The 2025 EMHF AGM and three trainers who topped their respective national championship tables for the first time last year
Last month we published tables of reigning National Trainers’ and Jockeys’ Champions. Here, we get to know two trainers who have become, for the first time, champions in their respective countries.
In Norway, Cathrine Erichsen finally broke a thirteen-year stranglehold which Niels Petersen had held on the title, while in Belgium, it was Nadine Verheyen who prevailed.
CATHRINE ERICHSEN
A lot has happened in Cathrine Erichsen’s career since we profiled her in our October - December issue back in 2019.
For Erichsen, a national rider’s title preceded her entry into the training ranks. “My journey with Thoroughbred horses began when I was introduced to them by some of my friends in secondary school, around the age of 13 or 14. I was instantly captivated by these beautiful creatures and fell in love with them. One of the most memorable moments of my life was riding in my first race at the age of 15; it was an exhilarating experience that gave me a tremendous sense of accomplishment. The following year, in 1986, I achieved my goal of becoming an amateur champion jockey”.
Erichsen’s career change to training was made at the tender age of 24. “When I first obtained my trainer's license, I set a five-year plan with the intention of eventually returning to my college studies in economics and marketing. However, here we are, nearly 30 years later!
“Reflecting on my journey as a trainer, I recognise that it has been quite challenging, particularly as a woman in this field. However, I feel privileged to have received strong support from my owners and to work alongside a reliable and competent team. Their belief in me and their hard work have been crucial to my success. I have always taken a hands-on approach, personally riding my horses, which has been both a healthy and educational experience. I have also been fortunate to meet many friendly people and wonderful horses along the way. Additionally, I've had the opportunity to travel extensively, which has enriched my journey. While this path has proven to be more challenging than I initially expected, I could not imagine my life without it”.
With Øvrevoll being the country’s sole gallop track, Norwegian-based trainers inevitably compete their horses in neighbouring countries, but Erichsen’s foreign forays have extended beyond Sweden and Denmark.
“Every year, I send my horses to compete in races in other Scandinavian countries, and I have also sent them to Germany, France, and Britain. I have won four Derby races and hope to achieve the same success in Sweden. I sent Albaran to Germany for the Hansa Preis, a Group 2 race, where he finished second. He then set a track record in the Scandinavian Open, a Group 3 race in Denmark, where he faced international competitors and won in a photo finish against Yoanna's Pace, the Group 1 St. Leger winner from England. His track record time still stands. Later, in 1999, we participated in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, where we didn’t win but competed against some of the best horses in the world. All the big names were there. That same year, Albaran also won the Stockholm Cup in Sweden and the Scandinavian Open in Denmark”.
Raids to Britain have met with notable success, with Easy Road, winning a Listed race at Doncaster in October 2015 and returning to Ascot a year later to win another Listed event, with the likes of Medicean Man and Sole Power in behind.
“Those trips are, without a doubt, some of the true highlights of my career. Not only did I take the bold step to travel to Britain, but I also succeeded, marking one of the most significant events I have ever experienced. I will never forget when the world renowned jockey, William Buick, mentioned how incredible it was for him to win a race on his new home turf with a horse trained in Norway. Being a guest on the Morning Line show and having the chance to express my joy repeatedly is a memory that many, including myself, will cherish. I vividly remember arriving at Ascot with Easy Road and seeing the Racing Post create a travel map for all the runners that day. We undoubtedly had the longest journey, traveling for days with several stopovers!”
The best horse to have been through Erichsen’s hands was probably, Duca Di Como, a predominantly dirt horse whom Erichsen sent over for the Wokingham two years ago and for whom the Breeders' Cup was once on the cards.
“I bought Duca di Como unseen at the Breeze-Up Sales when he was a two-year-old, based on advice from one of my contacts. Initially, my impression of him was somewhat disappointing - until I saw him working. That’s when I realised that this horse had real potential. He was quite immature and inexperienced, so I chose to wait until he turned three to start him in races. Once we began, he showcased exactly what I had anticipated. I had aspirations for him to compete in the Breeders' Cup. It's still frustrating to think about the opportunity we had to attend the Breeders' Cup with Duca when he was at his best, and we chose not to take that risk. The Wokingham marked the end of Duca's career. He had, quite literally, won everything in Scandinavia multiple times, so trying something new was an exciting challenge. He performed exceptionally well on both grass and dirt, and he still holds track records for milers in Scandinavia”.
So how, after decades of persistence, did Erichsen finally achieve her breakthrough trainers’ title?
“Although my superstar, Duca di Como, was not in his best shape, the rest of my horses stepped up and truly delivered. I had strong performers across all categories, from handicappers to homebreds and quality horses. Each one of them rose to the occasion, even though my horse material is smaller and simpler.
