What a day of racing for John David Hillis: the former Irish jockey has been a trainer at the Munich-Riem racecourse since 2010, but yesterday’s Häusler After Work Race Day was unusually successful even for an experienced trainer like him: “Winning three races at my home track is something very special,” said Hillis. “I love it here.”

Launching Percy, already eight years old, kicked off the winning streak in the Carwow race – a Class III handicap over 2,000 metres with a prize fund of 7,500 euros – which was brought to a close by the four-year-old Royal Ice in the Stellantis & Stellantis Financial Service race over 1,600 metres. On both occasions, Rene Piechulek was in the saddle; despite a fall in the previous race, he was able to continue riding. “I was rewarded straight away for sticking with it,” said the jockey. Hillis’s second victory was secured by multiple German champion jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabavey, who triumphed in the Cargarantie Cup – a Class III handicap over 1,500 metres – with the seven-year-old mare Djariya.

V7 bet wins 12,500 euros
Like Piechulek, Patrick Gibson also won two races. He steered the five-year-old Adios Amor, owned and trained by Corinna Huber, to victory in the BDK race over 2,000 metres. To round off the day’s racing, he went one better in the Honda Cup over 1,500 metres. Golden Time, also a five-year-old, is trained by Jutta Mayer in Riem. Golden Time’s victory meant that the V7 bet – in which punters must correctly predict the winners of seven races – was won by two betting tickets. Each ticket won 12,500 euros.

The main event in Munich began with a trotting race, which Josef Franzl won with My Way Fortuna. The stallion took the lead midway down the home straight and was able to hold off a powerful late charge from Teatox (M. Bock), who, having been at the back of the field for most of the race, finished very strongly.

The youngsters kicked off the racing action. In the Goodyear Cup, with a prize fund of 10,0000 euros, Dimitri – trained by Henk Grewe – lived up to expectations with an easy victory. The clear favourite in the small field of four finished four lengths ahead of Wiema. “That was very easy for him,” said champion jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen after the win. “He’s very professional and could have gone much faster.”

The Grand Dallmayr Prize on 27 July

The Häusler After-Work Race Day is one of the Munich Racing Club’s most popular events. With around 10,000 spectators, the event once again proved a huge draw, and Secretary-General Sascha Multerer was delighted. “A great atmosphere, thrilling races and, above all, a wonderful summer’s evening – horse racing at its most enjoyable!” And the very next race day, on 26 July in Munich, promises to be a highlight. The focus will be on the Grand Dallmayr Prize, one of only seven Group I races – the very best that German horse racing has to offer.