Countdown to the meeting: Top horses make their mark in Merano

Dorf Tirol will have its big moment at the Merano racecourse on Sunday, September 6th: Three races of the day will bear its name and pay tribute to the Dorf Tirol tourism association, the Hotel Erika near the racecourse and the Raiffeisenkasse Dorf Tirol.

September 04, 2026

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From a sporting perspective, this Sunday is above all one thing: the big dress rehearsal. With the international meeting on September 26th and 27th already on the horizon, all the protagonists will face one last tough test on this day – a packed program with familiar fighters and promising newcomers.

The season opens with the Preis Creme Anglaise, a Listed steeplechase over 3.800 meters and arguably the most telling test before the Grosser Preis von Meran. Here, the Aichner stable once again demonstrates its strength: Pistache Dore, a promising newcomer, enters the fray. This six-year-old, formerly of the renowned Papot stable, has already made a name for himself in Group 3 and Listed races in France. Alongside him will be Madrilene, Le Grand Jour, and the experienced Suroit. The Aichner quartet will face stiff competition from Burschi, the seven-year-old trained by Wiesalw Kartus, who celebrated an impressive comeback victory in Pardubice during Ferragosto. Le Mots Bleus and Make Sense are also worth a second look.

In the Merano Tourist Office Prize, a Listed race used to prepare for the Grand Hurdles, two familiar faces will meet again: defending champion Kaja, trained by Aichner, and rising star Jony Be Good, trained by Roberto Fumagalli, who already showed promising form in the spring. Over the short distance of 3.500 meters, both will also have to contend with a third Aichner horse: Sopran Mistery, a specialist in fast distances. The field is completed by Mes Ailes and Ivo.

In the Preis Ettore Tagliabue, a Listed race for three-year-olds, generational leader Irfan aims to secure his ticket to the Grosser Herbstkriterium. In the Preis Cral Meran, a hurdle race for four-year-olds, the in-form Arizona Dreaming and Crigae will try to challenge the returning champion Woods. The race day is rounded out by two flat races and a Haflinger race to kick things off – exactly one week after the Haflingers caused a sensation at the Palio.

Keywords Equestrian equestrian Merano