Suman Hedge Bloodstock Purchase Promising German 2YO

Media Release - Thursday December 27

Suman Hedge Bloodstock is delighted to announce it has secured a majority interest in promising German 2yo colt Django Freeman in a deal co-brokered with HFTB Racing Agency.

Django Freeman The deal will see the son of Campanologist remain in Germany with trainer Henk Grewe and aimed at the Group 1 German Derby in July 2019 before being moved to Australia to be trained by Rob Hickmott.

Django Freeman has established himself as one of the best 2yo's in Germany winning his first two starts and most recently finishing a narrow 2nd at Group 3 level.

"We're excited to buy into Django Freeman and have the unique opportunity to race this talented colt in the German Derby before bringing him to Australia for his future racing," said Suman Hedge.

German counterpart Holger Faust is equally upbeat about the deal.

"This is a really interesting deal as Django Freeman is one of the highest rated 2yo's in Germany and is currently on the 2nd line of betting for the German Derby. This arrangement allows the original owners Christoph Holschbach and Wilheim Baumgarten to retain ownership in a horse they have tremendous faith in, whilst allowing them and the new partners to also race overseas," said Faust

Django Freeman commenced his career in Munich in July winning his maiden over 1400 metres defeating subsequent Group 3 winner and ruling German Derby co-favourite Quest the Moon.

At his next start in September Django Freeman displayed his immense raw talent bolting in by 3 ½ lengths in Dusseldorf over 1400 metres.

Advertisement

Django Freeman then rounded off his 2yo season with a narrow 2nd placing in the prestigious Group 3 Winterfavoriten over 1600 metres in Cologne.

It was this performance that cemented in Hedge's mind that Django Freeman was the real deal.

"We had been following Django Freeman pretty closely but it was his last run which we felt was quite compelling from a future racing perspective and really forced us to step up our game to get into him," said Hedge

"Our main brief is to try to find potential high class 2000 metre plus horses which Germany has a fine recent history of providing. With this horse being by Campanologist out of an Acatenango mare he is really bred stoutly but so far he has shown a good blend of natural speed and potential staying prowess."

This is the 2nd recent deal between Suman Hedge Bloodstock and HFTB Racing Agency, and as with the previous purchase, Schabau, this horse will eventually be trained by dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer Rob Hickmott at Caulfield.

"Django Freeman is a classy 2yo who is bred to only get better with age and distance. This deal is terrific for both partners as the Australian owners get the chance to race in a big Group 1 in Germany and the German owners then get the chance to race for big prizemoney here in Australia. It is a win/win deal and I'm excited that I will eventually get to train him after the Derby," said Hickmott.

Django Freeman is currently in work with Henk Grewe in Cologne and is slated to have 3 lead in runs before taking his place in the German Derby in July.

News from Suman Hedge Bloodstock

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka. 
Royal Ascot Day 4- Roughies Rule and an Aussie Owned Fairytale
The racing roller coaster took a big dive at Royal Ascot on Day 4 which was not a good day for favourite backers with roughies ruling in both G1 races and a first season sire produced the winner of the juvenile feature on the card.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.