Padre Palou triumphs at the Fürstenberg race in Hoppegarten!

Padre Palou triumphs at the Fürstenberg race in Hoppegarten!

On July 20, 2025, the racecourse in Berlin-Hoppegarten was a scene full of thrills and thrilling races. At the traditional Fürstenberg race, the fourth racing day of the season, the five-year-old stallion Padre Palou triumphed under the experienced champion jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen. He crossed the finish line with a neck lead and secured prize money of 55,000 euros. He needed a time of 2:29.6 minutes to cover the race distance of 2,400 meters. The event attracted around 9,100 spectators who were immersed in the captivating spectacle.

Trainer Henk Grewe from Cologne was extremely satisfied with his horse's performance and explained: “Padre Palou was actually supposed to go in front, but the rider quickly made the right decision based on the situation.” In addition to the winner, the Norwegian Ami de Vega came in second place, followed by Diamond Crown, in third place, whose trainer Andreas Suborics also comes from Cologne.

A day full of highlights

The day was not only a success for Padre Palou. The Derby winning rider Nina Baltromei from Mülheim was able to celebrate twice during the supporting program and thus remains on her successful path. The spectators also experienced an unpleasant incident when the four-year-old mare Sweet Summer was caught riderless and uninjured in the inner part of the track. She did not take part in the race, which further increased the tension among the spectators.

Horse racing has strong cultural roots in Germany and plays an important economic role. Around 1,000 horse races take place every year, attracting more than a million spectators. The popularity of racing is also reflected in the increasing betting turnover, which reached almost 29 million euros in 2023. For many families, the moderate admission prices represent a great opportunity to spend an exciting day at the racetrack.

Statistics from the racing world

The racecourse in Hoppegarten has a long history, dating back to its opening in 1868, and experienced a remarkable rebirth in 2008. In Germany, the racecourse is still a center for horse racing, which is interesting not only for professionals, but also for amateur punters and horse fans. The sporting challenges and the atmosphere add to the fascination.

For Padre Palou and his owner Volker Käufling, the victory was another step towards a promising future. In a sport that is characterized by tradition and ambition, there is an opportunity to compete even higher in the future. More exciting races are on the program and the anticipation for the next competition is already palpable.

The world of horse racing remains vibrant and fascinating. Dedicated trainers, talented jockeys and passionate fans ensure this legacy stays alive well into the future.

For more details about the events in Hoppegarten, you can visit the reports Media sports service and n-tv read while gaining deeper insights into the numbers and statistics of horse racing Horses100 can be found.