Baden Racing takes over Iffezheim racecourse and signs 20-year lease
New operating company introduces plans on 22 April
Baden Racing GmbH is a newly-founded joint venture composed of the international sports marketing agency Infront Sports & Media AG (Zug, Switzerland), which has a majority holding alongside, DSV Deutscher Sportverlag GmbH (Cologne, Germany), Stars and Friends GmbH (a player consulting agency, Bad Harzburg, Germany) and Weiss media GmbH (Meerbusch, Germany).
For the remainder of the 2010, race days will be hosted during the Great Festival Week and during the Sales & Racing Festival in October. The official initiation of the new venture is scheduled for 2011 and will be introduced gradually. Baden Racing GmbH has already begun its business operations under the direction of Andreas Tiedtke and Reinhardt Weinberger, the Managing Director at Infront Germany.
Press Conference on 22 April
Baden Racing’s future plans for the organisation, racing operations and marketing of the racecourse will be disclosed at a press conference, held at the venue on 22 April 2010 at 12:00. Information about registration for press representatives can be found at the end of this press release.
Dr. Andreas Jacobs, Chairman of the Board of Directors and majority owner of Infront Sports & Media AG said: “After very long discussions we finally have reached an important break-through for Baden-Baden. Infront as a leading global sports marketing agency was able to put through its concept and is now happy to apply a fresh approach to the project on a world class level. We have connected the best expertise in horse racing, marketing and betting — to build up the best horse racing event in continental Europe besides the Arc de Triomphe.
His Royal Highness Bernhard, Hereditary Prince of Baden and President of International Club e.V. commented, “I am very happy that the excitement and tradition of horse racing will continue through Baden Racing. I am confident that our choice of Dr. Jacobs and his partners has created the best conditions for the continued development of the racing. The International Club is proud, that Dr. Andreas Jacobs has been a member for several years. In its role as support association the Club will do everything possible to support Baden Racing throughout this new venture and beyond.”
Peter Werler, Mayor of Iffezheim adds, “It is a very important day for the residents of our town, the region and the sport of horse racing. We have always been aware of this responsibility. It was not easy to do justice to all parties involved, but the compromise that has now been reached is the best option. Dr. Jacobs and Infront are convincing, we now have the best partners with which to develop the racing at Iffezheim to become a prominent feature in terms of the sport and its culture. It is with hope that I look forward to the new collaboration with Baden Racing.”
Wolfgang Gerstner, Mayor of Baden-Baden and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sparkasse Gaggenau Baden-Baden (savings bank), comments: “I am delighted with the solution. It secures the operation of the races for the future. Due to the economic significance of the racing for Baden-Baden, I wish BadenRacing all the best and I will commit to providing every possible support to the new operators.”
Invitation to Media Representatives
Infront Sports & Media and the partners of Baden Racing GmbH cordially invite you to the
First Press Conference by Baden Racing
on 22 April 2010, from 12:00 to 13:00
at the Iffezheim racetrack, Rennbahnstrasse 16, 76473 Iffezheim.
Podium: Dr. A. Jacobs, P. Werler, W. Gerstner, A. Tiedtke, R. Weinberger
If you plan to attend, we would ask that you send an informal email to presse baden-racing.com by Tuesday, 20 April 2010, including the names of all editorial representatives and the media they represent.
A light lunch will be served following the event, and you are cordially invited to partake. We look forward to seeing you there.
For further information, please contact:
Peter Mühlfeit
Press Officer
Baden Racing GmbH
Tel. +49-176-17229315
presse baden-racing.com
www.baden-racing.com (available from 22 April)
Jörg Polzer
Associate Director, Communication & PR
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
press infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com
