German Group 1 Races

The German Derby has been run in Hamburg since 1869. A total of 155 winners of the blue ribbon, which is reserved for three-year-olds alone, were chosen on the track in Hamburg Horn. The date for the German Derby is the first Sunday in July every year and in addition to the Derby, other top highlights are on the program during the Derby meeting with the Lotto Hamburg Prize, the Hansa Prize, the Long Hamburger and the auction races. The Derby has been part of the World Pool races since 2023.

The track: 

The Derby track in Hamburg Horn is a 2,000 m right-hand course. The classic derby distance is 2,400 m. A maximum of 18 horses are allowed to start.

The race: 

The derby is aimed at three-year-olds, runs over 2,400 m and has a prize money of EUR 650,000.

Grosser Dallmayr Prize – Bavarian Breeding Race has been held since 1866. In the 1990s, the race was given Group I status and is still the flagship event of the Munich racetrack today. The race is held on the last Sunday in July and has been part of the World Pool races since 2024. It is the only Group I race over 2,000 m in Germany.

The track

The track in Riem is a 1,800 m left-hand course. The home straight is 550 m long. A total of up to 16 horses can compete in Riem.

The race: 

Aimed at three-year-old and older horses, it runs over 2,000 m and is worth EUR 155,000.

Preis der Diana, the German Mare Derby, has been held since 1855 and is one of the oldest performance tests in Germany. The competition is aimed at three-year-old domestic and foreign mares who meet at Group I level on the first Sunday in August at the racetrack in Düsseldorf. This classic race has been part of the World Pool since 2024.

The track: 

The racetrack at Düsseldorf’s Grafenberg is a 1,900 m right-hand course that is designed as a triangular course. As a natural racetrack, the Düsseldorf racetrack has inclines and declines. The back straight descends continuously with a slight slope of 1.64%. The famous “mountain” then climbs over 200 meters with a gradient of 3.27%, a total of 6.50 meters high. The home stretch has a moderate increase of 1.24%.

The race: 

Aimed at 3 year olds. mares, runs over 2,200 m and is worth EUR 500,000. A maximum of 16 horses are allowed to start.

The race has been held since 1888 and is one of the most renowned races in the German racing calendar. Back in Hoppegarten since 2011, this race has been the starting point for numerous great champions Danedream (2011), Protectionist (2016), Torquator Tasso (2020), Alpinista (2021) and the Breeders Cup Triumphator Rebels Romance (2022). Since 2023 the race has been part of the World Pool project.

The track:
Hoppegarten is a 2350 m right-hand course with a 550 m long home straight and a slight uphill section.

The race:
Aimed at 3 year olds and older horses. The race distance is 2,400 m. The prize money is currently EUR 155,000.

The Baden Grand Prix has been held at the Iffezheim racetrack since 1858. It is the big international highlight of the German racing season and the most internationally prestigious race in the country. Winners of the Baden Grand Prix included the later Arc winner Torquator Tasso.. The race has been part of the World Pool since 2022.

The track
The Baden Grand Prix will be held on the old track, a left-hand course. The home straight in Baden is 450 m long.

The race
Aimed at 3 year old and older horses. The race distance is 2,400 m and the prize money is EUR 300,000.

Since 1963, Preis von Europa has been held on the third Sunday in September at the Weidenpesch racetrack. As early as 1972, Preis von Europa became a Group 1 race and has been attracting top stars from the German and international racing scene to Cologne for decades. Preis von Europa is expected to be part of the World Pool for the first time in 2025.

The track:
The racetrack in Weidenpesch is a 2,000 m right-hand course. A maximum of 16 starters are permitted per race. The Cologne home straight is 600 m long, making it one of the longest in Germany.

The race
Aimed at 3 year olds. and older horses, runs over 2,400 m and is worth EUR 155,000.

Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern has been held in Munich since 2012. The final Group I race over 2,400 m of the European turf season is the second Group I race held in Riem. Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern has been part of the World Pool since 2024.

The track
Grosser Allianz-Preis von Bayern is held at the Munich-Riem racetrack. This is a 1,800 m left-hand course. The home straight is 550 m long. A total of up to 16 horses can compete in Riem.

The race:
Aimed at three-year-old and older horses, it runs over 2,400 m and is worth EUR 155,000.