With Hochkönig, Nina Baltromei Becomes the First Female Jockey to Win the German Derby
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
With a dramatic late surge, the Polish Vulcano colt captured the 156th Deutsches Derby (G1), making history in the process
HAMBBURGO, Alemania (Special for Turf Diario).- German racing witnessed a historic day on Sunday at Hamburg-Horn Racecourse, where the 156th running of the IDEE Deutsches Derby (G1, 2400m, turf, €650,000) crowned its newest hero in dramatic fashion. With a finish as electrifying as it was unexpected, Hochkönig stormed home to claim Germany’s most prestigious race—but it was his rider, Nina Baltromei, who etched her name into history as the first female jockey ever to win the German Derby. The milestone also marked her 50th career victory as a professional rider, achieved on none other than the day before her 27th birthday.
Daughter of the late trainer Werner Baltromei, who passed away in 2012, Nina began riding as an amateur before only recently turning professional. Fate scripted the perfect moment as 13,681 spectators erupted to celebrate her historic success in the Blaues Band.
There was another groundbreaking achievement for women on the day: Hochkönig is trained by Yasmin Almenräder, based at Mülheim, who became the first female trainer to saddle a German Derby winner. “It was a magical race. Nina read it perfectly, and the horse gave everything,” Almenräder said, visibly emotional.
A Finish from Nowhere
Running for Stall Cloverleaf of Hans Bierkämper and Bernd-Robert Gossens, and bred by Marc and Gabi Rühl, Hochkönig was sent off as a longshot at 19.3-1 in a strong, competitive field. Settled towards the rear for most of the trip, he watched as Delgardo (Best Solution) set the early pace tracked by Name Lord (Lord of England), Pompeo Dream (Muhaarar), Zuckerhut (Almanzor), and the British favorite Convergent (Fascinating Rock), who seemed in control turning for home.
But in the closing strides, Baltromei angled Hochkönig sharply to the inside, unleashing a ferocious late run to snatch victory by a short head in 2:37.10. The winner’s share was €390,000.
Lazio (Make Believe) finished a strong third at high odds, with Path of Soldier (Soldier Hollow) and Enzian (Zarak) dead-heating for fourth, while favorite Zuckerhut faded to sixth. Highly regarded filly Lady Charlotte (Golden Horn) was a non-factor in ninth. There was sad news for French challenger The Sheriff (Almanzor), who was pulled up midrace with injuries later diagnosed as fractures to both front fetlocks, requiring immediate clinical care.
Reactions of Pure Emotion
“I don’t know what to say… I’m completely overwhelmed. I want to thank everyone who supported me; it feels like there is a fan club around me now. I still can’t believe I won the Derby,” said a tearful Nina Baltromei as she dismounted to a standing ovation.
Trainer Yasmin Almenräder was equally moved: “Hochkönig is a horse with everything you want. When it looked like he couldn’t keep up, Nina stayed cool and waited for the exact right moment. What they did today was simply sensational.”
Breeder and owner Albert Darboven, also the race sponsor, enjoyed a personal connection to the victory: “The winner’s sire, Polish Vulcano, stands at our stud, and his grandsire Pik König gave me this same Derby win in 1992.”
