Preis von Europa
The Preis von Europa is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Cologne over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September. History. The event was established in 1963, a year after the discontinuation of the Gladiatoren-Rennen at Krefeld. Its predecessor was contested over 2,800 metres, and the last running was won by a horse called Opponent. The same horse won the inaugural edition of the Preis von Europa, run over 2,400  metres at Cologne. The present system of race grading was introduced in Germany in 1972, and the Preis von Europa was classed at the highest level, Group 1. The race has been sponsored by several different companies since the 1980s, including Puma, Deutsche Post and IVG. With its running in 2022, the Preis von Europa has been run at the same venue throughout its history.