Neighing and betting.
Sabucco, Aramina, Donatessa, Farouche, Ticinella. Not figures from Arabian Nights or magical beings from Grimm's’ fairy tales. No, not at all, for all those unusual names belong to high-class racehorses, which have recently participated in races here.
The rules of the race are quickly explained. Sixteen horses at the most have to get from the start box to the finish line as fast as possible, without interfering improperly with their comrades. Up to ten times per race day is the norm.
Horse races have always been crucially important for comparing the efficiency of valuable breeding horses. Nowadays, the bets are an especially huge attraction, with 75 percent of the bet income passed to punters and the remaining sum distributed among winners of the races and various associations. This is strictly controlled and to compare, the German Lotto distributes barely 50 percent to winners.
Of course, no one is obligated to bet his or her shirt on a horse. Even a small bet of one euro is totally sufficient in order to cream off some profits. With a wide range of bets to choose from "The most popular bets are the Zweier- or Dreierwette, with a prediction of the correct chronological order of the first two or three placed horses," explains Sascha van Treel, marketing manager of the association "The return is highest, but obviously the risk increases as well." However, relatively safe and perfect for beginners in equestrian sports is the Platzwette because the horse merely has to be among the first three. The profits don’t appeal though, with rates amounting to only a fifth of a successful , if more demanding Siegwette.
Not only the financial aspect is so tempting when attending horse races but also the emotional one; the spectator’s immediate integration into the race. Every year, 100,000 visitors are treated to an average of ten great tournaments that gain national and international attention on this tough course with fifteen metres variation in altitude. Fringe events as well as the presence of plenty of celebrities in the spectators' ranks are ensured. A big hit is the Henkel-Renntag with the Preis der Diana. A race of the highest category, the Europa-Gruppe I, it is considered to be the most important in Europe alongside Baden-Baden and Paris. Three-year-old mares have to accomplish a gruelling distance of 2,200 metres.
Dropping by the picturesque racecourse is always a delight, with the noble thoroughbreds training from the early morning hours. And there is also the golf course with 9 holes located in the inner space of the race course. But that's another story.