“Racing is a minor sport in Norway, which means that owners do not often reach out to you on their own. As a trainer, connecting with owners is a crucial part of my job, and while it can be time-consuming, it is also quite exciting. My background in college studies in economics and marketing often proves beneficial in this aspect of my work”.
Like most horses in training in Norway, Erichsen’s are trained on the track. Of course, the Norwegian climate poses challenges, but, also, according to Erichsen, offers unique advantages, too. “Based on my experience, training horses during the winter in the beautiful snow that is common in Norway is highly beneficial. Snow can be prepared in various ways to create an excellent footing for the horses. It cools their legs and has a natural give, making it gentle on their joints. In short, snow is advantageous for horses”.
And which jockeys, racetracks and fellow trainers does she hold in the highest esteem?
“Aiden O’Brian is the trainer I admire the most.
“As for racecourses, among the ones I have seen, Ascot and Longchamp stand out the most. I have been fortunate to attend many race meetings around the world, including the Saudi Cup, the Royal Ascot, the German Derby, and various events in Dubai. Unfortunately, I have not yet experienced the Breeders' Cup. However, if I had to choose my favourite among the events I have attended, it would be the Royal Ascot.
“William Buick is undoubtedly the best jockey in the world. I remember when he first arrived at Øvrevoll, so small and eager to ride; all the horses galloped away with him. His tremendous success, competence, and skill make me proud to be Norwegian. The day William won the race for me at Ascot still remains the most unforgettable moment of my career”.
NADINE VERHEYEN
As with Erichsen, Nadine Verheyen’s maiden championship is the culmination of a decades-long training career. In 2005, she secured a licence as a private trainer for the Molenhof Stable, an extensive concern, situated 30kms south-east of Antwerp, whose main focus is on breeding and developing Belgian Warmbloods, primarily for show jumping. She did this with her partner, Wim Van de Poel, whom she had met in 1991, when Wim was an Amateur jockey – her first encounter with Thoroughbreds. Later, they were to become owners and raced at the now closed Flat track at Sterrebeek.
Seeding her fledgling training operation with purchases of horses-in-training from both BBAG and Tattersalls, they also bred Thoroughbreds for a period of time. “Some of the young horses were entrusted to trainer Andreas Löwe and his team in Cologne (Germany)”, she explains.” We had an excellent working relationship with him. There was always mutual respect and a strong focus on the wellbeing of the horses. We learned a great deal from him. And learning never stops, we firmly believe that”.
Verheyen is still based at Molenhof. “Today, we have ideal facilities: stables, meadows, paddocks, a covered horse walker, an indoor arena, and a 1600-meter training track”.
However, due to time constraints, journeys to compete at German and French tracks have diminished, as have their number of horses in training. Which makes last year’s success all the more remarkable. “We owe this above all to the horses, who have remained fit and injury-free, and to a fantastic team that is available day and night. A passionate team, united in pursuit of the same goal and deeply connected to the horses, is the key to success.
“Being 100% professional in the flat racing sport in Belgium is not financially viable today. It is, however, a real asset that Belgian racing still has international value and that we continue to have an all-weather track in Mons and beautiful turf racecourses in Ostend and Waregem”.
Verheyen retains a deep admiration for Lowe, although he is no longer active as a trainer. “He found the perfect balance between caring for the horses, his staff and the owners. Andreas Löwe achieved impressive results, sometimes with rather modest horses, but he always acted with great passion and consistently maintained his belief and trust”.
As for jockeys, “Terence Hellier is definitely one of our favourites. He handles pressure well and has an excellent feel for his horses. It's a pity he no longer holds a jockey license.
We also have tremendous admiration for our Belgian top jockey in France, Christophe Soumillon, not only as a rider but also as a passionate mentor for future jockeys. It's truly impressive how dedicated he is” – a reference to Soumillon’s Pony Academy.
“We are fortunate to have experienced many memorable race days, over the years. The German Baden-Baden (Iffezheim) meetings were our holiday destination for many years. We took as many horses as possible and spent ten days racing at a beautiful racecourse. It was both a vacation and hard work, but we enjoyed every moment of it. In 2009 we enjoyed 4 wins with 2 horses and, two years later, we topped this with 5 wins.
“We also enjoyed numerous victories with Lady Magda and our female amateur jockey Karen Dieltjens, who gave us incredible goosebumps moments both in Ostend and at Waregem Koerse. The highlight of this combination came in 2022, with 5 starts and 5 wins, including the Prix de Prince Rose in Ostend and the Prix Bingoal St Leger in Waregem, which we won for the second year in a row. In 2023 a long break was necessary for Lady Magda, but in 2024 she won the Prix de Prince Rose in Ostend again, which is a unique achievement. No horse has ever won the Prix de Prince Rose twice”.
