Grosser Preis von Baden

The Tattersalls Somerville Sale has meant that a return to Newmarket could be delayed no longer but this column sprang, or perhaps staggered, into life on the final day of Baden-Baden's Grosse Woche. The scribbling started reasonably early on Sunday morning from a desk in the press room that boasts one of the best views in the racing world, looking out across the turf to the wooded mountains of the Black Forest. It was also the desk that was once occupied by British-born but German-based racing correspondent David Connolly-Smith, who...

The 153rd Grosser Preis von Baden, which has doubled in value to €400,000 for 2023, has drawn 46 entries at its early closing stage, including 10 from Godolphin and seven trained by Joseph O'Brien. On the home front, defending champion Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) takes top billing for trainer Sarah Steinberg, and his compatriots with entries include last year's Deutsches Derby winner Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Tunnes (Ger) (Giuliani {Ger}), the half-brother to 2021 Grosser Preis von Baden and Arc winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Last year's G1...

There is a charming tradition for the large crowd at Baden-Baden races to applaud the runners as the field passes the post for the first time, never mind in the closing stages. For Sunday's racegoers, many of whom arrived with well-behaved dogs and sometimes less well-behaved children, the excitement level reached near-fever pitch as Frankie Dettori urged home German racing's current hero, Torquator Tasso (Ger). At the post the pair went down by just a head to the winner Mendocino (Ger), another son of Adlerflug (Ger) ridden by the man...

Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) remains in contention for Sunday's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden following the latest confirmation stage on Monday. The 5-year-old defending champion could face up to seven rivals in his first race with Frankie Dettori in the saddle. His regular rider Rene Piechulek is required to ride Mendocino (Ger) Adlerflug {Ger}).  Also in the potential line-up for Sunday's feature is the German Derby winner Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who followed up his Classic success with victory in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis.  Twelve months ago, Torquator...

"I can't say I'm not fine because I'm such a lucky man in the last two years with my hobby of breeding horses. It's not a normal position to be in." So says Paul Vandeberg, breeder not only of the reigning Arc hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) but also of Tünnes (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}), who as a 2-year-old last season won the G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen. The colts are half-brothers and, remarkably, their dam Tijuana (Ger) (Toylsome {GB}) is the only mare owned by the Dutch breeder. It is...

The 152nd G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, set to be run on Sunday, Sept. 4, has attracted an international entry of 48 horses, including the defending champion and Arc hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). The German champion is joined on the list by last year's runner-up, the 2021 Deutsches Derby winner Sisfahan (Fr) (Isfahan {Ger}), as well as recent Baden-Baden Group 2 winner Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). A strong overseas entry for the 2,400m contest at Iffezheim includes last year's Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) ((Frankel {GB})...

Baden-Baden's 'Grosse Woche', which includes some top-class racing action alongside music festivals and Germany's major yearling sale at BBAG, begins on Sunday, with the G3 Preis der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe as the highlight of an 11-race card. After a 10-month break, and with the racecourse at Iffezheim under new management, the 'Super Sunday' fixture ushers in four meetings--down from six in previous years--throughout the week, culminating in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden the following Sunday. Among those set to line up in this Sunday's Group 3 contest over 2,000 metres is...