Andrasch Starke

German legend Andrasch Starke has retired from the saddle, Galopp Online reported on Friday morning. The most successful German jockey of all time, Starke has at least 2,853 victories to his credit on record during his time in Europe and several more in Asia. Although he won eight Deutsches Derbys and was crowned a champion in Germany 10 times, Starke is best remembered as the partner of the indomitable German Horse of the Year Danedream. The daughter of Lomitas won the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2011 and...

Rennstall Gestut Hachtsee's Zuckerhut (Almanzor) was too good for his rivals in a strong renewal of Monday's G2 Sparkasse KolnBonn 190th Union-Rennen at Cologne and the G3 Bavarian Classic fourth punched his ticket to July's G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg with a one-length triumph in Germany's premier trial for the main event. The 5-2 favourite, who had previously snagged his Apr. 6 debut at Mulheim, employed patient tactics and was positioned off the pace in sixth for most of this 11-furlong contest. Rowed along to reduce arrears at the top...

German-born Andrasch Starke became the oldest winning jockey in the history of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) as the 51-year-old partnered Kamunyak to a last-gasp victory in the second leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara at Tokyo on Sunday. It was a first Group 1 success on Japanese soil for Starke, who has been crowned Germany's champion jockey on 10 occasions and is perhaps best known internationally for his association with the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Danedream. Maintaining...

German raider Borna (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) ran out a comfortable winner of Sunday's G2 Premio 141 Derby Italiano at Capannelle Racecourse in Rome, his third win from five career starts for Markus Klug. Stepping up to the 2,200-metre trip for the first time, Borna proved well suited by the extra emphasis on stamina in a race run on soft ground. He was soon in a prominent position on the outer in the hands of Andreas Starke, with Amonet (Ity) (Faydhan) leading the 15-strong field until he was passed with...

Markus Klug trainee Wonderful Boy (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}--Wonderful Gorl {Ger}, by Areion {Ger}), who was last seen shedding maiden status at Cologne in September, stamped his authority on Sunday's G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen at Krefeld and hit the line with a wide-margin buffer for a career high in the 8 1/2-furlong test. The 17-5 chance, who had earlier poster an Aug. 26 debut third at Baden-Baden, was swiftly into stride from the inside stall and claimed an immediate lead. Allowed an inch of rein soon after turning for...

Just a head separated Shagara (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}--She Bang {Fr}, by Monsun {Ger}) and Lady Mary (Ger) (Lawman {Fr}) when they ran second and third in last month's Listed Winterkonigin-Trial at Cologne, and it was a case of as you were as the pair fought out an exciting finish to Sunday's G3 BBAG Preis der Winterkonigin at Baden-Baden. Shagara had earlier defeated the reopposing New York City (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) over seven furlongs in her Aug. 19 debut at Mulheim and that rival provided an added boost to...

Gestut Ittlingen's well-regarded G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) entry Daytona Sea (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}--Daytona {GB}, by Motivator {GB}) was usurped at the tills for Monday's Primetec-Pokal at Hannover, but was unmatched in the 11-furlong contest and powered to 'TDN Rising Stardom' with an impressive debut triumph. She was rousted from the gates to occupy a slot along the rail in a handy third for the most part. Improving one spot off the home turn, the 29-10 second choice swooped for control approaching the final furlong and was...

Sporting the famed Gestut Rottgen silks in Cologne's Preis vom Weidenpescher Park on Sunday, Naila (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) overpowered her peers to become the latest German TDN Rising Star. Sent off the 9-10 favourite for the 1850-metre maiden, the Markus Klug-trained chestnut broke well from the widest stall to track the leading duo throughout the early stages. Taking control approaching the two-furlong marker, she surged clear to win unchallenged by 10 lengths with Andrasch Starke easing down. The winner is the last known foal out of the listed-winning dam Naomia (Ger) (Monsun...

Gestut Rottgen's homebred 2-year-old colt Aspirant (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}--Aussicht {Ger}, by Haafhd {GB}), who holds an engagement in Krefeld's Nov. 13 G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen, went postward as the 16-5 second choice for Sunday's one-mile Preis der Holschbach Immobilien Gruppe at Dusseldorf and returned home with a 'TDN Rising Star' after disposing of his rivals in impressive fashion. Aspirant was professional from the gate and broke well to gain a narrow advantage going into the first turn. Comfortable on the lead throughout this debut, he was nudged along at the...

Gestut Schlenderhan's homebred 3-year-old filly Mountaha (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}--Montfleur {GB}, by Sadler's Wells) ran third to subsequent G3 Preis der Winterkonigin heroine Lizaid (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) when making her debut over one mile at Hannover last September and bested a pair of subsequent winners when breaking through over the same trip at Dortmund in her only other start the following month. Sent postward with confidence aplenty as the 21-10 favourite to make a winning comeback in Sunday's G3 Karin Baronin von Ullmann - Schwarzgold-Rennen at Cologne, she took the one-mile...

Gestut Karlshof's 3-year-old filly Mylady (Ger) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), who backed up an Aug. 22 debut win at Mulheim with a narrow score in Dusseldorf's Sept. 12 Listed Junioren-Preis, maintained her perfect record and went three-for-three in Sunday's G3 Dr Busch Memorial at Krefeld. The homebred grey, sent postward as the 11-5 favourite, was bustled along from the gates to remain in touch with the pack through the initial strides of this 8 1/2-furlong test. Angled wide for a clear passage in the straight, she quickened in impressive fashion...

Following in the steps of his sire Isfahan (Ger), Sisfahan (Fr) came out on top of the cluster of contenders for Sunday's G1 IDEE Deutsches Derby at Hamburg to realise a dream for Darius Racing. Runner-up in the 11-furlong Listed Derby Trial at Dusseldorf May 30, the €20,000 Arqana Autumn Sale purchase was waited with in rear of the pack early by Andrasch Starke from his wide draw. Remaining towards the tail but in touch straightening for home, the Henk Grewe-trained chestnut was sent towards the far rail as Stall...