12th to 15th June - Members' trip to Cologne, Germany
Gestüts Schlenderhan and Roettgen are two of the largest and most famous thoroughbred studs in Germany, and both of these prestigious equine establishments were ports of call for TBA members on their three day trip to Cologne, and its environs, in the week before Royal Ascot (12th-15th June).
Gestüt Schlenderhan was founded by Baron Edouard von Oppenheim in 1869, and is currently Germany's oldest privately owned stud. Their resident stallion is Monsun, world renowned sire of Samum, Noble Stella, Shirocco, Manduro and Getaway. Our visit, on the first day, included a walk around the original and modernised stud farms, and also the state of the art private training establishment and gallops where Jens Hirschberger prepared 2007 German Derby winner, Adlerflug. Later in the morning, we were entertained to lunch by Baron von Ullmann, whose colours are now so instantly recognizable on racecourses across Europe.
Our afternoon schedule included a tour of the Schlenderhan Yearling Farm, two hours at the Veterinary Clinic of Dr Thomas Weinberger, official advisor to the Direktorium für Vollblutzucht und Rennen (Germany's governing body for thoroughbred racing and breeding), and evening stables with Christian von der Recke, Champion Flat and NH Trainer in Germany in 2007.
Day two featured a morning visit to Gestüt Roettgen which, in 1969, bred Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Eclipse winner, Star Appeal, and is now owned by the Mehl Muelhens Foundation. This is another magnificent stud farm, steeped in history and tradition, and home to Champion miler, Soldier Hollow, and homebred Italian Derby Winner, Kallisto. The training grounds which adjoin the stud are used by Hans Albert Blume.
Our host at Roettgen was Dr Guenter Paul, Chief Executive of the Mehl Muelhens Foundation, who personally showed us around the stud, and laid on a magnificent lunch in the Castle afterwards.
A most enjoyable and informative three days in Germany ended with an afternoon's racing as guests of the Cologne Racecourse, and an opportunity to see two important Group 2 races – the Oppenheim Union Rennen (3yo colts) and the Diana Trial (3yo fillies),'prep' races respectively for the German Derby and Oaks.
Our host, for the duration of our stay, was Enno Albert, former Clerk of the Course at Düsseldorf and Hanover, whose knowledge of Racing in Germany, and its history, is encyclopedic. Working with Horse Racing Abroad (HRA) Enno planned every minute of our trip with precision, and in the minutest of detail, and was the epitome of charm, tact, jollity, and good manners, throughout.
Our sincerest thanks go to Enno, and also to Scarlett Bather from HRA, our long suffering 'whipper-in'.
Below is a link to some photos, very kindly taken and shared with us by TBA member Lee Ann Day.