Klug celebration as Windstoss storms to Classic triumph

IDEE 148th Deutsches Derby | Group 1 | 1m4f | 3yo colts & fillies

Markus Klug saddled no fewer than seven of the 18 runners and came out the winner when Windstoss, ridden by Maxim Pecheur, got the better of the Peter Schiergen-trained Enjoy Vijay to score by a length.

Klug sank to his knees in celebration after landing his second Derby win in four editions, having been responsible for Sea The Moon in 2014.

Pecheur was in the rear third of the field turning away from the stands for the first time as Qatar Racing's Promise Of Peace – supposedly making the running for stablemate Warring States – towed them along.

Andrasch Starke looked poised to claim an eighth win in the race aboard Enjoy Vijay up the inside rail but Windstoss made relentless ground in the middle of the track to run down his rival in the final strides.

Although Klug sent out an armada of runners, the son of Shirocco was the only one to carry the colours of his chief patron, Gestut Rottgen.

"It's a very emotional moment for me," Klug told GaloppOnline.de. "A Derby winner is always a great thing but to get this one for Rottgen is something very special. Six and a half years ago I got the chance of a lifetime to train there. To give Rottgen a first Derby winner since 1959 is very emotional, I just can't describe it."

German Derby result