Grosser Preis von Baden (Group 1)

THE top German colt Fantastic Moon ran out a decisive winner of the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden last Sunday.

The Sea The Moon colt, ridden by Rene Piechulek, was returning to his best form, which saw him win last year’s German Derby and Group 2 Prix Neil, leading to him being well fancied for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in which he finished 11th behind Ace Impact.

After this easy length-and-a-quarter victory on good ground, from the British raider, the William Haggas-trained favourite Dubai Honour, he will again attempt to emulate Danedream and Torquator Tasso, previous German-trained winners of the Arc who had been successful at Baden-Baden.

Beaten over four lengths in third was the three-year-old Narrativo, who had finished behind Al Riffa in a Group 1 last time out,

Lars-Wilhelm Baumgartner, founder of Liberty Racing, the owners of the son of Sea The Moon, said afterwards: “What a day, what a horse. He is a star. Our next step is the Arc, and we’re very excited about it.

“We are very happy, his turn of foot is so good on this ground, he needs good ground and to relax in the race.” The syndicate also campaigns this year’s Deutsches Derby winner Palladium.

Trainer Sarah Steinberg was winning the race for the second time in three runnings, having made history as the first woman to train the winner of the Grosser Preis von Baden with Mendocino 2022.

“He’s a very special horse and it’s incredible to win the Grosser Preis for the second time,” she said. “I’m delighted he could come back and show how good he is again.”

He is a general 25/1 for the Arc behind the favourite Look De Vega.