By Sean Cronin
Eckhard Sauren's ultra consistent Assistent (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}–Anna Kalla {Ger}, by Kallisto {Ger}), who finished in the top four in five prior Group 1 contests, gained compensation for his second in last year's G1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern with a late surge for glory in this year's renewal at Munich.
The Henk Grewe trainee, who tuned up for this with a 3 1/4-length tally in last month's G3 Herbst-Trophy at Baden-Baden, employed patient tactics and was anchored in rear until well beyond halfway. Coming under pressure on the turn for home, the 62-5 chance went fifth approaching the quarter-mile marker and stayed on in relentless fashion to deny the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Tiffany (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) by a neck in the dying strides. Last year's G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), making his first start since annexing July's G3 Bahrain Trophy, held every chance inside the final quarter-mile and kept on well to finish 1 1/2 lengths adrift in third.
“This horse is so close to my heart and to win is great,” said winning rider Thore Hammer-Hansen. “I am so very happy for my boss Eckhard Sauren, who has invested so much into his horses over the years and now finally gets his first Group 1 winner. At first I didn't think Assistent would make it from where he came from, but he gave his all and delivered beautifully.”
Owner Eckhard Sauren added, “I am lost for words, what a race and what a fight. I never thought we could win such a strongly contested race, and it was so close, but this horse has got such a big heart. He was awesome.”
Retirement now beckons for the winner, according to trainer Henk Grewe, who commented. “This is so emotional. It was his last race and, now a Group 1 winner, he will retire to stud.”
Pedigree Notes
Assistent, who becomes the fifth Group 1 winner for his sire (by Sea The Stars {Ire}), is the third of eight foals and lone stakes performer produced by an unraced full-sister to G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis victrix Anna Katharina (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}), herself the dam of Listed Weidenpescher Steher Cup victrix Ankunft (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The March-foaled dark bay's dam is also kin to G3 Furstenberg-Rennen victor Adrian (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Listed Henkel Stutenpreis winner Attica (GB) (Tai Chi {Ger}). Assistent's younger siblings include a yearling colt and weanling colt by Best Solution (Ire). Descendants of his G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis-winning third dam Anna Thea (Ire) (Turfkonig {Ger}) include G2 Derby Italiano hero Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) and multiple Group-winning G2 German 2000 Guineas runner-up Aspectus (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}). Anna Thea is the leading performer for Anstandige (Ger) (Star Appeal {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine and blue hen Anna Paola (Ger) (Prince Ippi {Ger}), whose Group 1-winning descendants include G1 Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
last group 1 of european gallop of the year 2024
🇩🇪 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern
Münich – Groupe 1 – 3 ans et plus – 2400m – 11 Pts – 155 000 €🏆 🥇Assistent (m) (Ger) 🏇Thore Hammer-Hansen @ThoreHammer
🥈Tiffany
🥉Ancient Wisdom📖(Sea… pic.twitter.com/rUtolgVvtu
— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) November 10, 2024
Sunday, Munich, Germany
GROSSER ALLIANZ PREIS VON BAYERN-G1, €155,000, Munich, 11-10, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:37.46, sf.
1–ASSISTENT (GER), 132, h, 5, by Sea The Moon (Ger)
1st Dam: Anna Kalla (Ger), by Kallisto (Ger)
2nd Dam: Anna Desta (Ger), by Desert Style (Ire)
3rd Dam: Anna Thea (Ire), by Turfkonig (Ger)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€58,000 Ylg '20 BBAGS). O-Eckhard Sauren; B-Gestut Rottgen (GER); T-Henk Grewe; J-Thore Hammer-Hansen. €100,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ity & SP-Fr, 23-7-5-3, €434,900. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Tiffany (Ire), 129, f, 4, Farhh (GB)–Affinity (GB), by Sadler's Wells. O/B-Elite Racing Club (IRE); T-Sir Mark Prescott. €30,000.
3–Ancient Wisdom (Fr), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Golden Valentine (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (€2,000,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods SC (FR); T-Charlie Appleby. €15,000.
Margins: NK, 1HF, 1. Odds: 12.40, 5.20, 3.50.
Also Ran: Lordano (Ger), Marquisat (Ire), Atoso (Ger), Quantanamera (Ger), Augustus (Ger), Panthera (Fr), Straight (Ger), War Chimes (Fr).
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