Preis der Diana – German Oaks Day takes centre stage at Düsseldorf, with the spotlight firmly on S1-5, the Group 1 German Oaks over 2,200 metres, where leading fillies from France and Germany meet head-on.
The obvious starting point is Yann Barberot-trained LAPOTHEOSE. Unbeaten in four career starts, the French filly was particularly impressive when winning the Group 2 Prix de Saint-Alary over 2,000 metres at ParisLongchamp on her latest appearance. Stepping up another 200 metres, she remains one of the leading contenders and one of the most prominent international challengers in this year’s German Oaks.
The home challenge is headed by Andreas Wöhler-trained SOREANGA. She arrives after winning the Group 3 Hamburger Stutenpreis, demonstrating both ability and fighting spirit. Wöhler has won the German Oaks twice in the past five years and also captured the German Derby in July with DARDANOS, making his big-race form particularly noteworthy.
Another angle worth following is the combination of trainer Marcel Weiss and jockey Sibylle Vogt. Weiss has long been a respected force in German middle-distance and staying races and saddles the unbeaten NIGHT BREATH in the German Oaks. In S1-1, Vogt also partners REINE DES ROSES for the stable. With the yard in good form, their runners are worth keeping firmly on the radar at Düsseldorf.
This year’s German Oaks brings together an unbeaten French star and a strong group of home defenders, so the contest is far from one-sided. Whether LAPOTHEOSE can preserve her perfect record will be the biggest question of the day.