Tag Archive for: Baden-Baden

Goliath defeats Dubai Honour in Germany

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Goliath returned to something like his best form in the Grosser Preis von Baden to provide part-owner John Stewart with the perfect wedding present.

Returned to positive tactics – as he was when claiming the La Coupe at ParisLongchamp earlier in the summer – Francis-Henri Graffard’s five-year-old was making a welcome return to the Group One winner’s enclosure having last won at the highest level in Ascot’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year.

With usual pilot Christophe Soumillon required in France, Clement Lecoeuvre got the chance to deputise aboard Goliath and his enterprising ride paid dividend when able to pinch the stands-side rail entering the home straight before galloping clear of William Haggas’ Dubai Honour.

Goliath’s victory represented a triumphant homecoming for the German-bred son of Adlerflug who was carrying the colours of his part-owner Philip Baron Von Ullmann – who retained a stake in the gelding when Resolute Racing’s John Stewart got involved last year.

Stewart said: “We are very pleased with the win and it’s great to see him back in top form. We are especially happy for our partner Philip Baron Von Ullman to get this win in Germany’s most prestigious race.

“We will talk with Francis and consider the Breeders’ Cup or Japan Cup as potential options next.

“Chelsey and I would have been there but we had our wedding yesterday in Kentucky. This is the best wedding gift!”

Rebel’s Romance sidesteps Baden-Baden outing

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Rebel’s Romance will miss his intended outing in the 155th Grosser Preis von Baden on Sunday due to unsuitable ground at Baden-Baden.

Charlie Appleby’s stable favourite is a regular visitor to Germany, having won four Group Ones there already.

He was due to clash with William Haggas’ globetrotter Dubai Honour, last year’s King George winner Goliath and the German Derby winner Hochkonig, who is also a non-runner.

He could still have his next outing in Germany, however, with a trip to Cologne for the Preis von Europa a possibility.

“All is well with him, it’s just the ground, it’s going to be on the slower side of good,” said Appleby.

“It will be very tacky so we’ve decided to wait.

“We’ll look towards Cologne next or he could go to the Joe Hirsch (Turf Classic at Aqueduct).”

Dubai Honour goes for Baden-Baden gold

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Dubai Honour could set up an exciting tilt at the Japan Cup when he makes his first European start of the year at Baden-Baden on Sunday.

William Haggas’ globetrotting star finished second to Fantastic Moon when making the trip to Germany 12 months ago and will try to go one better in the Grosser Preis von Baden, as he faces off against the likes of fellow British raider Rebel’s Romance.

“He’s absolutely fine and this was always going to be his comeback race,” said Haggas.

“It looks a strong race with Rebel’s Romance and Goliath but it’s a Group One, so it should be a strong race

“He’s not getting any younger but he’s still all there. He’s retained all his enthusiasm and I think he’s in good form and bound to run a good race on Sunday, even though he has those two rated higher than him to contend with.”

Dubai Honour has famously thrived in Australia and took his Group One haul to four when claiming the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill in April, before also running with credit when second to Australian ace Via Sistina later that month.

The seven-year-old, who was last seen at Sha Tin in May, has Japan as his likely destination this autumn, with the Somerville Lodge handler eyeing a tilt at the Japan Cup.

“He won’t be going to Australia this autumn for their spring and we’re going to consider the Japan Cup this year because he won a ‘win-and-you’re-in’ race in Australia,” continued Haggas.

“He could go and do his stuff in Hong Kong, but we might try something different.”

The Strikin Viking scores in Germany

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The Strikin Viking secured his first success since his racecourse debut as he blazed a trail in the Group Three Casino Baden-Baden Goldene Peitsche in Germany.

The three-year-old – named in honour of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland – made a splash when first appearing on the track at York in June 2024, making all for a comfortable maiden success before being beaten just half a length by subsequent Classic winner Henri Matisse when upped to Group Two company in the Railway Stakes.

Following that run, Wathnan Racing bought the son of Inns Of Court from Middleham Park Racing for an undisclosed sum and switched him from Kevin Ryan to Hamad Al Jehani – but after an initial second in the Richmond Stakes, The Strikin Viking was beaten in two further juvenile runs before being gelded over the winter.

Down the field on his first two starts this term, The Strikin Viking was only a neck off victory at Chester last time and he built on that with a determined effort over six furlongs at Baden-Baden.

Racing prominently for Faleh Bughanaim, The Strikin Viking kept finding for pressure to hold off the challenge of War Bride by three-quarters of a length, with fellow British raiders Kylian and Arabie finishing fourth and eighth respectively.

Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown said: “It was absolutely fantastic, delighted. It’s Wathnan’s first winner in Germany and how apt that it should be achieved by a Qatari trainer and a Qatari jockey.

“All credit to Hamad and his team as he hasn’t been straightforward. Things didn’t go to plan last year at Goodwood (in the Richmond) and we sort of lost him a bit after that, but everyone has been very patient with him, we’ve obviously gelded him now and all credit to them for getting him back.

“He ran very well at Chester last time and it was a good performance today. I’m just delighted for Hamad and his team and Faleh as well, who I thought gave him a very good ride.

“Today was the plan, so we’ll enjoy that and wait until Hamad and Faleh get back and have a debrief with them. I’ll talk to all the team and see if we can come up with a plan.”