A third victory might even be on the cards on August 4th for Verheyen’s stable star, who now races in the colours of her amateur rider, Karen Dieltjens. “We hope to participate again this year with Lady Magda and Karen Dieltjens in the Prix de Prince Rose in Ostend and the Prix Bingoal St Leger in Waregem.”
KAVANAGH PRESIDES OVER FINAL EMHF MEETING
At 1.30pm on June 1st 2010 the founding meeting of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation took place in Stockholm, Sweden. The Chair that day, as for the next fifteen years, was Brian Kavanagh, then CEO of Horse Racing Ireland. At 5.00pm on Friday, May 3rd 2025, in Merano, Italy, Kavanagh – now CEO of The Curragh racecourse – drew to a close the first day of this year’s EMHF General Assembly, which was to be his final meeting in charge of the Federation.
Italy's most northerly racecourse, Merano Maia, sits against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped Alpine mountains. Just south of the Austrian border, this area of South Tyrol has a vibe all its own, where German is at least as widely used as Italian. Italy’s premier jumps track, home each September to the Gran Premio Merano, must rank among the world’s most beautifully-situated and several of the delegates revealed that it was on their ‘bucket-list’ of courses to visit.
The meeting saw the re-election of Poland’s Jakub Kasprzak to its nine-strong Executive Council. Sadly, Lebanon’s Associate Membership was suspended, due to the absence of Thoroughbred racing there in recent years. The group received a presentation from the EMHF’s Political Advisor, Cathy McGlynn, on the status of the EU review of its legislation relating to animal welfare in transport and on ongoing efforts to secure free movement for Thoroughbreds being moved for breeding and sales purposes. Commitments were made to hold EMHF Seminars, later this year, on the subjects of Handicapping and Co-Ownership. The General Assembly had been immediately preceded by the second EuroMed Stewards’ Conference, again organised by the British Horseracing Authority.
There was a strong and varied contingent of representatives of relevant commercial organisations, many making return visits, and presentations were made by LockCon, manufacturers of doping control kits, MYLAPS (automated timing technology), Pegasus (horse nutrition and transport) and Equine MediRecord (anti-doping and horse welfare systems) as well as from the International Representative of the Organization of Racing Investigators.
For the first time, much of the second day of business was set aside for group strategic discussions, in which members discussed what they would like to see from the Federation over forthcoming years, as we enter a new era of our development under new Chair, France Galop’s Henri Pouret. These ideas will be considered further by our Executive Council at its next meeting, in Navan, Ireland, in November, before a plan for the future is presented to next year’s General Assembly.
Our Italian hosts, the Ministry of Agriculture and the executive of Maia Racecourse, then treated the group to a dinner in the Restaurant in the Kursaal, the grand hall within the Kurhaus, a famous architectural landmark in the city, at which a presentation was made to Kavanagh in reflection of his enormous contribution to the Federation.
We close this piece with some reflections from our recently departed Chair.
Q: How would you characterise the development of the EMHF, since its inception fifteen years ago?
It has been very satisfying to see the development of the federation over recent years into more than just a networking body between large and small racing jurisdictions in the region (although that is still a very important function). The participation at a senior level from all member countries is a big benefit and has encouraged a structured and consistent approach to areas such as horse welfare, doping control, race planning and grading through the region. The federation plays an active role within the ifha and through its contacts with other industry bodies is working to assist eu policy development in critical areas such as horse transport. The work of paull khan as secretary general is critical in pulling all of this together.
Q: You also held high office – as Vice-Chair for many years – of the global body, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. What do you feel are the additional benefits that the regional federations, like the EMHF and Asian Racing Federation, bring to the sport?
I think they are essential to filter IFHA policy decisions down to individual member countries and to ensure a consistent approach both regionally and globally. They are also very important channels to ensure that specific regional issues are properly articulated and addressed by the senior international racing body.
Q: You must hold many memories of visits to EMHF member countries for your annual General Assembly and Executive Council Meetings. Which are the most vivid?
It has been a privilege to visit so many wonderful racing venues throughout the european and mediterranean region and to see at first hand the high quality and wonderful variety of racecourses within the region. It would be wrong to single any one out, but my abiding memory will be of the wonderful people working to promote horse racing throughout the region and the firm and lasting friendships made.
Next year, the EMHF ‘roadshow’ rolls into Porto. Portugal has kindly offered to host what will be the first EMHF meeting in that country. It will take place on July 11th and 12th 2026.
