Plenty of Classic Prospects For Klug

By Sean Cronin & Christa Riebel

Germany's juvenile contingent of 2019 was led with distinction by G1 Criterium International hero Alson (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who has since transferred stables from Jean-Pierre Carvalho to Andre Fabre; and the Henk Grewe-trained MGSW domestic Horse of the Year Rubaiyat (Fr) (Areion {Ger}), whose ambitions were detailed in these columns last week.

With the country now set to gain a European foothold when racing resumes on May 1, a positive focus turns to programming and the usually unwelcome headaches associated with formulating plans for the months ahead. Multiple champion and Classic-winning conditioner Markus Klug is no stranger to wrestling with such logistics, having realised his vocation earlier this century.

Born in Romania, Klug's childhood years in close proximity of Baden-Baden's Iffezheim track provided the grounding for a training career which kicked into gear at the end of 2002 and was upgraded to public status, located at Gestut Rottgen's Heumar complex, in August 2010. Gestut Gorlsdorf's homebred Hey Little Gorl (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}) secured a first Classic triumph, in the 2013 G3 Deutsches St Leger, and the trainer's arrival was heralded when Sea the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) added another in the following year's G1 Deutsches Derby. Berlin Berlin (GB) (Dubai Destination) ran second in Hoppegarten's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin soon after and contributed to a haul which culminated in a first trainers' championship that year.

The following season would not reach such heady heights, though standout performances include a G3 Prix der Winterkonigin win for Dhaba (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), a second for subsequent MGSW G2 German 2000 Guineas runner-up Degas (Ger) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten and a third for Wunder (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in Munich's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis.

Klug regained his trainers' crown in 2016 after Near England (Ire) (Lord of England {Ger}) garnered a third Classic for the yard in the G3 Deutsches St Leger and Well Spoken (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) prevailed in the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin. Dschingis Secret (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) posted a third in that term's G1 Deutsches Derby and played his part with victory in the 2017 G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin as the Heumar franchise headed the trainers' standings once more. He was aided, in no small measure, by Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) saluting in both G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Preis von Europa while a failed three-pronged attempt on the G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen meant the team fell short in its quest for a clean sweep of the domestic juvenile pattern. Weltstar (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) was one step ahead of stablemate Destino (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), when fourth in that Krefeld event, and he maintained that edge as the pair embarked on an exactafest in the G2 Union-Rennen and G1 Deutsches Derby.

Another trainers' accolade followed with a fourth G3 Preis der Winterkonigin, courtesy of Whispering Angel (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), the icing on 2018's cake. While the trainers' title was relinquished to Henk Grewe last year, Gestut Brummerhof's homebred Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) led the way for Klug's first renewal of Dusseldorf's G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks, and a sixth domestic Classic conquest.

With those achievements now consigned to the annals, the trainer's attention is very much on the present and he evidenced this by taking time out of his schedule to give a taste of upcoming plans for promising sophomores under his care, nominating a quartet yet to appear on the radar.

Coming good, and then some, on the faith invested by Gestut Rottgen, he has celebrated a fair slice of top-level success alongside that advocate, having annexed consecutive editions of the G1 Deutsches Derby for Rottgen with Windstoss and Weltstar. While that duo remain on duty for connections–both are entered in Cologne's May 3 G2 Gerling-Preis–the trainer pinpointed a once-raced maiden lurking in the ranks. Kaspar (Ger) (c, 3, Pivotal {GB}–Kastila {Ger}, by Sternkonig {Ire}), from a strong Rottgen family featuring G1 Derby Italiano-winning sire Kallisto (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}), was betrayed by inexperience in his lone freshman outing–running very greenly and finishing fourth of six–when handed a low-key introduction over 7 1/2 furlongs on good-to-soft ground at Halle as October drew to a close.

The March-foaled homebred, knocked down for €140,000 when passing through BBAG's September fixture the year before, is kin to three black-type performers, namely G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 runner-up Kassiano (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), G1 Preis von Europa third Kasalla (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and three-time Group 3-placed Kastano (Ger) (Nathaniel {Ire}). He has come along greatly for that initial effort and Klug has outlined lofty targets for the chestnut.

