LAST Sunday’s IDEE 149th Deutsches Derby ended with a fairly predictable result with the top-rated runners finishing in the first four places, although not necessarily in the expected order.

Weltstar (11/5) and Destino (13/1) took the first two places for trainer Markus Klug. The favourite Royal Youmzain finished a rather unlucky third and Salve Del Rio fourth.

Weltstar, Destino and Salve del Rio had last time out finished 1-2-3 in Cologne’s Union-Rennen, traditionally the best Derby trial. Royal Youmzain had won the two other top Derby trials at Munich and Baden-Baden.

Longshot Aldenham, who had made most of the running, kept on for fifth leaving a gap back to the rest. It was certainly quite a turbulent race. Adrie de Vries, riding Weltstar, won three previous races by bringing his mounts over to the stands’ side where the ground was clearly better. He was determined to do so again, however, this manoeuvre certainly caused problems, hammering with Royal Youmzain and Jimmu.

Weltstar was followed through by Destino, who led very briefly in the final furlong just as he had done at Cologne. Weltstar fought back gamely and finally scored by a neck. Royal Youmzain kept on for third place, beaten a length and a half. He certainly would have finished closer without the interference, however, it is impossible to say that he would have won. Jockey Eddie Pedroza felt not, and told the stewards so at the enquiry which quickly followed. The result stood, but Adrie de Vries, winning his first German Derby at the 13th attempt, was given a five day suspension for his actions.

duplicity of events

The result showed a remarkable duplicity of events, not only did Weltstar and Destino repeated their places from the Union-Rennen. Klug also trained the first two, giving him his third Deutsches Derby in five years. He won with Sea The Moon in 2014, who is now a promising young stallion, and last year with Weltstar’s half-brother Windstoss.

Several pairs of siblings have won this race, but only one other pair in successive years – Lando and Laroche in 1993/94. Windstoss and Weltstar are both Gestüt Röttgen homebreds and both of them could have been bought relatively cheaply at the BBAG sales. Windstoss, by Shirocco (now a leading National Hunt sire at Rathbarry) was bought in for only €16,000. Weltstar was slightly more expensive at €40,000. The next colt out of their dam Wellenspiel, named Walerian (by Reliable Man) was bought in for €110,000 last year. He is training with Markus Klug, who reports that he is a very nice sort but will not be out before the autumn. Wellenspiel has a yearling colt by Kamsin entered for the BBAG sale, but will presumably be quite pricey, and a filly foal by Protectionist.

leading stallion

Germany’s current leading stallion, Soldier Hallow, also had a double as he is the sire of Weltstar and Destino.

This is a rare event but not unprecedented. Soldier Hollow had a very successful week with several winners at Hamburg and is now certain to be German champion sire again. Trainer Markus Klug and owner-breeder Gestüt Röttgen are also extremely likely to be the champions in their respective spheres.

Markus Klug now has the enviable task of keeping his Group 1 stars, including the five-year-old Dschingis Secret (brother to Destino) and the four-year-olds Windstoss and Colomano, apart. Colomano will next run in Munich’s Grosser Dallmayr-Preis over 10 furlongs, while Windstoss and Dschingis Secret could both go for the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

This is also likely to be the next target for Royal Youmzain, while the Derby winner Weltstar will probably be kept in reserve for the Grosser Preis von Baden. Destino’s target remains unclear, he might possibly go down in grade. At any rate, Klug is now in a very strong position to become Germany´s champion trainer for the fourth time in five years.