Gestut Etzean's unbeaten 3-year-old filly Palmas (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}) posted a half-length success in her May 16 debut going one mile at Hannover and doubled her tally when upped to 10 1/2 furlongs for Dusseldorf's June 19 Listed Diana-Trial in her only other start. Sent postward as the 9-2 second favourite back over the same strip for Sunday's 163rd Henkel Preis der Diana – German Oaks, she simply outclassed her rivals to win by daylight for a career high. The homebred bay maintained a rail berth through the early fractions and lobbed along in fourth until improving one spot at halfway. Shaken up to force an opening for her challenge passing the quarter-mile marker, Palmas was soon in command and lengthened clear in impressive fashion to hit the line six lengths ahead of G2 Derby Italiano fourth Isfahani (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}). Last term's G3 Preis der Winterkonigin victrix Noble Heidi (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) was a length adrift in third.
“This is really overwhelming and I really do not know what to say,” said Gestut Etzean owner Marc Sonnenburg. “We are just so thankful for her.” Etzean manager Ralf Kredel added, “That was a really great performance considering it was only her third outing. She is her dam's last and best foal and this was the fourth Group 1 German Oaks victory for Gestut Etzean in the past 11 years.”
Palmas become the third Classic and Group 1 winner for her sire (by Dashing Blade {GB}), who is also the grandsire of this year's G1 Deutsches Derby hero Sisfahan (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}). She is her dam's latest foal and one of four black-type winners for the stakes-placed Peace Time (Ger) (Surumu {Ger}). Siblings include her Listed Prix des Sablonnets-winning full-sister Penny Lane (Ger) and G3 Fahrhofer Stutenpreis victrix Peaceful Love (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}). Palmas is also kin to MGSW distaffer Peace Royale (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}) and to the multiple-winning dam of last year's Listed Winterkonigin Trial winner Peaches (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}). Peaceful Love produced last term's G3 Prix La Force victor Pao Alto (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) and Peace Royale is the dam of GSW G2 German 1000 Guineas second Peace In Motion (Hat Trick {Jpn}) and two-time stakes scorer Peace Society (Iffraaj {GB}). Peace Time, who is the leading performer for the stakes-placed Princess of Spain (GB) (King of Spain {GB}), hails from the family of Scandinavian champion Dalby Jaguar (GB) (Sharp Edge {Ire}).
Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany
HENKEL PREIS DER DIANA-G1, €500,000, Dusseldorf, 8-1, 3yo, f, 11fT, 2:12.15, gd.
1–PALMAS (GER), 128, f, 3, by Lord of England (Ger)
1st Dam: Peace Time (Ger) (SP-Ger), by Surumu (Ger)
2nd Dam: Princess of Spain (GB), by King of Spain (GB)
3rd Dam: Pallomere (GB), by Blue Cashmere (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Gestut Etzean (GER); T-Andreas Wohler; J-Eduardo Pedroza. €300,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €310,250. *Full to Penny Lane (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}), SW & GSP-Fr; 1/2 to Peace Royale (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Ger at 7-9.5f & MGSW-Ger, $262,357; to Peaceful Love (Ger) (Dashing Blade {GB}), GSW-Ger; & to Phiz (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}), GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Isfahani (Ger), 128, f, 3, Isfahan (Ger)–Identity (Ger), by Manduro (Ger). (€36,000 Ylg '19 BBAGS). O-Darius Racing; B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Henk Grewe. €100,000.
3–Noble Heidi (Fr), 128, f, 3, Intello (Ger)–Noble Pensee (Fr), by Orpen. (€70,000 Ylg '19 BBAGS). O-Manfred Anton Schmelzer; B-M Bridoux & EARL Haras de l'Hotellerie (FR); T-Henk Grewe. €50,000.
Margins: 6, 1, 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 5.30, 10.00.
Also Ran: Walkaway (Ger), Anoush (Ger), Alaskasonne (Fr), Salonlove (Ger), Normfliegerin (Ger), Amazing Grace (Ger), India (Ger), Reine d'Amour (Ger), Lady Laura (Fr), Andisheh (Ger), Mercedes (Ger), Wismar (Ger), Theodora (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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