Germany is worth the trip – Interview with Kevin Blake
- Luis Kimmel
- 5 hours ago
- 8 min read
In a few days’ time, the whole of Germany’s racing scene will be flocking to the auction grounds of the Baden-Badener Auktionsgesellschaft (BBAG). From 2nd to 4th September, over 200 yearlings will be inspected in Iffezheim near Baden-Baden in the hope of finding the next superstar.
Kevin Blake will be attending for the second time this year. The Irishman works as an expert for ITV and At The Races, is also a successful breeder and owner, running his own stud farm, Golden Farm, in County Tipperary. As co-owner of JAMES J BRADDOCK (Zarak), Blake secured third place in this year’s G1 Epsom Derby.
In Germany, Kevin Blake has been a familiar figure since at least 2024. As Joseph O’Brien’s race planner and one of AL RIFFA's (Wootton Bassett) co-owners, he travelled to Hoppegarten with the trainer. It was there that Al Riffa won the G1 Westminster 134th Grosser Preis von Berlin two years ago.
In an interview with GaloppDaily's Luis Kimmel, Blake talks not only about the upcoming BBAG Yearling Sale, but also about German breeding and the problems plaguing German racing.
“It’s a sale that produces racehorses”
Last year, Blake attended Germany’s most important auction in person for the first time. In the end, they were the ones who held out the longest for a colt by COUNTERATTACK (Redoute’s Choice), securing him for €55,000: “SEVEN NATION ARMY was a horse we liked a lot. I was a fan of Counterattack. Joseph and I, we bought a filly by him in 2024, so we wanted another one last year and we felt that Seven Nation Army was the best one in the sale. It was great for him to win at Galway couple of weeks ago. We think he's going to improve again. We’ll try to get him into a very valuable auction race at Doncaster’s St. Leger Meeting.”
International buyers are playing an increasingly important role for the BBAG and German breeders, so it is a positive sign that some of the major agents will be travelling to Iffezheim again in 2026. Blake has also noticed this positive trend: “We’ve had this auction on our radar for quite some time. It’s a sale that performs very well and that punches above its weight, in terms of numbers of stakes horses that it produces. We’re delighted to come back this year. It’s a sale that produces racehorses, and that’s the most important thing.”
One thing that must not be forgotten, despite the difficult situation in Germany is, that German breeders are achieving outstanding results internationally. Between 2014 and 2023, well under 10,000 foals were born over here. Nevertheless, remarkable successes were achieved international level. Two Arc victories by WALDGEIST (Galileo) and TORQUATOR TASSO (Adlerflug), whilst TAMFANA – bred by Gestüt Etzean and Hans-Helmut Rodenburg – triumphed in the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes in 2024. Gestüt Höny-Hof bred PRINCESS ZOE (Jukebox Jury) won the G1 Prix du Cadran in 2020; GOLIATH (Adlerflug) won the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2024; and LAZY GRIFF, bred by Gestüt Westerberg, became the first German bred ever to place in the Epsom Derby last year – to name but a few successes.
Blake, too, is impressed by the quality of German horses: “They do really well historically for the numbers of foals they produce. German breeders prepare their horses slightly differently, but the racecourses are the ultimate proving ground and the German approach clearly works. Joseph would go anywhere to find a good yearling, and
Germany is definitely worth the trip.”
Germany’s next generation of sires
At present, it is clear to see the direction in which the international thoroughbred market is heading: precociousness and speed. Germany, on the other hand, has always been a country of tough and sound stayers. Qualities that Blake also values: “We want horses that stay 10 furlongs or a mile and a half. There's always been a strong emphasis in Germany to breed such horses. The emphasis on breeding sound horses from sound stallions. That’s an obvious focus through the whole German racing and breeding industry.”
Germany’s stallion market remains an interesting one for Blake: “Germany has had a number of world-class stallions, some of whom have sadly passed away recently.” He is referring primarily to ADLERFLUG and SOLDIER HOLLOW (both by In The Wings), the latter of whom will be represented at this year’s auctions with his final yearlings. “There is certainly a transition phase happening right now. A lot of stallions standing in Germany don't cover big crops by international standards. So, you’re dealing with smaller samples of crops in which to judge them on. Obviously, there’s a huge hope for Torquator Tasso. It’s still the very early days for him. We saw a lot of his stock last year and we're looking forward to seeing them again this year. ALSON (Areion) is another one. Joseph has trained several offspring of Alson and has had luck with them. JAPAN (Galileo) is obviously getting going as well.”
“The racecourse results are what really matters”
As an auction becomes increasingly international, it must also be judged against international standards. Whilst the BBAG cannot (yet) compete with the major auction houses in France, Ireland or the UK, the Iffezheim organisers are certainly on a par with them when it comes to the organisation and running of the sale. Blake does, however, observe certain differences: “Auctions in Germany are definitely different. In Ireland and on the international market, the horses are prepared very thoroughly. Whereas the yearlings in Germany, aren’t prepared as robustly and it’s all a little bit more natural. That’s not a negative, that’s just a difference. I wouldn't suggest changing anything because the racecourse results are what really matters.”
