Racing on - PARADE MAGAZINE

Surrounded by the magnificent BlackForest lies Baden-Baden, a townwhere you will find cobblestonestreets, avenues of beautiful treesand horse drawn carriages, transportingyou back to an era when thiswas Europe’s summer capital, writesLIESL KING.During the 19th century, everybody who isanybody descended on Baden-Baden for thesummer. Drawn by the thermal springs, likethe Romans of old, by the most sumptuous Casinoin all of Europe and by the Baden-Baden Racecourse.Here the Grosser Preis von Baden has reigned supreme,ever since La Maladetta, a French filly, wonthe inaugural running in the autumn of 1858.Yet time catches up with all of us and 2009 saw theracecourse file for bankruptcy. An ambitious newgrandstand, built in the middle of the recession speltits death knell. The creditors took what they could,leaving the gutted stands looking out over the tallgrass where the likes of Pilsudski, Lomitas and Quijanoonce ran.Luckily Germany is well known for its fairytales, rememberthe brothers Grimm and this one has all theclassic ingredients; a prince who rides to the rescue, agrand ball and even an ugly duckling. But let us startwith the prince.Dr Andreas Jacobs, avid breeder and owner, refused toaccept the inevitable. He firmly believed that with theright management and careful planning the racetrackcould be saved. In 2010, gathering a posse of friendswith the appropriate skills, they took over the runningof the track, under the auspices of Baden <strong>Racing</strong>.All good fairytales must have strange twists and turnsand this one is no different. In that same year, a bayfilly was sold at the Horses in Training Sale at theBBAG sales complex. Despite being by championsire Lomitas, who in this twisted tale belongs to Jacobs,she was neither well bred nor eye-catching, beingslight of frame and not very tall. Her name wasDanedream and she cost her purchaser, Heiko Volz,a mere €9000.Fast-forward two years and it is the eve of the 2012Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden. The rich and thefamous have once more gathered at Baden-Baden’sCasino for the Grand Prix Ball, being held in honourParade 41