200 years of horse racing in Germany
Words - Lissa Oliver
Horseracing is the oldest organised sport in Germany and this year it celebrates a major milestone. The very first thoroughbred race in Germany took place in Doberan, on the Baltic Sea, 10 August 1822, this summer marking the 200th anniversary. Around 30 racing clubs have organised a total of 136 race days to mark the celebration.
German-bred racehorses are recognised internationally for their stamina and soundness, which is no accident and links directly to that historic day in Doberan. Breeding selection and breed improvement through tests of performance remains a mandate of the Animal Breeding Act, with the retirement of stallions to stud strictly governed.
Organised racing in Germany was very quickly established. As early as 13 August of the same year, 1822, the Doberan Racing Club was founded, the first of the racing clubs created to oversee the contests. The Berlin Racing Club followed in 1828 and by the 1830s numerous new clubs had been formed across the country.
Today, the Düsseldorf Equestrian and Racing Club has the proud boast of being Germany’s oldest continuously existing racing club, founded in 1844, and in April Düsseldorf racecourse had the honour of hosting the first of the anniversary celebrations.
Another major milestone followed when, in 1858, the French casino owner Edouard Bénazet had the racecourse built in Iffezheim near Baden-Baden. Ten years later, Emperor Wilhelm I attended the official opening of the Hoppegarten racecourse in Berlin, 17 May 1868, which quickly developed into one of the most important racecourses in Europe.
The oldest continuous race in Germany is the Union Race, first held in 1834. Created as a supreme test for three-year-olds it was eventually relegated by the Deutsches Derby. The Norddeutsches Derby, as it was originally known, was established at Hamburg in 1869, becoming the now-familiar Deutsches Derby in 1889. During the wars it was staged at Grunewald in 1919, Hoppegarten in 1943 and 1944, Munich in 1946 and Cologne in 1947. The great Königsstuhl, in winning the Henckel-Rennen, Deutsches Derby and St-Leger in 1979, remains the only horse to win the German Triple Crown.
The first commercial German bookmakers sprang up in the middle of the 19th century and, following the French model, a totaliser was set up in Berlin in 1875. From 1905 to 1922 bookmaker bets were banned in Germany, but since then the Tote and bookmakers have been competing with each other.
The early part of the 20th century saw racing clubs springing up as vigorously as the grass and in 1912 there were more than 100 racecourses in Germany. Obviously, world events saw that blossoming situation change drastically. The First World War represented a turning point in the fate of German racing, but it was the Second World War that had a lasting and damaging impact.
Appropriately, racing returned to West Germany after the war years on 12 August 1945 at Leipzig, but in the German Democratic Republic racing became, at best, a marginal sport. Hoppegarten was nationalised and one of only six racecourses hosting racing.
It was a brighter new start in the West and the racing season resumed in full at Munich in April 1946. A steady resurgence followed, and Cologne developed into the leading training centre, while Hamburg remained the home of the Deutsche Derby.
As with other European racing nations there was little change in the ensuing years, but 1980 marked another significant milestone when Dortmund became the first all-weather track in Europe, for the first time making winter racing under floodlights possible.
Following the reunification of Germany, racing came more into focus with the public and Berlin’s Hoppegarten, in particular, enjoyed renewed popularity. In 2021, the Group 1 LONGINES 131st Grand Prix of Berlin received great international recognition when it was included in the top 100 of the world's best races. However, it is Baden-Baden that is regarded as the leading German racecourse, in terms of betting turnover and also from a sporting, social and international viewpoint, staging popular meetings in spring, summer and autumn.
As already mentioned, the breeding of German thoroughbreds has always been carefully regulated to ensure continuing success. The German breeding industry began around 1800, originally in Mecklenburg. In 1842 the first Deutsche Stud Book was published. It contained 242 breeders who between them kept 779 broodmares. Less than 10% had more than 10 mares. This has hardly changed to this day; there are only a few large stud farms, but many breeders with only one or two mares. Currently, about 460 breeders have around 1,300 broodmares.
One of the great traditional studs is the Prussian State Stud in Graditz, near Leipzig, founded in 1668 and already dedicated solely to thoroughbred breeding by the first half of the 19th century. Twelve Derby winners were raised there from 1886 (Potrimpos) to 1937 (Abendfrieden) and Graditz-produced horses were esteemed to the extent that there were times when they had to carry additional weight to give their rivals a better chance.
The oldest private stud farm is Gestüt Schlenderhan near Cologne, founded in 1869 by Baron von Oppenheim. From 1908 to the present day, Schlenderhan has bred 19 Deutsches Derby winners, most recently In Swoop in 2020. A great example of the success of small-scale German breeders is, of course, 2021 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso, bred by Paul H. Vandeberg from his only mare, Tijuana; herself from Schlenderhan breeding.
