Big family festival and exciting races: Hoppegarten rings in autumn!

Big family festival and exciting races: Hoppegarten rings in autumn!

On September 17, 2025, a very special event took place at the racecourse in Hoppegarten: the first racing day in this year's annual calendar, which welcomed visitors with a large family celebration. The weather forecast promised bright sunshine with temperatures of a pleasant 27 degrees, which only increased expectations of a lively event. From 1:30 p.m. onwards, visitors, including many families from Berlin and Brandenburg, were able to enjoy the atmosphere - admission for children up to 12 years old was even free.

The event was all about the economy, with the official visit of Brandenburg's Finance Minister Robert Crumbach and the Economics Minister Daniel Keller, who has been a repeated guest in Hoppegarten. Racecourse owner Gerhard Schöningh emphasized the importance of exchange between business, politics and associations. Over 250 guests from partner companies, including the Brandenburg Economic Forum and DIE FAMILIENUNTERNEHMER, ensured a lively hustle and bustle and great interest.

Family celebration and sporting highlights

The family festival had a few highlights to offer: the little ones were able to put their streak of luck to the test in the children's fun bet, and the children's smiling faces were clear evidence of the fun they had during the pony ride. The traditional picnic on the lawn or the bouncy castle also created a great atmosphere. The Köpenick Big Band provided the musical accompaniment and contributed to the festive atmosphere. The new “Children’s Grand Prix”, which took place at 4:15 p.m. after the fourth race, was particularly popular.

A total of six exciting races were held. The sporting competitions also attracted starters from Poland and the Czech Republic. With 41 starters, including over 50% from the region, the betting chances were high. The favorites were the horses INCI, VA BENE and NIGHT EMPRESS, while the mare DIADORA from Cologne was an exception to the local participants. A special focus was on the 4th race, the aveato prize, with a prize money of 11,500 euros, which captivated racing enthusiasts.

Special features of the event

Race day was not only a sporting challenge, but also an opportunity for spectators to experience the passion for horse racing. The event featured a variety of betting options, including a prize in the four-way bet in the Pro Brandenburg race, which offered a sum of 10,000 euros. The most prominent jockey, Thore Hammer-Hansen, who leads the rankings with 63 victories, was also in action that day.

The ticket prices were suitable for all budgets. Adults could join for as little as 18 euros, while reserved seats in the main stand ranged from 27 to 41 euros. Visitors could also benefit from savings of up to 20% on online pre-sales if they booked by Friday. There was a lot of joy in an event that offered a great experience for both the whole family and real racing fans.

Overall, it could be said that the business race day in Hoppegarten not only entertained the visitors, but also sustainably promoted exchange and cooperation between different sectors. A big thank you to everyone who made this day a success! Further information is available on the website of the Deutscher Galopp, as well as at to find.