Mülheim Turf Season Opens with Baltromei Honored, Upsets and Record Payouts
Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany – The 2026 turf season officially kicked off at the Galopprennbahn Raffelberg on March 23, 2026, with a day of racing marked by thrilling finishes, a prestigious award ceremony, and a record-breaking payout for one lucky bettor. The event drew a crowd of 3,000 spectators eager to witness the start of the new season.
Sportswoman of the Year Honored
Prior to the races, the Rennclub Mülheim e.V. Honored Nina Baltromei as Mülheim an der Ruhr’s Sportswoman of the Year for 2025. The recognition, presented at the medl-Nacht der Sieger on Saturday evening at the Westenergie-Sporthalle, celebrates Baltromei’s remarkable achievements in horse racing. She was selected over fellow nominees Miranda Wilson (Badminton), Julia Grabowski (Figure Skating), and Annika Weber (Renn-Ruder-Gemeinschaft – Rowing Club).
Baltromei’s 2025 season was historic, culminating in a groundbreaking victory at the German Derby in Hamburg – the first time a female jockey had ever won the prestigious race. Riding Hochkönig, she etched her name into German racing history. Her success extends beyond the track; she has also served as an ambassador for Mülheim, raising the city’s profile internationally, including a recent win in a jockey competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “I am totally thrilled and experience very honored, I didn’t necessarily expect this,” Baltromei said upon receiving the award.
Coming from a prominent Mülheim racing family – her father, Werner Baltromei, is considered a legendary trainer, though he passed away in 2012 – Baltromei currently trains with Yasmin Almenräder at the Mülheim stable. Before her Derby triumph, she had already secured two German Amateur Championship titles in thoroughbred racing.
Weekend Warrior and Sonic Bloom Impress in Three-Year-Old Races
The racing action began with strong performances from three-year-old horses. Weekend Warrior secured the first turf win of the year, dominating the race by 4 ¾ lengths. Trained by Henk Grewe for owner Eckhard Sauren, the Japan-sired colt is also nominated for the Derby. Thore Hammer-Hansen, the reigning German Jockey Champion, was in the saddle for the victory.
Later in the day, Sonic Bloom, a 3/1 co-favorite, triumphed in the second race for three-year-olds. Jockey Esentur Turganaaly Uulu guided the horse to an easy win, setting the stage for a potential appearance at the Dr. Busch-Memorial in Krefeld.
Kinnigoli Kid Delivers a Stunning Upset
The most surprising result of the day came in the Preis der Green Liners Mülheim, a 1,400-meter race with a purse of €13,000. Kinnigoli Kid, a Belgian outsider at odds of 26.6:1, pulled off a major upset. Jockey Sean Byrne, based in Mülheim and working at Yasmin Almenräder’s stable, expertly navigated the horse to victory, securing his second win of the day.
Heimsieg for Maidstone and a Record-Breaking Viererwette
Local trainer Yasmin Almenräder celebrated a home victory with Maidstone, ridden by Sean Byrne. The win delighted owner Robin Weber. Another race saw a close finish, with Oak Lahoma narrowly defeating local favorite Adjö. Dr. Andreas Bolte’s Night Lord delivered the most dominant performance of the day, ridden by Leon Wolff, who subsequently took the lead in the German Jockey Championship standings, earning the “Goldene Armbinde” (Golden Armband). The Viererwette (quadruple bet) in this race yielded a record payout of 22,368:1.
For those unfamiliar with German horse racing, the Viererwette requires bettors to correctly predict the winners of four consecutive races. The exceptionally high payout reflects the difficulty of the bet and the unexpected results throughout the day.
Looking Ahead
The next event at the Mülheimer Galopprennbahn is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th, with the Frühlings-Renntag (Spring Race Day). Fans can expect another exciting day of racing and entertainment.
Source: Press Release Rennclub Mülheim e.V.
Next Up: The Mülheimer Galopprennbahn will host the Frühlings-Renntag on May 17th. Maintain an eye on the Rennclub Mülheim website for further details and ticket information.
