130. German Trotter Derby

From 22 to 24 August, the Mariendorf trotting track on Kruckenbergstraße in Tempelhof will be entering the hot final phase.

For three days, the track will become the centre of European equestrian sport.

And much more than that – because when the world's best sulky drivers and their horses storm around the track at breakneck speed and compete for hundreds of thousands of euros in prize money, the action is just as intense a few metres away in the exclusive VIP grandstand.

From Berlin's mayor Kai Wegner to stars from the world of culture and film, everyone who is anyone in the capital will be there. Guests of honour include Dieter Hallervorden, Nathalie Hallervorden, Anja Kling, Natalia Wörner, Désirée Nosbusch, August von Wittgenstein, Frederick Lau, René Koch, Marc Rudolf and Wolke Hegenbarth. And of course, the eccentric Kida Ramadan will also be there.

The racecourse, which was opened on 9 April 1913 by Prince Oskar of Prussia, son of the German Emperor, has always been an integral part of social life. Where else would you go? Mariendorf, of course! Even former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt was immediately fascinated by the exciting battle to the finish line. In his usual blunt manner, he summed it up at an award ceremony, saying, ‘If only I had more time, I'd love to pat a horse's behind more often!’


So let yourself be enchanted! After all, what could be better than placing a bet on the winner or the place in a classy atmosphere with great food and drinks? The exact dates are:

• Friday, 22 August (first start at 4 p.m.) with the honorary race for Dieter Hallervorden's 90th birthday at around 5 p.m.
  
• Saturday, 23 August (first start at 12:00 noon)
  
• Sunday, 24 August (first start at 12:00 noon)