The 200th anniversary of German racing is being celebrated across the country, with commemorative stamps produced by Deutsches Post. The highlight will be the festivities at Berlin-Hoppegarten racecourse from 12 to 14 August. The three-day anniversary meeting opens with an official ceremony at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin and on Saturday evening, 13 August, the Hoppegarten racecourse invites everyone to a big anniversary party. Details available at:
Milestones in gallop racing - German gallop (deutscher-galopp.de)
Dr. Andreas Jacobs
By Peter Muhlfeit
Dr. Andreas Jacobs is a truly international businessman with a record of managing globally significant organisations across diverse fields of interest. He is overseeing his family business with diverse interests in chocolate, education and e-commerce. Jacobs also oversees the growing presence of a multi-national thoroughbred empire—with breeding operations in Germany, England and South Africa. In all, there are over 200 mares across all three commercial properties as well as a series of high-profile stallions and racing interests. And he is the president of Baden Racing, running the most important race track in Germany. The Jacobs family’s contribution to thoroughbred racing and society at large extends further through the Jacobs Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting the development of young people through programs in life skills, computer skills and activities associated with nature and the environment.
Peter Muhlfeit spoke to Jacobs about the upcoming season with Baden Racing and his views on racing and breeding.
Dr Jacobs: You’ve studied classical music—cello and French horn—and you have a doctorate in European competition law and a Master of Business Administration. Those enterprises are far removed from the world of horseracing. What led you to get involved in breeding and racing of thoroughbreds?
Horses are a passion of our family since generations. My parents and grandparents were passionate horse riders in different disciplines. When I was young, I started spending my weekends at horse shows. My first great horse was a very talented thoroughbred called Tristan. He was the first horse that was raced in our family silks. My grandfather bought him in England, and he became a top two-year-old in Germany, however, suffered from tendon issues. Subsequently, he became a riding horse. I was able to ride him at the highest levels in dressage. He was a star and changed my life.
In 1995, my grandfather asked me to succeed him at Gestut Fahrhof. I was surprised but felt immensely honoured and privileged. So all my commitment and passion went into this stud. This is where the infection really started. Despite this passion, we have clear rules in my family. The fundamental rule is that family comes first, business comes second, and private passions come last. In that sense, I am a relatively disciplined horse owner.
In 2010, you also took the reins at Baden-Baden, the leading track in Germany to save it from going under. Why?
Baden-Baden is the most important race track in Germany. With only 13 race days during the year, Baden is generating over 25% of the German annual betting turnover. Baden-Baden is the flagship track. Without Baden, Germany has no relevance in racing, in black type races; and we all could close our breeding operations, our traditional studs and move elsewhere. It was of utmost importance to fix this flagship track to keep German breeding alive. I like to thank John Magnier for making this point to me around ten years ago.
The problem started 15 years earlier—in the mid-nineties—when official betting turnovers collapsed, moving betting overseas to low-tax havens with no benefit for the race track. Germany, with low retail presence in betting, suffered more than any other European country. With the collapse of revenues, several race tracks were insolvent and had to close—like Baden-Baden in 2010.
Why did the old Baden-Baden management structure fail? And what's being done differently now to ensure Baden-Baden's ongoing success?
The former management had limited cost transparency and reacted late. When we took over in 2010, we established more transparency and got regional politicians and local communities back on board. And we received support from the German TBA who helps us finance our group races.
2019 is the tenth season for Baden Racing under your leadership. What are your ambitions for Baden-Baden in the short, medium and long terms and for German racing as a whole?
Dr. Andreas Jacobs with our Incoming Children
We are planning and investing to continue the positive trend: more spectators on site, increasing betting revenue on and off track, and a strong recognition in the region. These three parameters are up since years. Never forget: if you win a race on a Wednesday in Baden, there are still 7,000 to 9,000 spectators celebrating with you! If you win on the weekend, we easily double this.
What are the major changes you have planned?
We offer three festivals a year: the Spring Festival at the end of May, the Great Festival Weekend of August, and the Sales & Racing Festival in October. At these fixtures, we run twelve group, five Listed and three rich Sales races—more than any other racing club in Germany. In recent years we decided to end each festival with a bang, presenting two Group races on the final days. Such Super-Sundays are very unusual for German racing. This year we will have a Super Weekend on 31 August and 1 Sept with two Group races on Saturday, two Group races and one Listed race on Sunday. This is the best any race track in Germany has ever offered. And, what everyone should know: There is no other race track in the world that has so many Michelin and Gault Millau Stars in proximity! So if you are tired of horses, you can enjoy great food and wine.
How much help does your national racing industry get from the German government?
