A Short Trip
Through the History of International Thoroughbred Races in Baden-Baden
 The history of the Grosser Preis von Baden and the Baden-Baden races traces back to 1858. Since then the Grosser Preis von Baden and Baden-Baden itself are the most popular race and racecourse in Germany. Nestled between the Rhine, that source of all German romance, and the Black Forest, the spa town has been a host to horses and their followers since the first meeting in 1858. This was run under the aegis of the French Societé Sportive d`Encouragement, because the German Jockey Club, then based in Berlin, did not take the place seriously.
As with many other courses, the reason for the building of the racecourse was to provide an adjunct to the town`s major attraction, the Casino. The franchise for the latter was held by a Frenchman, Edouard Bénazet, who decided that his guests needed some innocent entertainment during the daylight hours before the Casino`s evening diversions began.
 Although the racing was successful, it fell victim to international politics. The Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 concerned precisely that part of the world - the Alsace-Lorraine-Bavarian border - and racing was discontinued until that particular dispute had been settled. The outcome naturally meant that the French authorities could not easily continue running the track, so the Internationaler Club Baden-Baden was born - a gathering of some of the highest nobility based in Baden-Baden at the time - and that body still organizes racing.
Baden-Baden hosts two festivals, the long established Autumn meeting, the “Grand Week”, and the more recent “Spring Festival”. Both festivals are of tremendous success generating up to 160 000 spectators and a tote turnover of 20 Million Euro. Both festivals consist of 6 racedays each. Usually a racecard consists of nine races a day. All in all there are ten Group Races now run at Iffezheim racetrack.
In 2004 there will be an additional race meeting, the “Sales & Racing Festival” at the end of October. It will feature three Group-Races on the Sunday, a first for German racing.
Iffezheim racetrack with its special charm is situated some eight miles west from the centre of the town near the village of Iffezheim. The daunting splendour of the Black Forest lies in front of the visitors.
The course has often been compared to Deauville because of the same relaxed holiday atmosphere - one is not just there to race, but also to enjoy the antiquity of the course and the buildings - and to Ascot because of the elegance of the spot.
The course opens early in the morning and as you have the famous breakfast in the stands, you can view the horses being exercised on the course, surely the best way for a racing man to come to grips with the early hours.
 The major race of both meetings and the season is the Grosser Preis von Baden, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz for many years and now sponsored by Bugatti.. French, Italian, British and even a superstar from Australia figure on the roll of past winners, as well as many of Germany`s great champions. In the more recent history the race has produced two Arc-winners - Carroll House and Marienbard - two Japan Cup- winners - Lando and Pilsudski, who also won a Breeders ` Cup Turf - and many other champions who travelled and conquered the racing world after winning the Grosser Preis von Baden. It is for that, that the Grosser Preis von Baden is part of the World Series Racing Championship since the year 2000.
Baden-Baden though is not only the number one place for flat racing in Germany, it is the number one place for steeplechasing and hurdle racing as well, featuring the most valuable jump races in the German racing calendar. Each raceday a racecard incorporates one important steeplechase or hurdle race.
 The international flavour of the racing reflects the character of Baden-Baden. The style of the architecture in the town proper is Franco-Italian, whilst English is to be heard everywhere. The stock of the spa town has risen considerably since the intrepid Monsieur Bénazet began his adventure. The latest achievement is the new festival hall, which can host up to 2.500 spectators, only excelled by the Paris Opera in Europe. Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, was a frequent visitor to the town, and to this day European notables are often in evidence.
The day before the Grosser Preis sees Germany`s one international yearling sale. Considering the huge prices paid elsewhere and the quality of the German bloodstock, the sales always seem to be a real bargain for those interested in stoutly bred horses.
The track facilities provide spectators with every luxury they could expect on a racecourse and combine an excellent view of the racing. All in all there is little that one could fault about both the course and the welcome provided by the people from Baden, who flock the course in greater numbers than to any other German racecourse.
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