Preis der Diana

The Preis der Diana is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Düsseldorf over a distance of 2,200 metres (about 1 mile and 3 furlongs), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early August.

It is Germany's equivalent of the Epsom Oaks, a famous race in England.

History

The event was established in 1857, and it was originally contested at Tempelhof over 2,000 metres. It was transferred to Hoppegarten in 1868.

The race was staged at Grunewald for a short period after World War I, and it returned to Hoppegarten in 1923. It was abandoned in 1945 and 1946, and it took place at Düsseldorf in 1947. It began a long period at Mülheim in 1948.

The present system of race grading was introduced in Germany in 1972, and the Preis der Diana was initially classed at Group 2 level. Its distance was extended to 2,100 metres in 1973, and to 2,200 metres in 1977.

The Preis der Diana was promoted to Group 1 status in 2001. It was held at Hamburg in 2004 and 2005, and it moved to Düsseldorf in 2006. It was switched to early August in 2008, having taken place previously in late May or early June.

Records

Leading jockey (5 wins):

• Otto Schmidt – Ostrea (1924), Stromschnelle (1930), Faienza (1932), Ausflucht (1933), Adlerfee (1938)
• Gerhard Streit – Schwarzgold (1940), Yngola (1944), Ivresse (1958), Sommerblume (1959), Indra (1965)
• Andrasch Starke – Night Petticoat (1996), Elle Danzig (1998), Flamingo Road (1999), Next Gina (2003), Rosenreihe (2008)

Leading trainer (11 wins):

• Heinz Jentzsch – Brisanz (1962), Sabera (1964), Indra (1965), Schönbrunn (1969), Idrissa (1975), Leticia (1980), Slenderella (1984, dead-heat), Padang (1985), Comprida (1986), Longa (1992), Risen Raven (1994)

(note: the trainers of some of the early winners are unknown)

Leading owner (16 wins):

• Hauptgestüt Graditz – Das Veilchen (1871), Vergissmeinnicht (1876), Glocke (1883), Hildburg (1885), Närrin (1887), Glöcknerin (1890), Forelle (1892), Waschfrau (1895), Pfaueninsel (1897), Waldkatze (1908), Angostura (1911), Adresse (1916), Alpenrose (1922), Stromschnelle (1930), Sichel (1931), Landmädel (1937)

Winners since 1969

Earlier winners

See also

• List of German flat horse races

References

• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

• galopp-sieger.de – Preis der Diana.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Preis der Diana (2011).
• pedigreequery.com – Preis der Diana.
• tbheritage.com – Preis der Diana.