The four-year-old filly TECHNO QUEEN (IRE) continued an excellent season when winning the Listed Esso-Cup at Hamburg, enjoying her fourth win in-a-row and her second consecutive Stakes win. A slow start from stalls could not hinder her as she flew home past her rivals to record a 1 ¼ length victory in the mile and three furlong contest. Bred by the Kavanagh family’s Kildaragh Stud and John Egan, she is out of Tryphaena, who won eight times on the flat and over hurdles for Willie Mullins. She is a half-sister to the German Group 1 winner Turfkonig, German 1,000 Guineas heroine Tryphosa, Group 3 victor Tiberius Caesar and the French Listed winner Tocopilla.

The card’s feature event, the German Derby, saw an ultra-impressive winner in the form of NEELE (IRE) for breeder Juergen Imm’s Stall Nizza operation. Tracking the leaders throughout under Andrasch Starke, he stole the lead a furlong and a half out and strode on strongly to record a five length victory with ease. Breeder Imm has enjoyed much success sending his mares to Irish stallions, with the German Derby winner being a half-brother to Group 1 winner Nymphae (IRE), a daughter of Coolmore Stud’s Dylan Thomas (IRE). He also bred Group 2 winner Nightflower (IRE) by the same stallion, three-time Group 3 winner Amarillo (IRE) by Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) and Group 3 winner Aslana (IRE) by Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE). Other stallions he has supported recently include the Irish National Stud’s Invincible Spirit (IRE) and Ballylinch Stud’s Lawman.