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200 YEARS OF GERMAN RACING

German racing turns 200 this year. On August 10, 1822, the first horse races with thoroughbreds took place in Germany at the Doberan racecourse, 26 years before the German Gymnastics Association was founded. This makes horseracing the oldest organized sport in Germany.

The aim of the races was to improve the breeding of the "English Thoroughbred". This has not changed to this day, because even 200 years later, the horseracing federation "Deutscher Galopp“ has set as its primary goal: Breeding selection and breeding improvement through performance tests.

Although the German thoroughbred breed is very small in international comparison with the major racing nations, Germany has produced outstanding horses time and again.

This short film offers a quick look at the 200-year history of horseracing in Germany, its outstanding international successes and the social importance of equestrian sport for the entire country.

  • Florian Figge
    Director
    Winner Equus Film Festival 2016 – Best Documentary International with ”Lomitas - His story“
  • Peter Jablonowski
    Producer
  • Marc Eyrich
    Co-Producer
  • Friedemann Leis
    DOP
    DOP of Award-winning Documentary "Dear future children" now on Netflix
  • Enno Wassmer
    Writer
  • Lorenz Pritz
    Editor
  • Pat Zwingmann
    Narrator
    German voice actor of Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Frakes
  • Daniel Krueger
    Client
    CEO GERMAN Racing Authority "Deutscher Galopp"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 27, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia, France, Germany, Japan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Florian Figge

Winner Equus Film Festival 2016 – Best Documentary International with ”Lomitas - His story“.

Munich-based Creative Director. Horse-lover. Racing-enthusiast. Born into a racing family: Father was jockey and trainer, brother was runner-up Fegentri world champion Gentlemen Riders. Great passion for digital and film projects in equestrian sports.

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Director Statement

We are celebrating 200 years of gallop racing in Germany this year. It is the oldest organized sport in Germany. However, there are many prejudices among the general public about our fascinating sport. It is no longer just the sport of kings - families and fans from every diversity enjoy the racing days.

Equally important is the economic significance of this sport. Our task was to produce a film that addresses these points in a charming, sympathetic and understated way.

We filmed at different locations: at racetracks, in training stables and at racing events to capture the broad picture of our fascination.