This year, 227 yearlings feature in the catalogue for the BBAG Yearling Sales. Preparing thoroughly before the auction is essential. However, according to Blake, the final and perhaps most important confirmation should be sought in person. “We always try to see as many horses as possible. Sometimes a good horse can come from an unlikely pedigree. So, it’s important to see them and give them a chance,” says the Irishman, explaining his auction philosophy. He is often asked whether one should buy offspring of stallion X or Y. Blake’s simple answer: “If you like the horse enough and it’s available at a good price, why not?”
“The price you pay has to be right”
Blake is travelling to Germany with Joseph O’Brien. Together, they are on the lookout for horses at reasonable prices. “Ultimately, Joseph buys on a commercial basis for the vast majority of his owners, so in every scenario he puts a price on a yearling that he thinks represents fair value and if he makes more than that you walk away and move on to the next one. The price you pay has to be right.”
Apart from the pedigree, which Blake does not necessarily consider the most important factor, it is the conformation that has to be convincing. “At the end of the day, you’re buying an athlete. It simply comes down to how the horse looks and how it moves.”
Al Riffa in Berlin
In 2024, Al Riffa's team had its big day in Berlin-Hoppegarten. After finishing second to CITY OF TROY (Justify) in the G1 Coral Eclipse, the then four-year-old son of WOOTTON BASSETT (Almanzor) won the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin by a commanding five lengths. To this day, Kevin Blake fondly recalls that day: “It was one of the best days we’ve ever had. At the time, we were going through a bit of a dry spell without a Group 1 win. Al Riffa was always an important horse for us. It’s so difficult to get proper Group 1 horses. It was just a great adventure. Everyone there was so welcoming. We got to know lots of German owners and breeders, who, incidentally, had already recommended a visit to the BBAG back then.”
Money talks
“As an outsider, who has only been to one racecourse in Germany so far, I don’t want to tell anyone what they should be doing differently,” says Blake in response to the question of how Germany differs from the major racing nations in Europe and whether there is anything where Germany has a lot of catching up to do. Every country has it's own problems to contend with. Often, these are problems at a government level that make life difficult for racing: “One can only hope that governments around the world recognise that racing is a truly positive industry, that is worth supporting.”
He is, of course, well aware of the situation facing the sport in this country: “It’s no secret that racing in Germany faces major challenges. The number of foals is steadily declining, and prize money is in a poor situation. One can only hope, that the situation improves. Internationally it is a very, very competitive business. We have seen what has happened in Italy over the last 25 years. You are just worried about Germany. The country has such a wonderful history of horse racing.”
Roughly 13.85 million euros in prize money is set to be awarded this year across some 100 racedays in Germany. By way of comparison, over five million euros will be awarded at the two-day Irish Champion Festival in mid-September alone. Blake sees prize money as the biggest problem when it comes to attracting foreign entrants. “The prize money at Blacktype level in Germany isn’t high enough. We love competing internationally. But when you make a case to an owner to take the chance and make the risk of a long trip, when the prize money is so low it’s just a bit more challenging to get that over the line. There are exceptions, either when it’s a Group 1 or when we’re looking for blacktype for a filly. We would love to bring more horses to Germany.”
Currently, seven horses trained by Joseph O’Brien are still entered for races in Germany. These entries are split between the G1 156th Grosser Preis von Baden and the G1 Mehl-Mülhens Stiftung – 64th Preis von Europa. Only Seven Nation Army, mentioned at the outset, is entered for another race: the BBAG Auction-Race at Düsseldorf in mid-September. However, it is highly unlikely that he will run there. The situation is different for the others. First and foremost, BESET (Expert Eye) could make the trip to Germany. Blake is one of the co-owners of the five-year old listed winner. “We kept her well entered up. The thing with her is the ground. We’ve basically been waiting for rain since her last start. So, if it hasn’t rained in Ireland by the end of September, I think Germany would be very much an option for her.”
Beset, STARFORD (Beckford), SONS AND LOVERS (Wootton Bassett) and WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY (Australia) are entered for the Iffezheim Showpiece on September 6th. The latter last raced in Germany, finishing eighth in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis in July.
At this time of year, the O’Brien stable keeps all options open. Australia is always attractive for good stayers, even if Blake himself would prefer to race in Germany rather than in Australia: “We’d much rather go to Germany if the prize money were as high as it is down under,” he says with a laugh. “But unfortunately, money does talk. It’s our job to put them in a spot where they can earn the most prize money for the level they run to.”
How do you buy a Group 1 winner?
And even if O’Brien and Blake aren’t represented by any more horses in Germany this year, it’s quite possible that the next star will be bought this coming Friday in Iffezheim. Blake has one final piece of advice for those new to the auction scene: “Just work hard, see as many horses as you can. We’ll see pretty much every horse. You have to give yourself a shot at getting value. I think you have to put in the leg work and very much have an open mind.”
The sale will take place on September 4th from 10:00 am in Iffezheim. If you don’t want to miss a thing, follow GaloppDaily on Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok! You’ll find all the latest updates on the auction and exciting insights there.
We’ll also be publishing our preview of the sale on Monday, featuring all the details and an overview of the most exciting lots. And perhaps, together, we’ll find the next Group 1 winner!
Luis Kimmel
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