
Sign up

The Aussies trying to win the German Derby

Django Freeman wins the G3 Bavarian Classic in May Django Freeman wins the G3 Bavarian Classic in May Image: Supplied
It's a Group One held in Hamburg, Germany in the middle of the Aussie winter - fair to say it's 'off the radar' down under.

But there'll be some excited Australian connections trackside cheering on their leading fancy in the mile-and-a-half 3YO classic, with Django Freeman considered among the main chances of snaring the largest chunk of the €650,000 purse.

Trained by Hank Grewe in Cologne, Django Freeman comes into the G1 with some serious formlines - he's yet to finish outside the top-two in five career starts, and most recently finishing second in the G2 lead-in race over 2200m - albeit 2.5L off Derby favourite Laccario.

The 'Aussie' connection has been established courtesy of bloodstock agent Suman Hedge, who bought into the horse prior to his 3YO campaign.

That campaign kicked off with victory in the G3 Bavarian Classic (2000m), and it could culminate in joy come early Monday morning (12:50am AEST).

Beyond that, Django Freeman is Australia-bound - Hedge to again combine with trainer Rob Hickmott, having already had resounding success earlier this year with German import Schabau.

But first, it's to Hamburg - which isn't exactly around the corner for the Grewe stable. In fact, it's about five hours by road.

Travelling around Germany - from Frankfurt, to Cologne, to Hamburg - Hedge said the overall experience has been memorable for the connections.

"We asked the owners to come out if they could - and a number of them have come out. Rob Hickmott's here, and probably a dozen owners here as well," Hedge told during the week.

"We've been in Frankfurt for a couple of days, and came to Cologne today to see the horse.

"It's been terrific - we're taking it all in, it's very exciting for everyone. It's a bit of a unique situation, and we're looking forward to the Derby on Sunday."

Django Freeman gets a visit from his owner, Suman Hedge (Image: Supplied)

He added, of where Django Freeman fits in: "I think there's a fairly clear favourite, Laccario.

"He defeated us last time. And he looked very strong there, and he's drawn quite nicely as well so he's probably the clear favourite.

"Django Freeman and Quest The Moon are probably the next line. It's a strong race, I think it's a good crop of 3YOs this year.

"Like anything, I think it'll depend on a number of factors - luck in running, and those sorts of things will definitely determine the result.

"But we go in quietly confident that he'll acquit himself well."

Australian punters would be familiar with a couple of the Derby jockeys - reigning Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Patrick Cosgrave (Amiro), and summer visitor Martin Seidl (Sibelius).

But what of Lukas Delozier, the man with the reins on Django Freeman?

"Lukas Delozier he's a young French jockey, he's been riding in Germany for a little while," Hedge said.

"He's quite a promising young rider. It's obviously a great opportunity for him.

"He's got a really strong affinity with the horse, riding him all the way through [four times for two wins], and understands the horse very well.

"He was pretty convinced at his last start that there was a lot of improvement, and didn't want to push the horse unnecessarily knowing his grand final was the Derby.

"Hopefully we can make up the difference to last time, it'll be quite a challenge, but see how we go."

Sunday is grand final No.1 - and while the owners are still living in the moment, a good performance would undoubtedly have them then turning their attentions to a Cups campaign in the spring.

Hedge explained Django Freeman - stepping up to the 2400m for the first time - would have to show he can stick the trip to put himself in any contention for this spring's features.

His bloodlines would suggest he's every chance - he's a son of Campanologist, who finished 16th in the 2010 Melbourne Cup [behind Americain] but won multiple G1s over a mile-and-a-half in Europe.

"There's probably several different options, depending on how he performs in the Derby," Hedge said.

"We want to see that the horse runs out the distance. Until then, we won't really know.

"And that will sort of show what we aim at for the spring for Rob Hickmott.

"I think the other thing too that we have to manage is the weather conditions.

"It's summer here, it's been really warm, when we arrived it was 38 degrees. To take him from that into the cold winter, I think it's asking a lot of them. So we'll just monitor that and see what the best timeframe is, with enough time to set him for the race we want in the spring, but also managing the horse and not making it too different.

"I think they come over in the cold part of the year, and they can switch off and then it's hard to get them back up for the spring after that.

"Rob will assess all that over the coming days and make a decision."

Django Freeman going for a stroll around his Cologne stable (Image: Supplied)

Django Freeman is just the latest success story for Hedge's bloodstock operation out of German - Schabau (unbeaten in Australia) the other, with his spring off the table after injuring a tendon after his high-flying autumn campaign.

Hedge humbly put it down to a bit of luck that they've struck gold in Germany, but his success stories didn't start with his own venture of late - having bought Zoustar as a yearling, and bred the horse that turned out to be trainer Chris Waller's first G1 winner - Triple Honour (2008 Doncaster Mile), in previous roles.

"We've been lucky so far," Hedge said, referencing dipping his toe into the Germany market.

"We bought two, and there was one other we vetted - a horse called Accon, we didn't proceed with that sale but he's running in the Derby, and he's won a stakes race as well.

"So the three [we looked at] have all won at black-type level, so it's been a really good start for us - you're not under any illusions that we can maintain that kind of strike-rate, but if we can continue to pick the eyes out of it and buy the right types of horses [you give yourself the best chance]. We're pretty selective about the way we go about it.

"We get offered a lot of horses now from Europe, particularly from Germany - we don't press the button that often.

"It's definitely an area I'm looking to expand upon, and looking for more people to join us in what we're doing.

"The owners here are having such a good time. It was a unique thing to do, buying into a 2YO, and we weren't really sure how it'd play out - being so far away from where you are.

"Fortunately because he's performed well, and now they've had the opportunity to come here and be part of a Derby prep, take in a new country and culture - they're really enjoying it.

"Looking at this for me, it's something we want to do in the future as well."

READ: Aussie-bound stayer eyes German Derby

Share your thoughts

Good read and a good looking horse too. Best of luck to everyone Involved
Be suprised if it gets close to laccario. Follow that horse as i have a feeling it may come downunder next year
Nice story, well written with quotes and a decent length for a change.
Luke Sheehan
Story ideas?