German Group Races in April 2025 - Preview Bavarian Classic
- Julian Schaffelhofer
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
There are certain dates in the racing calendar that, in my opinion, always indicate the ‘current state’ of the season. For me, these include the Easter race days, the spring meeting, Hamburg-Horn, Bad Harzburg and the Big Week in Iffezheim. Each of these events/meetings has its own unique factors that illustrate the overall picture of racing in Germany. From a sporting point of view, some of the first German group races of the season were also somewhat disappointing. Maybe not at first but definitely at second glance.
(I've already covered the Kalkmann-Frühjahrsmeile on my Instagram account in the past. The other two group races will follow here in this blog post).
In my opinion, the GR II Sauren Dachfondpreis (ex Gerling Prize) was indirectly categorised by the participation of DURAJI. The noble bred right brother of GHAIYYATH is stabled with trainer legend Dermot Weld, who was also present in Cologne with his stable jockey. At the beginning of the week, the Dubawi son was quoted at prices of up to 35:1, while on the day of the race himself he was going for 5.9:1. We are not talking about a seasoned world-class galloper, but about a horse from a terrific quarter who was only able to lay down his maiden in June 2024. Without ever having seen a track again. Not only the trainer, but also the bettors believed that a very, very dark and unrecognised horse from an eternally long break could run well against our top horses, otherwise the long and exhausting journey would not have been undertaken. ALLENO improved once again and proved that he belongs in this class, at least nationally. Let's see where he can go this year. LORDANO certainly deserves more attention over the longer distances, so I'll stick with him. More was hoped for in RASHFORD's quarters, especially as INTERNAUTE also ran hugely in the GR III race at Longchamp on Sunday.
A similar situation on Sunday in Krefeld in the Dr Busch Memorial. The English favourite ETERNAL ELIXIR was defeated by the well-run NAMARON due to the course of the race. However, it is unclear how good the race really was. MON SCHATZI, better known as a terrific two-year-old and good earner from France, ran rather out of a lack of alternatives and in the classic ‘on the doorstep’ manner.
NEXT MINE - a great winner in the auction race in Munich, but still rather unknown - could be ‘all or nothing’.
TURLOW won his debut in Baden-Baden and certainly has talent. However, in my opinion he does not belong to the first set of the Asterblüte stable.
NAME LORD was placed ahead of Zauberkönig, but was beaten more than 10 lengths by the winner in this race.
I am very curious and sceptical whether NAMARON can show his 93 GAG in the long run.
The Bavarian Classic takes place tomorrow. The racing club can plan with six horses, whereby the late entries of ABANDO (Waldemar Hickst) and ZUCKERHUT (Peter Schiergen) are certainly to be welcomed.
ABANDO, a still winless stallion by ADLERFLUG, is now trying his hand directly at this level. In Düsseldorf, he was still very much hanging on and still looked very green, but in my opinion he goes into the race as an outsider with a good chance. If Waldemar Hickst withdraws EAGLE EMBLEM from the race and nominates ABANDO instead, there should be a bit of guts there too and ABANDO could secure his mark for the Derby. AQUAMAN won in good style in Cologne and his form was at least boosted by the run-in of Delgardo/Hochkönig on Easter race day in Cologne.
LAZIO is certainly a great horse, and I myself am also an avowed fan of his stallion MAKE BELIEVE. However, I am always cautious with great two-year-olds, it remains to be seen whether they will also become great three-year-olds. I am also extremely cautious with form from Italian races, as they can be worth ‘all or nothing’. The winless ORIENTAL STAR finished fifth on his seasonal debut in Cologne, this form can never be enough.
PATH OF SOLDIER is a fine colt who certainly wasn't a classic two-year-old, but was able to win there at the second attempt in Düsseldorf. I think the reason for shortening the two-year-old campaign could favour him as a three-year-old on his seasonal debut.
ZUCKERHUT won easily in Mülheim with a nice turn of foot - but it is unclear which opponents he was up against. I can't imagine that some of the horses behind him will run in the group races later on. The late nomination from the champion stable naturally gives him the courage to run well.
It will be interesting to see what the next group races will bring. Hanover also offers a nice card with Listed races. And Leipzig also traditionally gallops on the first of May. Let's just hope that the next few weeks don't suffer in sporting terms due to the large number of events. Good Luck everyone.
JS
