Konigstiger {Ger}), 17th; Khan (Ger) (Santiago {Ger}), 12th; and Jimmu (Ger) (Dalakhani {Ire}), seventh. Django Freeman (Ger) (Campanalogist) was transferred to dual G1 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Robert Hickmott after coming close to realising Grewe's dream last term, the G3 Bavarian Classic victor giving best only to Laccario (Ger) (Scalo {GB}) after a pulsating battle in the Hamburg straight.
One Austrian Derby victory notwithstanding, Classic success as a conditioner has thus far eluded Grewe, but soundings emanating from Weidenpesch indicate he has a stronger platform than ever before to strike gold in the short term. Grewe has geared down intensity levels in recent weeks, while still adhering to all mandatory safety measures imposed, but the team is nonetheless primed for an immediate assault once racing resumes. Rubaiyat (Fr) (Areion {Ger}), of course, is at the forefront of a powerful squad and retains entries in Cologne's June 5 German 2000 Guineas and Hamburg's July 12 G1 Deutsches Derby. Darius Racing's bay, who also has papers for Chantilly's July 5 G1 Prix du Jockey Club, is due to begin his sophomore campaign in Hoppegarten's May 10 G3 Dr Busch-Memorial. Stall Wasserfreunde's Wonderful Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) is not entered in the German 2000 Guineas, but mirrors Rubaiyat's remaining nominations while also holding steady for a tilt at the May 8 G3 Cologne Classic on his doorstep. With those stable figureheads set fair and Donjah pencilled in for more Group 1 events further along the line, Grewe cast his eyes over a selection of the talent within his circa 100-strong team and gave notice of lofty ambitions in mind for those down the list also held in high regard.
Eckhard Sauren's Schwesterherz (Fr) (f, 3, Areion {Ger}–Nouvelle Noblesse {Ger} {GSW-Ity & SP-Ger, $151,132}, by Singspiel {Ire}), bought back as a €52,000 BBAG October yearling, experienced a five-race juvenile campaign and impressed with a debut score at Deauville in July before running fourth of four in the G3 Prix du Calvados back on the Normandy coast. Second in a BBAG sales race at Dortmund next time, the homebred bay absorbed a hefty sideways bump when sixth in Baden-Baden's Oct. 20 G3 Preis der Winterkonigin and was cast adrift of stablemate Wonderful Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), but 3 1/4 lengths and more clear of the remainder, in Krefeld's Nov. 10 G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen last time. Produced by G3 Premio Dormello victress Nouvelle Noblesse (Ger) (Singspiel {Ire}), she is kin to four black-type performers headed by G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten victor Noble Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and stakes-winning G2 German 2000 Guineas third Noble Alpha (Ger) (Shamardal).
“Schwesterherz is a great filly with a big heart and should be able to stay,” Grewe said of the May 17 G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen, June 21 G2 German 1000 Guineas and Aug. 2 G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks entry. “She should win pattern races and is also entered for the [June 1] G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches [at ParisLongchamp] and the [July 5] G1 Prix de Diane [at Chantilly], although the former is probably too early for her under the given circumstances.”
Stefan Hahne's Flamingo Girl (Ger) (f, 3, Soldier Hollow {GB}–Flamingo Sky, by Silver Hawk) was in the other corner for that G3 Preis der Winterkonigin bumping match with Schwesterherz, finishing one place behind her stable companion in the last of four juvenile starts. She too debuted at Deauville, registering a promising fourth in August, before shedding maiden status in a Baden-Baden conditions heat and posting a third in Dusseldorf's Listed Winterkonigin-Trial in two outings the following month. Produced by an unraced half-sister to MG1SP G2 Preis der Diana-German Oaks heroine and G1 Deutsches Derby third Flamingo Road (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}), the €36,000 BBAG Premier yearling is a full-sister to dual stakes-winning G3 Herbst Stutenpreis placegetter Fosun (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). She shares her second dam Fabula Dancer (Northern Dancer) with G1 Irish Derby hero Frozen Fire (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}) and G1 Premio Roma and G2 Derby Italiano victor Feuerblitz (Ger) (Big Shuffle). “Flamingo Girl is very talented and set to make her seasonal debut in the [May 17] G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen [at Cologne] or the [May 16] Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis [at Dusseldorf],” her trainer revealed. “She should make her way to the [Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf] in time.”
The hitherto unraced Sunny Queen (Ger) (f, 3, Camelot%20(GB)#tot">Camelot (GB}–Suivi {Ger}, by Darshaan {GB}), who was knocked down for €35,000 as a BBAG Premier yearling, is a half-sister to Listed Hannover Derby-Trial victor Suestado (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and another in the ownership of Stefan Hahne. The February-foaled bay is out of the four-time winner Suivi (Ger) (Darshaan {GB}), herself kin to a quartet of black-type scorers including the stakes-winning dams of GSW G1 Deutsches Derby runner-up Savoir Vivre (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and MG1SW US champion Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), who in turn produced MG1SW dual Japanese champion Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}).
