Nina Baltromei creates history on Hochkonig in German Derby

There were jubilant scenes in Hamburg as Nina Baltromei aboard Hochkonig thwarted Karl Burke’s Convergent in a photo finish, becoming the first woman to win the German Derby in the process.

Convergent, having his first run since finishing third to dual Derby winner Lambourn and Lazy Griff at Chester, went for home early under Clifford Lee and looked well placed to go on to claim glory in the 156th running of the race.

But Baltromei, who was champion German amateur in 2024, had other ideas and came out of the pack, timing her run to perfection to get up to win by a nose.

Connections then had an anxious wait before the Yasmin Almenrader-trained colt was declared the winner following a photo finish.

Burke was attempting to add the German Derby to the 1000 Guineas he won last year for the same owners, Newtown Anner Stud Farm, with Darnation.

Baltromei told www.galopponline.de: “I hadn’t even realised I’d won. It was just incredible how everyone supported me here.”

Almenrader said: “I’m at a loss for words. I’m overwhelmed by everything. By the horse and by the rider. She handled it so incredibly intelligently again. It takes something to win a race like that.”