Leading competitor in the season finale at Grafenberg racetrack
Großer Preis der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf: A Prestigious International Horse Race
The Großer Preis der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf, a Group 3 flat race, is a highly anticipated event in the world of horse racing. Held annually at the Düsseldorf racecourse in Germany, this race attracts competitive international fields and serves as a season finale for the historic Düsseldorf gallop racetrack.
Over its more than 100 runnings, the race has established a reputation for showcasing promising 3-year-olds and older horses, including contenders with strong form from major Derbies in England and Germany. Notable recent winners include the 3-year-old colt Tornado Alert, trained by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin, who won decisively in 2025, and Best Lightning, the victor of the 104th edition of the race.
The race covers a distance of 1,700 meters and carries significant prize money, with approximately €100,000 going to the first-place winner. This year's event is set to take place on a Sunday, with the race starting at 12:30 PM and the first race commencing around 1:15 PM.
Despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19, the race's organizers, the Düsseldorf Reiter- und Rennverein, are grateful for the support of the state capital. Mayor Thomas Geisel and DRRV board member Klaus Allofs have expressed their enthusiasm for the event, with 1,000 spectators allowed to attend. Tickets can be obtained online via Westticket, with the box office closed.
For those unable to attend, the race can be watched live on the homepage www.duesseldorf-galopp.de and the YouTube channel of the association [www.deutscher-galopp.de]. The TV channel "Sport1" will broadcast live from the races in Düsseldorf from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Prominent horses such as Nebos (1980), Königsstuhl (1981), and Orofino (1982) have won the race in the past, and the winner this year will receive a replica of the Düsseldorf Rheinturm, approximately 70-centimeters high, during the award ceremony. The Rheinbahn will be shuttling ticket holders from the Staufenplatz to the racetrack.
In the past, the race distance has varied, starting at 1,400 meters in 1918, then 2,200 or 2,400 meters in later years, and settling at 1,700 meters since 1983. Max Schmidt holds the record for most wins by a trainer, with five victories, followed by Peter Alafi with four wins.
The Großer Preis der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf is a testament to the rich history and international competitive quality of German horse racing.
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