Grosser Preis von Berlin

The Grosser Preis von Berlin, formerly known as the Deutschland-Preis, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Hoppegarten over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July or August.

History

The event was established in 1888, and it was originally staged at Hoppegarten as the Grosser Preis von Berlin. It was initially contested over 2,000 metres, and was extended to 2,200 metres in 1897. It was transferred to Grunewald and increased to 2,400 metres in 1909. A new distance of 2,600 metres was introduced in 1927.

The race returned to Hoppegarten in 1934, and it was renamed the Grosser Preis der Reichshauptstadt in 1937. From this point it was run over 2,400 metres, and it reverted to 2,600 metres in 1943.

The event switched to Düsseldorf and was renamed the Grosser Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen in 1947. That year's running was over 2,400 metres, and it returned to 2,600 metres in 1948. Its current period over 2,400 metres began in 1965.

The present race grading system was introduced in Germany in 1972, and the Grosser Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen was classed at Group 1 level. Its original title, the Grosser Preis von Berlin, was restored in 1977.

The event became known as the Deutschland-Preis in 1996. It was held at Hamburg and merged with the Hansa-Preis in 2010. It returned to Hoppegarten as the Grosser Preis von Berlin in 2011.

Records

Most successful horse (3 wins):

• Ticino – 1942, 1943, 1944
• Mercurius – 1963, 1964, 1965

Leading jockey (8 wins):

• Otto Schmidt – Ossian (1921), Augias (1923, 1924), Elritzling (1939), Ticino (1942, 1943, 1944), Niederländer (1950)

Leading trainer (10 wins):

• George Arnull – Weissdorn (1925), Mah Jong (1927), Oleander (1928, 1929), Alba (1930), Wolkenflug (1932), Blinzen (1934), Sturmvogel (1935, 1936), Schwarzgold (1940)

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

Leading owner (22 wins):

• Gestüt Schlenderhan – Dorn (1892), Signor (1903), For Ever (1909), Dolomit (1912), Majestic (1913), Wallenstein (1922), Weissdorn (1925), Mah Jong (1927), Oleander (1928, 1929), Alba (1930), Wolkenflug (1932), Blinzen (1934), Sturmvogel (1935, 1936), Schwarzgold (1940), Agio (1958), Alpenkönig (1970), Lombard (1971, 1972), Arratos (1973), Adlerflug (2008)

Winners since 1970

^a Carroll House finished first in 1988, but he was relegated to third place following a stewards' inquiry.

Earlier winners

* The 1898 race was a dead-heat and has joint 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, 2014, 2015

• galopp-sieger.de – Grosser Preis von Berlin.
• horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Grosser Preis von Berlin (2015).
• pedigreequery.com – Grosser Preis von Berlin – Hoppegarten.
• tbheritage.com – Deutschlandpreis.