Sports are very much a matter for the federal states in Germany, so we can’t expect too much from the national government. On the local level, we did receive quite some help over recent years to reinvest into the track (e.g., to build a new watering system and to renovate the grandstand).
Nationwide, our sport is suffering from one big loss: Our betting tax used to be reimbursed based on our contribution to breeding by selecting top horses and improving the quality of breed. This was a fundamental right in the German constitution of the 1920s. The reimbursement got cancelled recently for no justifiable reason. In Baden-Baden alone we lost a solid six-digit amount.
What could be done to help German Pattern races, in terms of increasing the prize funds?
We need more betting revenue and more sponsors. That’s quite easy to say but difficult to achieve. In Baden-Baden, we increased our TV coverage. You can watch the Grand Prix of Baden-Baden on German public TV, ARD or ZDF. Around 3 million viewers are watching it. We are happy to have Longines as main sponsor; still, for other tracks, it is difficult to find sponsors for Pattern races.
Turning to your breeding operations: Why is the German racing and breeding industry not going down the 'speed' route with their stallions as is the vogue in other breeding nations?
Our strength has always been middle- to long-distance horses. They are late-maturing and bred to be tough. That’s pretty unique in a world where you look for a quick return and a two-year-old career. And it explains why German horses are so popular in Australia to win the Melbourne Cup.
The shortest Gp1 race in Germany is 2,000 meters. If you want to stand a champion sire, he should be middle to long distance. Historically, a stallion had to win a Gp1 over a mile-and-a-half to achieve a rating that allows him to become a stallion. So we were mating stayers to stayers, tough horses with tough horses. We also have conditions of no bute or Lasix to become a stallion. It is another criteria where pure, natural toughness will survive and continue.
What is the influence of your stallions on the international stage and your hopes for Silvano, Nathaniel, Querari, Equiano, Maxios and your new resident Helmet?
Nathaniel obviously has made his mark already with Enable—one of the best fillies in recent decades. He himself was brilliant, and he is reproducing it. This is what you love to see as a breeder. Silvano in South Africa is exceptional. Close to my heart. The first horse I bred, raised and accompanied. He has now 21 individual Gp1 winners in Europe and South Africa. He is already a legend. Querari is following him, being the best younger stallion in South Africa by all measures. And at Fährhof we have the most beautiful Maxios—the best bred son of the legendary Monsun and one of the most influential stallions in the world. We decided to attract Helmet to stand at Fährhof. He fits the German taste, having been a tough race horse and champion at two and three and stemming from a German family with Anna Paola, having sired a Dubai World Cup winner in his first year. What more can you expect?
Further to your own interests in South Africa, do you see South African racing and breeding playing a greater role internationally?
I first came to South Africa in 1989 when my wife worked at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, where the first heart transplant was done by Dr Bernard a few years earlier. We started dating in Cape Town. We love the country, and in 2002 we fell in love with the stud, which has both beauty and ruggedness. It became a family place with many European faces—horse faces. When I compare Maine Chance Farms with our other studs, there is no doubt that Europe is more sophisticated along the value chain. But South African horses are globally competitive because they grow up more natural. South African breeding is survival of the fittest. I can’t wait to see South Africa being allowed to export under reasonable quarantine regulations. It will be a source of excellent horses.
BUY THIS ISSUE IN PRINT OR DOWNLOAD
WHY NOT SUBSCRIBE?
DON'T MISS OUT AND SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE THE NEXT FOUR ISSUES!
Trainer Profile - Markus Klug
By Peter Muhlfeit
Baden-Baden is a rather small town in the southwest of Germany, close to the French border and at the doorstep to the Black Forest. But it has groomed its international reputation since the 19th century, when it was known as the “summer residence of the European aristocracy.” These days it is still famous for its spas, the gambling casino, and more recently the biggest opera house in Germany. And let’s not forget: horseracing. The racetrack at Iffezheim, founded in 1858 by Edouard Bénazet, the French tenant of the casino, holds the premier position in Germany – from an economic, social, and sporting point of view. And it is here where it all started for Markus Klug.
Born in Romania in 1976, Klug grew up in Rastatt – just a few strides away from Iffezheim. The 42-year-old has risen from owner-trainer with just one horse to the top of his guild at home, caring for more than 100 thoroughbreds at Rottgen stud, and quickly making his mark overseas as well.
We met at the Spring Festival at Baden-Baden – the first “must do” of the year on the German racing calendar, and a homecoming for Klug, who always seems to have an open ear for the press, unlike some of his colleagues. It turned out to be a rather special weekend for Klug. Not only did he win a Group 3 sprint with one of his favourite horses, Millowitsch, and was honoured as champion trainer in Baden-Baden for the third time in four years, but he also enhanced his international reputation thanks to strong performances of two of his best horses in Epsom and Chantilly.
