Danedream has successfully defended her crown in the Grosser Preis Von Baden in her lead-up to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The Peter Schiergen-trained mare landed this Group One prize in her homeland prior to her memorable victory in last year’s Arc and she is likely to return to Longchamp as a leading fancy for Europe’s premier middle-distance prize.
Fresh from her narrow triumph in July’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, the four-year-old was never too far off the pace and was brought towards the near side in the home straight by Andrasch Starke.
German Derby winner Pastorius and talented mare Ovambo Queen both refused to go down without a fight, with all three still in with a chance of winning heading inside the final furlong (200m).
But Danedream kept responding to pressure to claim victory, with Ovambo Queen just beating Pastorius to the runner-up spot.
Coral left Danedream unchanged at 6-1 for the Arc next month behind their 9-4 favourite Camelot.
“Having proved last year’s Arc win was no fluke with victory in this summer’s King George, Danedream will head back to Longchamp prominent in the betting for back-to-back wins,” Coral’s David Stevens said.
“With Triple Crown-seeking Camelot not certain to run in Paris, and Frankel staying in England for the Qipco Champion Stakes, the German filly could even start favourite for the Arc.”
Patrick Barbe, racing manager for part-owner Teruya Yoshida, was at Baden-Baden to witness the performance first hand and was thrilled.
“We are very happy,” he said.
“The instructions were to not give the filly a hard race and Andrasch only gave her one crack of the whip to keep her straight.
“Although she has not won by a very big margin, she has won very easily and we look forward to Longchamp again.”
