From Kentucky to Cologne - Resolute Racing in Germany
- Luis Kimmel
- 17. Mai
- 6 Min. Lesezeit
In the run-up to the Tattersalls December Sale 2024, the following was written about VERTICAL BLUE (Mehmas): ‘France's most highly rated two-year-old and the only Group 1 winner of her year to be offered at auction worldwide.’ At a sensational 3.2 million guineas (approx. 4 million euros), the hammer subsequently fell for the Mehmas daughter bred by Haras Du Mont Dit Mont. The buyer was the American billionaire John Stewart. Now the million-euro mare was surprisingly supplemented for Germany's first classic, the G2 Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas. More than enough reason to talk to the man behind Resolute Racing.
Luis Kimmel: ‘What was the main reason for supplementing Vertical Blue for the German 2000 Guineas at short notice?’
John Stewart: ‘We just had to run her somewhere and Cologne seemed like a good place for her first start of the year. Francis (Graffard) knows the mare and knows which races are suitable for her - that's why I'm deliberately leaving this decision to him.’
Nine horses will start in tomorrow's German 2000 Guineas. This is usually a race in which only colts are entered. Not so this year. Three fillies will enter the starting gates tomorrow at Cologne. In addition to Vertical Blue, they are MATILDA (Soldier Hollow) and LIPS VEGA (Lope De Vega). All three mares have been supplemented.
LK: ‘What do you expect from Vertical Blue in her season debut on Sunday and what do you appreciate about her?’
John Stewart: ‘I think she has a real chance. We wouldn't run her if we didn't believe in her. At the same time, it's her first start as a three-year-old - it's all about getting her in form and getting her season off to a good start. She showed a lot as a two-year-old and I think she is very talented. I'm always on the lookout for the best bloodlines worldwide, and successful race mares are my focus - in this respect she checks all the boxes. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets a few starts in the USA later this year.’
As a two-year-old, Vertical Blue ran five times and was never worse than second. The filly from Francis-Henri Graffard's yard had her career highlight to date at the Arc weekend at the beginning of October. Back then, she defeated her stable mate and boiling hot favourite ZARIGANA (Siyouni) by a nose on Group 1 level. Like on Sunday, Alexis Pouchin was in the saddle of the Mehmas daughter.
John Stewart hit the German headlines in August 2024 when he purchased the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner GOLIATH (Adlerflug). Philip von Ullmann sold a majority stake to Resolute Racing following the great success of Goliath, who was bred by Gestüt Schlenderhan. In Germany, Goliath was almost seen in the G1 Mehl-Mülhens-Stiftung - 62nd Preis von Europa. Unfortunately, this did not happen due to an injury. Goliath had to skip the race at short notice. Vertical Blue will now be the first starter in Germany for John Stewart's Resolute Racing.
LK: ‘What goals are you pursuing with your involvement in European horse racing - and can we expect more horses from Resolute Racing in Germany in the future?’
John Stewart: ‘Our focus is currently clearly on the USA, where we have 50 active racehorses in training. In addition, 51 two-year-olds are currently moving into training. Australia is the next market for us with around 30 horses. In Europe, we are still at the very beginning, but I want to win races here and be represented on the big race days. So it is certain that you will see more of us in Germany and the rest of Europe in the future.’
LK: ‘What prompted you to acquire a majority stake in Goliath after his impressive victory at Ascot?’
John Stewart: ‘He beat the best horses in Europe - and as a gelding, it was a special opportunity. I jumped at the chance to see one of the best gallopers in the world to run in my own colours.’
Goliath had a rather mixed start to the 2025 season. At the end of April, he competed in the G1 FWD QEII Cup on Champions Day in Hong Kong. However, he only finished ninth there. A result that will certainly not be taken lightly.
LK: ‘What is the current plan for Goliath? There are rumours that he could start in the G2 Grosser Preis von Tattersalls at Baden-Baden on 1 June?’
John Stewart: ‘That's interesting because we haven't made a decision yet. The trips to Japan and Hong Kong didn't go as we had hoped, so we wanted to give him the time he needed to get back into shape. His next start will be part of a more targeted campaign - focussing on Europe and possibly the USA.’
LK: ‘Goliath is currently the favourite for the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden, Germany's biggest race in September. Is this race currently on his agenda? And how does Goliath fit into Resolute Racing's international strategy in general?’
John Stewart: ‘It is quite possible that we will see Goliath in Germany. We would like to run him in Europe, but we need a clear target - especially as he is not allowed to start in the Arc due to the outdated regulations. Goliath is a central part of our international focus. I want Resolute Racing to be represented on the big race days worldwide - and with him we have a horse that makes exactly that possible.’
The G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, probably the biggest race in the world, is only open to colts, fillies and mares. Geldings like Goliath are not allowed to compete. This caused John Stewart great displeasure at the beginning of the year, which the American also gave free rein to on Twitter. ‘The best races must be open to all horses. I respect the tradition in France, but the sport needs to evolve to remain internationally attractive. France should be the base of Resolute Racing in Europe, we may have to rethink that now,’ Stewart wrote in February. John Stewart has 70,000 followers on Twitter.
LK: ‘You have built up a large fan base on social media and have also organised fan events with exclusive merchandise. What motivates you to engage so actively with the racing community?’
John Stewart: ‘I'm a punter at heart and a fan myself. I enjoy sharing my passion with others and helping them to enjoy the sport even more. We all love horse racing - that's what connects us.’
LK: ‘In the past, there have been fan events with giveaways such as trading cards and caps. In Tokyo, the crowd was so big that the police had to relocate the event. Can German racing fans look forward to similar events - perhaps when Goliath competes at Baden-Baden?’
John Stewart: ‘Absolutely. I own companies with locations in Germany and am travelling in Europe with my private equity business over the next three weeks. I love meeting racing fans all over the world - and Germany is definitely one of them.’
With around 230 horses currently in his possession, John Stewart is playing an ever-increasing role in racing. Of course, his big breakthrough is yet to come and he has yet to make a name for himself in Europe in particular. With Vertical Blue he could now set the first exclamation mark in Germany tomorrow.
Stewart manages to get new people excited about himself, his horses and, above all, racing. He shows that proximity to the fans and racing enthusiasts is the be-all and end-all. An approach that is unfortunately still seen far too little in Germany today. But maybe we'll be lucky and see Goliath at Iffezheim on 7 September. Philip von Ullmann will certainly put in a good word for German racing. Two days beforehand, Resolute Racing would even have the opportunity to buy new horses. You will hardly find better stayer blood than at the BBAG Yearling Sale anywhere in the world.
The G2 Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas will be run tomorrow at Cologne. The start is at 16:33 German time.
This was my exclusive interview with John Stewart - the owner of Vertical Blue and Goliath, who is now setting his sights on the European Turf with Resolute Racing.
What chances do you think Vertical Blue has in the German 2000 Guineas? And do you really see Goliath as a hot candidate for the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September?
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