“I loved to watch racing as a kid in Iffezheim and later started to ride in the morning for trainer Waldemar Himmel,” Klug says about his beginnings. Himmel runs a small yard in Iffezheim but competes rather successfully in the neighbouring France. Horses, however, weren’t the only passion of young Klug. He was a very decent tennis player in his youth, winning the Rastatt town championships as a teenager against the adults.
But soon the horses took over his spare time. “When we owned our first horse, I started to train it and it was clear to me that I wanted to do something with horses.” But becoming a professional trainer always looked like a far-fetched dream. So after passing his A-Levels he decided to study business administration but stopped after two terms. “It just wasn’t for me,” Klug said, but still, he stayed on a supposedly safer track to his future, learning his trade as an insurance salesman.
At the same time he owned a few more horses and did a pretty good job with them. His first winner, Gordian, a four-year-old gelding, came in 2003 on the provincial track of Herxheim close to Iffezheim. He also won races in Austria, Belgium, France, and Switzerland, which is quite unusual for an owner-trainer. By 2009 it was clear to Klug that there must be more to his professional life than selling insurance. He got his licence as public trainer, and then a big door opened for him: “The chance of my life,” as he calls it. Gunter Paul, chairman of the foundation Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung, made the young man an offer, he just couldn’t refuse. “I turned my hobby into my profession.”
The Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung owns the stud and racing stable of Gestut Rottgen, one of the most famous and traditional houses in Germany. The stud was founded in 1924 by Peter Mulhens, who made his money with Eau de Cologne 4711. His widow Maria Mehl-Mulhens, who died in 1985, saved the Rottgen legacy by creating the foundation, which apart from racing and breeding thoroughbreds supports horseracing in general, young riders, and helps jockeys who get into trouble due to no fault of their own. The foundation has the lawyer and former president of the highest court in the federal state of Hesse, Günter Paul, in charge.
The beautiful stud is located in Heumar, very close to the major city of Cologne, right in the middle of a forest and fenced off by a large wall. The training track – grass and sand – is 2.5 km long, and the horses have to pass a traffic light on their way from the stables to the working grounds. Rottgen has a fine reputation in the racing world, famously breeding the first German winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Eclipse Stakes, Star Appeal, in the ‘70s.
But things needed changing in the 21th century, and Rottgen needed fresh ideas.
TO READ MORE --
BUY THIS ISSUE IN PRINT OR DOWNLOAD -
Why not subscribe?
Don't miss out and subscribe to receive the next four issues!
Course 2 Course
Plus 10
European trainers with a two-year-old horse in training have the opportunity to increase their earnings during the 2015 Flat season by targeting Plus 10 bonus races.
Plus 10 is a £5.5 million bonus scheme which will see qualified two-year-olds (and three-year-old horses in 2016) race for cash bonuses of £10,000 or €12,500 across several hundred races in Britain and Ireland.
This season there will be more than 480 opportunities for qualified two-year-olds to claim a Plus 10 bonus.
Each time a £10,000 bonus is won by a qualified horse, the trainer, jockey and stable staff will be paid a 5% (£500) share on top of race prize money, with the balance shared between the owner and breeder. Three registration stages must be completed for a horse to be qualified.
Ruth Quinn, the British Horseracing Authority’s Director of Racing, said: “Plus 10 offers significant opportunities for a trainer to increase their own earnings and provide an owner with a return on their investment in a horse.
“In 2015 there will be an anticipated 314 Maiden races in Britain to feature a bonus, 37 of which will be Auction or Median Auction Maidens.
“For trainers with qualified fillies, the Plus 10 programme offers significant opportunities with more than 42% of the Plus 10 races in 2015 being restricted to fillies only.
“We urge trainers to visit the Plus 10 website to find out more about the many opportunities for a two-year-old to win multiple bonuses in 2015.”
Horse Racing Ireland’s Director of Racing, Jason Morris said: “With 40 Maiden races in the next three months and at least 100 opportunities throughout the year, there are many opportunities for early maturing two-year-olds to sweep up a €12,500 Plus 10 bonus in Ireland before claiming a Nursery or Winners race later in the season.”
To view the March-June Plus 10 race programme for Britain and Ireland, check a horse’s qualification status, or for further information, visit plus10bonus.com.
Note: Plus 10 bonuses will feature on the following races:Britain:
2YO – All Class 2-4 Maiden, Novice and Conditions and Class 5 Fillies’ Maiden races.
3YO – All Class 2-4 Maiden and Conditions and Class 5 Fillies’ Maiden races
Ireland:
2YO – 100 bonuses available on all two-year-old, non-black-type races (including Open Maiden, Auction Maiden, Median Auction Maiden, Nursery and Winners) rolled over until all 100 bonuses are won.
3YO – Unclaimed two-year-old bonuses applied to three-year-old only Maiden races from the beginning of the 2016 Flat season, until all remaining bonuses are won.
Hamilton Park
The £40,000 EBF Glasgow Listed Stakes on Friday (evening) 17th July at Hamilton Park (near Glasgow, Scotland) is the feature race within a £100,000 card. Since this historic race was switched to mid- July four years ago, it has quickly become a popular stepping stone for trainers with major autumn targets. Luca Cumani demonstrated this last year by winning The Glasgow with Postponed before going on to win Great Voltigeur. Now open to Fillies as well as Colts/ Geldings, this 3-Y-O Listed contest is over 11 Furlongs.
Baden-Baden
August 28, 2015
Baden-Baden, Germany – Palais Biron
We are delighted to invite and welcome you to our “Business and Ethics of Racing” meeting. Old and unsolved problems and important changes in the conditions of Thoroughbred racing are the basis for the meeting. On the agenda will be the future of racing and the position of the trainer, breeder and the owner. The meeting is expected to last four hours and will run simultaneously with a veterinary meeting set to address similar issues. We are pleased to have a group of renowned speakers along with an interesting scientific and social programme.
The meeting starts on Friday, August 28, at 10 am and the programme includes subjects such as managing the risks of prohibited substance from feeds and supplements, Biosecurity protocols for stud farms, joint and tendon stress in young Thoroughbreds, and many more important subjects in racing, owning and breeding.
You are also invited to attend the social programme of the veterinary conference which will include a Klaus Philipp exhibition at Brenner’s Park Hotel and a dinner at the famous Casino of Baden-Baden on Saturday evening.
The famous spa of Baden-Baden is located in the south west of Germany in the Black Forest mountains near the River Rhine, and close to the French border. By car, Baden-Baden is on the A5 motorway from Frankfurt to Basel. There is a direct train connection (1.5 h) from Frankfurt International Airport. The regional Baden Airport is only 20 min away, and connects Baden-Baden directly to Berlin, Hamburg, London and Rome, and, via Berlin, to other European capitals. The meeting place in Baden-Baden is the historic villa Palais Biron, lying just outside the city centre on Lichtentaler Strasse.
Hans D. Lauk
Fees and information
Early booking (until June 30) €160 ex 19% VAT
Normal (July 1st – August 20th) €180 ex 19% VAT
Late booking (after August 20th) €200 ex 19% VAT
Casino Dinner €60 (Must be booked separately)
Information for registration
Hippiatrika publishing, P. B. 100085, 76481 Baden-Baden, Germany
Phone: 0049 (0)176 23 41 14 22
Registration can be done online or by fax:
www.racing.care
Email: reg@phkforum.cc | Fax: 0049 (0)561 970 107 02
No refunds after 20th August 2015.
Ascot
Commonwealth Cup becomes Eighth Royal Ascot Group One race
Royal Ascot has been lit up by many big international names in recent years – Black Caviar becoming the fifth Australian-trained winner at the meeting in 2012 will be many people’s highlight but there have also been memorable winners from Hong Kong and the USA, as well as from all over Europe.
It was Wesley Ward who stole most of the limelight on the international front in 2014, with Hootenanny winning the Windsor Castle Stakes en route to victory at the Breeders’ Cup in late October. In addition, Wesley’s Sunset Glow found only Cursory Glance too good in the Albany Stakes.
Royal Ascot has seen over 50 runners from outside Europe in its two Global Sprint Challenge legs since the series began in 2005 and this year, the meeting will stage a third Group One sprint for the first time – the Commonwealth Cup, limited to three-year-olds and run over 1200 metres (6 furlongs).
It is hoped that this race, whilst providing a valuable early season sprint championship for European horses, will also appeal particularly to the American market but also perhaps, in time, to Australian two-year-olds, Golden Slipper types, who are able to participate with a 10lb Southern Hemisphere Allowance.
With the addition of the Commonwealth Cup and the promotion of the QIPCO British Champions Sprint in the autumn to Group One status, Ascot will stage 13 top level races in 2015.
It was tremendous to see Animal Kingdom from the USA run in the Queen Anne Stakes of 2013 and we hope that this race particularly, along with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, will continue to develop in intercontinental terms like the established sprints and two-year old races.
It is still early days, but to have Hong Kong's Able Friend being talked of as a Queen Anne horse for this year and Japan's Spielberg being trained for the Prince of Wales's Stakes is tremendously encouraging.