Five contenders went after Sunday’s G3 Wettstar.de Preis des Winterfavoriten in Cologne and, despite the lack of numbers for Germany’s premier youth race of the year, the quality was not in question as the quintet lined up for the final quarter-mile before the Stall Hanse is so far undefeated Lifetimes (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–La Petite Virginia {Ger}, by Konigstiger {Ger}) claimed superiority in the closing stages of an exciting renewal.
The Peter Schiergen pupil had recorded an easy 10-length triumph over the same trip over one mile at Dortmund last month, and lined up as the 19-10 second choice, was settled to run last of the five runners after an alarming break. He was pushed forward in the straight, joined all four opponents passing the quarter-mile marker and continued strongly under whipless rousting in the closing stages to win by 3/4 of a length from the 17-10 favorite Think Giant (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The duo pulled 2 1/2 lengths clear of the rest, led by Serial needles (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), inside the last piece. The victory gave Schiergen a sixth victory and followed in the hoofprints of Geography (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who registered a narrow success last year.
The ownership of Stall Hanse consists of Moritz Becher, Philip von Ullmann, Vinzenz Klemm and Dr. Andreas Jacobs. Becher stated: “We hope he is a for [G1 Deutsches] Derby next year, as opposed to [subsequent G3 Fritz Henkel-Preis winner] Geography.”
Schiergen continued: “He has come on very well from his runaway maiden win [at Dortmund] here, where he was to fight for the first time. He fought and he did it well. I think he will be able to handle a longer trip.”
Winning rider Bauyrzhan Murzabayev added: “He’s definitely a very good horse. He always works well and was the deserved winner here.”
🇩🇪 Winter favorite price
Cologne – Groupe 3 – 2 ans – 1600m – 5 Pts – €155,000🏆 🥇Life times 🏇Bauyrzhan Murzabayev @BauyrzhanBauy1
🥈Think big
🥉Serial needles📖(Gleneagles (Ire) @coolmorestud – La Petite Virginia (Ger) by Konigstiger… pic.twitter.com/vtCgLyTT3D
— French and international horse racing (@Vincenzo0612) 13 October 2024
Pedigree notes
Lifetimes, the fifth of six foals, is one of two scorers produced by an unbred half-sister to G1 Deutsches Derby-winning sire Lavirco (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}), double Group-winning G1 Deutsches Derby placegetter Laveron (Ger) ( Konigsstuhl {Ger}) and G3 Furstenberg-Rennen wins Lyonel’s Glory (GB) (Green Desert). He becomes the 25th pattern race winner for his father. Progeny of the April-felt chestnut’s second dam La Virginia (Ger) (Surumu {Ger}) also include Group 3-winning G1 Premio Lydia Tesio runner-up Lacy (Ger) (Authorized {Ire}) and dual Group 3-winning sire Langtang (German) (Campanologist). La Virginia is a full sister to G3 Neusser Herbst Stutenpreis victrix and G3 German 1000 Guineas runner-up La Colorada (German), herself dam to multiple Group 1 winning sire Lomitas (GB) (Niniski), of which this is the dam. line of Gestut Fahrhof’s blue hen Love In (GB) (Crepello {GB}). The latter’s progeny include G1 Deutsches Derby-winning sire Lagunas (GB) (Ile De Bourbon) and leading sire Lord Of England (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}). Lifetimes is a half-brother to G1 Pretty Polly Stakes heroine and G1 Yorkshire Oaks third La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Camelot (GB).
Sunday, Cologne, Germany
WETTSTAR.DE – PREIS DES WINTERFAVORITEN-G3€155,000, Cologne, 10-13, 2-year-old, 8fT, 1:39.76, sf.
1–LIFETIMES (IRE), 128, c, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)
1st dam: La Petite Virginia (German), by Konigstiger (German)
2nd dam: La Virginia (German), by Surumu (German)
3rd dam: La Dorada (Ire), by Kronzeuge (Fr)
1. BLACK-TYPE WINS; 1. GROUP WINNER. (€85,000 RNA Ylg ’23 BBAGS). O-Stall Hanse; B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (IRE); T-Peter Schiergen; J-Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. €85,000. Lifetime record: 2-2-0-0, €91,000. *1/2 to La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $470,569. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for eNick’s report & 5-cross pedigreeor free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Think Giant (GB)128, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Think Of Me (Ger), by So You Think (NZ). 1. BLACK TYPE; 1. GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€160,000 Ylg ’23 ARQOCT). O-Eckhard Sauren; B-Clear Light SAS (GB); T-Christophe Ferland. €31,000.
3–Serial needles (GB)128, c, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)–Serienheilige (Ger), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1. BLACK TYPE; 1. GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Wachowitz; B-Gestut Wittekindshof (GB); T-Marcel Weiss. €20,500.
Margins: 3/4, 2HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.90, 1.70, 2.80.
Ran also: Kolsch (Ger), Name Lord (Ger).