The 117th edition of White Turf St. Moritz commenced this weekend. Over 45 horses from four countries competed in the three disciplines of galloping, trotting and skikjöring on the frozen Lake St. Moritz during the first races on Sunday. In addition to the exciting races, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities for both the young and the old during the Saturday Family Days.
The official horse races commenced on a beautiful sunny Sunday, enhancing the delightful ambiance of White Turf St. Moritz. The frozen Lake St. Moritz was adorned with tents, horses, cheering crowds and numerous activities for both children and adults alike.
On the first Sunday of races, six official horse races took place, with one sponsored by each of the main sponsors: UBS, Genesis and the new sponsor, DC Aviation Group. All races were endowed with at least CHF 10,000. The main event, the GP Casino St. Moritz, and Friends of the Racing Association even had a prize of CHF 20,000.
Six Competitors for the Most Important Race on the Final Sunday
Six contenders of the GP Casino St. Moritz, along with friends of the racing club, have also registered for the 84th Grand Prix of the Evangelos Pristiolis Foundation of St. Moritz on the concluding Sunday. The field boasts high-caliber competitors, featuring four horses from Swiss training quarters, and one of each from England and Germany.
Queroyal, owned by the Kräuliger couple, has only competed in one race in Switzerland so far, finishing second behind the formidable Power and Grace in the Grand Prix Jockey Club at the end of September. Ispahan, from the Engadin stable ForzAgricula, participated in St. Moritz last year, securing two placements and finishing eighth in the final Grand Prix. Singledon, who made a promising debut on snow a year ago, concluded last year’s season with a victory in Maienfeld.
Swiss debutant Zandjan, who competed over distances up to 1,500 meters last year, entered the race over 1,800 meters yesterday. Dolomit, arriving from Germany, previously appeared at the Grand Prix Jockey Club in Switzerland last year but could not overcome the local elite. Noteworthy is the English guest, Postmark, with stayer qualities
Skijöring under the Patronage of UBS
For the first time, the skikjöring discipline is under the patronage of UBS. St. Moritz boasts the participation of top-class horses in its sporting exclusivity. Chief among them is Ulster, who won in three of Switzerland’s most important flat races in 2021. Despite missing most of the 2023 season, Ulster is now under the care of champion trainer Claudia Erni in Avenches. He is ridden by Valeria Schiergen, one of the most successful skijöring riders in recent years. In the prominent trotting race, last year’s dominators, Fourteenth of July (Jean-Bernard Matthey) and Kiss Forever H.C. (Stephanie Theiler), will compete.
Further Expansion of the White Turf Family Days
Once again this year, the White Turf Family Days for young racing talent will take place on the Saturdays before the races – February 3, 10 and 17. The program includes pony, trotting and flat races, as well as mounted UBS Kids Skikjöring and duathlon competitions. Due to its great popularity with young and old, the program has also been expanded to include numerous hands-on activities involving various local sports clubs and associations. New additions include the White Turf Kids Games organized by the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz, pony rides with the River Ranch and the «UBS slide». Visitors can also look forward to the ice princess show on the ice rink, organized by SIC St. Moritz. The starting signal for the first race is at 11:00 am, with the area and refreshment points open at 10.30 am. Admission is free for all.
Discover more at: whiteturf.ch
Further impressions of the first White Turf weekend:
