Fantastic Moon is the name of the winner of the 154th German Gallop Derby in Hamburg-Horn. The Sea-The-Moon-son prevailed with Rene Piechulek in the saddle on Sunday ahead of Mr Hollywood and Weracruz.
Sarah Steinberg wrote turf history and was the first trainer to win the German Derby. The three-year-old stallion Fantastic Moon prepared by her, who, coming from the rear, rolled over the opponents on the outside, won the 154th edition on the Hamburg racecourse with a lead of more than two lengths on Mr Hollywood.
Nine years after his father Sea The Moon, Fantastic Moon has now won the most important race in German racing. Steinberg’s partner Piechulek sat in the winner’s saddle.
“The course of the race was ideal.”
— Trainer Sarah Steinberg
“I’m overjoyed. It worked out perfectly,” said Steinberg: “Rene is worth its weight in gold for me at work and also in my private life. I was a little concerned about the distance of 2,400 meters, but the course of the race was ideal and Fantastic Moon was able to relax along the way. That was the basis for the win.”
The 36-year-old jockey was also happy after his brilliant ride. “I’m really happy. I had an unbelievably great race. Actually, it wasn’t planned to go so far back, but he was so relaxed that I left him there for the time being,” said Piechulek after his win in the mit 650,000 euros endowed exam. Piechulek had won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Torquator Tasso in 2021 – now he experienced another great moment in his career.
Jockey Sibylle Vogt fourth with Winning Spirit
Third place went to outsider Weracruz. The only mare in the field of 20 was ridden by Antonio Orani. Lukas Delozier sat in the saddle of second-placed Mr Hollywood. The clear favorite Straight disappointed with 15th place. Sibylle Vogt, the only female jockey in the race, finished fourth with Winning Spirit. Winning Spirit is also owned by Liberty Racing. First and fourth in the derby – this community couldn’t have done much better.
For the Liberty Racing 2021 community of owners, the derby victory meant a prize money of 390,000 euros. 22 shareholders belong to this community, which Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten (Cologne) founded and controls as manager: “A lifelong dream has come true for me. Rene has put on a world-class ride, you couldn’t do it any better.”
Fantastic Moon auctioned for 49,000 euros
Fantastic Moon was bred by Graf and Countess Stauffenberg. Two years ago, Liberty Racing bought the new derby winner for 49,000 euros at the yearling auction in Baden-Baden. Co-owners include Dr. Michael Vesper, president of the Galopper umbrella organization, once deputy prime minister in North Rhine-Westphalia. “I’m overwhelmed and proud to own a part of the Derby winner,” said Vesper after the race. The winning quota for Fantastic Moon was 7.2 euros with a stake of one euro.
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Hamburg Journal | 07/02/2023 | 19:30 o’clock
