Night Magic charged from last to first to score a decisive victory in the Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis Von Baden (Ger-I) Sept. 5.
Making her first start since finishing second to Lady Jane Digby in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (Ger-I) in July, Night Magic was settled at the rear of the field of six by jockey Filip Minarik as Northern Glory set the early pace. Favorite Cavalryman tracked him from second, with Quijano stalking in third.
The order remained unchanged throughout the early stages of the race as Northern Glory continued to show the way on the front end. The pace began to increase as the field entered the home straight. Northern Glory eventually surrendered the lead to Night Magic, who had made a sweeping move down the center of the course to take command two furlongs from home.
Frankie Dettori tried to mount a challenge with Cavalryman, but the son of Halling had nothing in the tank and continued on at one pace. Night Magic swept under the wire for a 1 3/4-length win over Quijano. Cavalryman finished third, another 1 3/4 lengths further back.
Final time for the 12-furlong contest was 2:32.73 over a turf course rated as good.
This was the second group I win for Night Magic, who captured the Henkel Preis der Diana (German Oaks) last year. The 4-year-old filly improved her record to five wins from 12 starts. She has finished in the money 10 times.
Winning trainer Wolfgang Figge was unsure of where Night Magic would start next, saying after the race, “The Preis Von Europa (Ger-I) in Cologne in three weeks time is a possibility and we are also considering races in Japan for her later on.”
Ecstatic owner Hans-Gerd Wernicke added, “This is a very moving moment for me as the filly is very close to my heart. As a breeder also, I’m looking to the future and would like to keep her here as part of the German breeding industry.”
Night Magic is by Sholokhov out of Night Woman, by Monsun. She was bred in Germany by Gestut Etzean, and hails from the immediate female family of champions Night Music and Novelle.
