Dr Stefan Oschmann

Darius Racing's Group 3 winner Isfahani (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}--Identity {Ger}, by Manduro {Ger}), who was runner-up in the 2021 G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks), died suddenly on Thursday. An autopsy is pending. Dr. Stefan Oschmann's Racing Manager Holger Faust said in a statement, "Unfortunately we have to announce that Isfahani passed away suddenly and surprisingly today. We requested an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. It's very sad, she was Dr. Oschmann's favorite horse." Bred by Gestut Karlshof, the chestnut filly was purchased by Faust for €36,000...

SANKT WENDEL, Germany--Among the current batch of second-crop stallions in Europe, only two thus far have sired a Group 1 winner. The all-conquering Mehmas (Ire), last season's record-breaking champion freshman, has two, while the other name on the list may be less familiar to those outside Germany. Isafahan (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), bred by his trainer Andreas Wohler, won the G1 Deutsches Derby of 2016, and five years later his first-crop Sisfahan (Fr), also chestnut and bearing the same green and pink colours of Darius Racing, emulated his father...

Among the European nations, it may well be Germany that gets racing back up and running first, and two men who will be extra pleased to see it resume are Dr Stefan Oschmann and his bloodstock advisor Holger Faust. Through his Darius Racing operation, Oschmann is the owner of the 2019 Horse of the Year in Germany, the unbeaten Rubaiyat (Fr) (Areion {Ger}), who is now favourite for the G2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas). The colt, who beat his elders to the title after his faultless juvenile campaign which saw...