“Sunny Queen was not an early sort, but she is very talented and set to make her debut [in a May 7 maiden over 8 3/4 furlongs] at Hannover,” explained Grewe. “Hopefully, she will then contest a Listed race back at the same track [May 21 Kronimus Diana-Trial over 10 furlongs] with the Aug. 2 G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks marked as her big target.”
Stall Torjager's homebred Kalifornia Queen (Ger) (f, 3, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Kaldera {Ger} {Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 14f+ & GSW-Ger, $131,064}, by Sinndar {Ire}) made just one appearance as a juvenile, winning an 8 1/2-furlong maiden at Dusseldorf in September with a degree of panache. Hailing from the family of Germany's sole Triple Crown hero and MG1SW leading sire Konigsstuhl (Ger) (Dschingis Khan {Ger}), she has a pedigree that displays an affinity for longer distances. She is the lone foal produced by G3 Deutsches St Leger victress Kaldera (Ger) (Sinndar {Ire}), herself a half-sister to Listed Mannheim Steher-Cup winner Klungel (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) out of the 12-furlong Listed Berberis-Rennen victress Konigstochter (Ger) (Dai Jin {GB}). “Kalifornia Queen is a very talented filly and another who should be able to stay a trip,” said Grewe of the €70,000 BBAG October yearling, who is entered in a May 10 conditions heat over 10 furlongs at Berlin's Hoppegarten venue. “She will be prepared for the [May 31] G2 Diana-Trial [also at Hoppegarten] and then target the [Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf].”
Grewe's second pattern-race triumph as a trainer arrived in 2018 via the aforementioned achievement of Sky Full of Stars (Ger) (Kendargent {Fr}), who had previously finished sixth when another Gestut Karlshof homebred A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) ran second in Rome's 2017 G1 Premio Lydia Tesio. That Andreas Suborics trainee subsequently annexed Belmont Park's GI Just a Game S. and Keeneland's GI First Lady S. prior to going the way of Haruya Yoshida for $2-million at Fasig Tipton's 2018 November sale. Her homebred full-sister A Racing Beauty (Ger) (f, 3, Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Anabasis {Ger}, by High Chaparral {Ire}), who was led out unsold at €290,000 as an Arqana August yearling, cruised home for an impressive 2 1/2-length debut success tackling 7 1/2 furlongs at Baden-Baden in August, but had turned in her winter coat and was never a factor when eighth of 11 upped to one mile back at the Iffezheim course for the Oct. 20 G3 Preis der Winterkonigin. The February-foaled grey, who is out of a half-sister to MGSW sire Alianthus (Ger) (Hernando {Fr}) from a family including G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning matriarch Urban Sea (Miswaki), features in the nominations for ParisLongchamp's June 14 G1 Prix Saint-Alary and Chantilly's July 5 G1 Prix de Diane as well as holding Classic entries at home. Multiple engagements also include Hoppegarten's May10 G3 Dr Busch-Memorial and Dusseldorf's May 16 Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis. “A Racing Beauty won really well in her first start as a 2-year-old,” the trainer recalled. “However, we are not quite sure about her ideal distance just yet. She remains entered in both the [June 21] G2 German 1000 Guineas [at Dusseldorf] and G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at the same track] and is set for a programme targetting one or the other.”
Classic potential runs deep at Cologne's ground zero and Roland Lerner's Night Fever (Ger) (f, 3, Dylan Thomas {Ire}–Night Heart {Ire}, by High Chaparral {Ire}) is another well-regarded individual to merit the trainer's musings. Registering runner-up finishes in starts at Dusseldorf and Munich, she justified odds-on favouritism when breaking through in a Sept. 27 good-ground maiden over 9 1/4 furlongs at her local track last time. The €22,000 BBAG Premier yearling's dam is a winning half-sister to stakes-winning G1 Deutsches Derby third Near Honor (Ger) (Highest Honor {Fr}), stakes-winning G2 Oettingen-Rennen runner-up Near Dock (Ger) (Docksider) and the dual stakes-placed Near Galante (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}). The latter, in turn, produced MGSW G3 Deutsches St Leger victress Near England (Ire) (Lord of England {Ger}) and last term's G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen placegetter Near Poet (Ger) (Poet's Voice {GB}) while sire Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill) also had the Group 1-winning distaffers Nightflower (Ire) and Nymphea (Ire) from this family. “Night Fever ran very well at two, winning once and running second in her two other outings,” said Grewe. “She has improved over the winter and is a staying sort. The plan is for her to make her seasonal debut in stakes company at Hannover [in the May 21 Listed Kronimus Diana-Trial over 10 furlongs] and then go for the [Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf].”
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