Focus on the Derby dream: Excellent performances to kick off the 2026 season

Ever since SALITOS secured a fine victory for Liberty Racing 2024 Gold back in late February, marking a successful start to the year, there haven’t been any more wins in the beautiful blue silks with golden dots—but there have been some outstanding performances leading to excellent placings. 

Also racing for Liberty Racing 2024 Gold, the Study of Man son CHIEFLAND is heading toward the German Derby. The large-framed colt won impressively in his only outing at 2yo and made his season debut on April 12 in Düsseldorf, where the Henk Grewe-trained fought gamely under Thore Hammer-Hansen and only narrowly missed winning glory by a head (photo).

AQUAMAN also had an outing on that day. The Cracksman stallion is one of three four-year-olds whose syndicate members unanimously decided to keep him in active competition for another year. After a one-year layoff due to injury, the previously Group-placed AQUAMAN finished a very strong third over 2,200 metres on a heavy track with Thore Hammer-Hansen in the saddle.

On April 17, SALITOS then had another chance to compete in France. In the Prix Tourbillon (Class I), the In Swoop colt trained by Peter Schiergen raced over the Derby distance under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, where, despite a less-than-ideal race, he finished a strong second thanks to his enormous fighting spirit.

At today’s season opener at Munich-Riem, the first Sarah Steinberg-trained Liberty starter of the year took to the track. Ridden by René Piechulek, the Teofilo colt ABACUS finished in an excellent fourth place in a 2,200-metre maiden race brimming with Derby hopefuls. It was the second career start for the chestnut, who races for Liberty Racing 2024 Platin.