- High season in Hoppegarden
The four-year-old colt Al Riffa, with Irish jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle in the saddle, starts as the favorite in the highlight of the season on Sunday, the 134th Grosser Preis von Berlin at the Hoppegarten racecourse. "This is an international heavyweight," says racecourse owner Gerhard Schoeningh about the colt: "Al Riffa is prepared by Joseph O'Brien, son of Irish master trainer Aidan O'Brien." Co-favorite King of Conquest with Adrie de Vries comes from the globally successful stable of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum from Dubai.
The race over 2,400 meters is endowed with a total of 155,000 euros. The prestigious international age comparison race for three-year-olds and older goes to seven thoroughbreds from England, Ireland, and Germany. The winner will receive 100,000 euros.
Among the German contingent of older horses, Best of Lips, Tunnnes, and Mr. Hollywood are closely matched, "it's all about the day's form," says Schoeningh. As the only three-year-old, Narrativo faces a tough challenge.
The high season at Hoppegarten racecourse appears to be particularly exciting with the Grosser Preis von Berlin, serving as its highlight, drawing top-tier colts like Al Riffa and King of Conquest. The high season also sees a significant international age comparison race for three-year-olds and older, with competitors from England, Ireland, and Germany.
