Horse racing in Germany

Kirsten Rausing's 4-year-old filly Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) had yet to taste defeat in four prior outings this term and lined up for Sunday's G1 Allianz Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich coming back off wins in Hoppegarten's Aug. 8 G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and Cologne's Sept. 26 G1 Preis von Europa last time. The homebred grey's second dam Albanova (GB) (Alzao), who was also conditioned by Sir Mark Prescott, had rattled off a trio of German Group 1 triumphs in a nine-week spree during 2004 and she emulated...

German racing is into its rhythm again and Sunday's G3 Karin Baronin von Ullmann - Schwarzgold-Rennen at Cologne sees the G2 German 1000 Guineas hopefuls put through their paces. Gestut Hony-Hof's Ocean Fantasy (Fr) (Make Believe {GB}) is back from her winter slumber, having capped her 2-year-old season with success in Baden-Baden's G3 Preis der Winterkonigin in October. There is every reason that her short-head defeat of Tickle Me Green (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) is solid form, with that rival running third in Monday's G3 Prix de la Grotte...

Germany gains a welcome foothold in Europe, today, as the first of the continent's big five racing jurisdictions to reopen for business and, with France preparing for a Monday restart too, the enforced period of inactivity appears to be at an end. Scandinavia has kept the ball rolling while elsewhere lay dormant, but now the spotlight shines on Hannover, which plays host to the country's first Thoroughbred race since Stall vom Odon's 9-year-old gelding Kitaneso (GB) (Medicean {GB}) prevailed in a 13 1/2-furlong selling heat, the closing act of Dortmund's...

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...

Racing officials in Germany are hopeful racing might resume at the beginning of next measures, with the caveat that any meetings will be hosted under the strictest of conditions. Plans are afoot to have 23 racedays from May 1 through mid-June with racing at one track only on any allocated day of racing. Meetings will be staged without spectators and on the basis of reduced prizemoney levels. Pattern races originally slated for April will take place during the initial tranche of meets.