by Myra Lewyn

Stall Blankenese’s Kamsin made all the pace on soft ground in the $839,897 BMW Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1) on Sunday and had plenty of power in reserve for a comfortable victory in the classic at Hamburg.

Trained by Peter Schiergen, Kamsin cruised across the finish line three lengths in front of stablemate Ostland, who bested British-based Top Lock by a half-length for second in the 16-runner field.

Kamsin covered 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) in 2:39.29, providing Schiergen with his third victory in the race. A five-time champion jockey and three-time leading trainer in Germany, Schiergen won the German Derby in 2001 with Boreal and with Schiaparelli in 2006. 

In a departure from original plans, Kamsin was sent to the front early by jockey Andrasch Starke and responded with an energetic burst as the rider urged him into the straight to easily hold back Ostland and King Edward VII Stakes (Eng-G2) third-place finisher Top Lock. 

“We actually had different tactics in mind as we wanted to turn it into a speed race, but he did it from the front really well," Schiergen told England’s Press Association about Kamsin, whose previous start in a Group 3 race in Munich was compromised by stomach distress.

"I always thought he was very good and you have to forgive him for his last performance when he had a stomach ache,” Schiergen said. “Today, he was in great form and the rain didn't disturb him; in fact, he likes soft ground.”

The Mercedes-Benz Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-G1) on September 7 could be a future goal.

“But first we want to get him home," Schiergen said.

Bred in Germany by Gestut Karlshof, Kamsin is out of the Winged Love mare Kapitol. He has earned three wins in five career starts.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times Today editor