He explained, “Kaspar is definitely a stayer and holds entries for all the leading races of his generation. His targets are the [May 24] G3 Fruhjahrs Preis – Derby Trial [at Baden-Baden], [Cologne's June 14] G2 Union-Rennen and [Hamburg's July 5] G1 Deutsches Derby, in that order. He is set to make his seasonal debut [in a 10-furlong maiden] at Hannover on May 1.”

It's been a year or three since Ordonnanz (Ger) (Fulmen {GB}) emerged from the 19th century to secure a first Preis der Diana for Gestut Gorlsdorf. Sea the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) has since created a high water mark in the G1 Deutsches Derby, but victories in the former contest remain scarce for the circa 137-year-old wellspring. With Germany's authorities adapting and improvising to produce an impressive calendar, hopes are high for the hitherto unbeaten homebred Snow (Ger) (f, 3, Sea the Moon {Ger}–Snow Ballerina {GB}, by Sadler's Wells), who posted a one-length debut win in a 7 1/2-furlong maiden heat–and wouldn't it be the Sea the Moon-Rennen–on soft ground at Dresden one Wednesday morning in November. Produced by a half-sister to MG1SW sire Lammtarra (Nijinsky), the February-foaled chestnut is kin to G3 Prix Fille de l'Air victress Powder Snow (Dubawi {Ire}) and Listed Woodcote S. third Sea of Snow (Distorted Humor).

“Snow is the winner of her only race to date and will, ultimately, be one for the longer trips,” Klug revealed. “She is entered in all the big fillies' races [including Dusseldorf's Aug. 2 G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks] with the [May 17] G3 Karin Baronin von Ullmann – Schwarzgold-Rennen [at Cologne] her first planned option.”

Klug will relish an opportunity to mark the tenth anniversary of his tenure as a public trainer with a second victory in Dusseldorf's Aug. 2 G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks. The aforementioned Snow (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) is one of 14 still engaged in the 11-furlong Classic for the Heumar stable and that barrage includes the hitherto unraced Sea the Gold (Ger) (f, 3, Golden Horn {GB}–Sanwa {Ger}, by Monsun {Ger}), another one to slide off Gorlsdorf's relentless conveyor belt. The trainer has the benefit of recent experience in this field, having scooped his lone Preis der Diana success in last year's edition with Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), who also went untried as a juvenile and thus the profile is familiar.

Sea the Gold, who was bought back for 475,000gns as a Tattersalls December foal, is bred in the purple being a half-sister to Sea the Moon (Ger). Her dam Sanwa (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) is a full-sister to the G1 Deutsches Derby-winning pair Samum (Ger) and Schiaparelli (Ger) and to G1 Preis der Diana heroine Salve Regina (Ger). Stamina, the trainer states, is not cause for undue concern.

“Sea the Gold is regally bred and should ideally be suited by distances between 10 and 11 furlongs. Her first option could be a maiden [over 11 furlongs] at Cologne in May [17] and her main target is the [Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf].”

Gestut Park Wiedingen has achieved major success, not least with resident sire Soldier Hollow (GB) (In the Wings {GB}), in its fledgling existence and another product of the stud's banner mating is the latest to provide Classic aspirations going forward. Deia (Ger) (f, 3, Soldier Hollow {GB}–Divya {Ger}, by Platini {Ger}) is as yet unraced and also fits the profile of last year's G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks heroine Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) at this stage. The March-foaled bay is her dam's fifth foal, all four older siblings are winners and black-type performers by Soldier Hollow, headed by G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin-winning German Horse of the Year Dschingis Secret (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and GSW G1 Deutsches Derby second Destino (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). She is another homebred poised for action in the higher echelons, according to her trainer.

“Deia is a staying type and entered for all the leading fillies' races, including the [May 31] G2 Diana-Trial [at Hoppegarten] and, naturally, the [Aug. 2] G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks [at Dusseldorf],” Klug explained. “She has shown considerable talent and I would be very much surprised if she is not able to gain black-type.”