There are 15 three-year old mares having entered for the Henkel Prize of Diana, boasting a prize money of 400,000 Euros, to take place on the flat course in Dusseldorf-Grafenberg on August 2. At the cancelling date for the most important horse race in Germany for mares there was a not unexpected late entry:

The countdown for the Henkel Prize of Diana to take place on the flat course in Dusseldorf-Grafenberg on August 2, is entering its decisive stage. The pre-decisive cancelling date for the 2,200m race for three-year-old mares is Monday, July 27. If an owner wants to start his horse a few days later, he must pay the next starting fee of 1,700 Euros. The final entry date is Thursday, July 30, and a further fee of 2,000 Euros to be paid.

Germany’s best three-year-old mares rehearsed for the Henkel Prize of Diana in the past few days. During the Derby Meeting on the flat at Hamburg-Horn, several horses started which should also race in Dusseldorf on August 2.

The best jockeys and most expensive fillies are once again scheduled to go head to head in Düsseldorf on August 2 in one of the most important horse races on the European calendar. More than ever, Henkel Race Day featuring the ‘Preis der Diana' German Oaks is an experience that really should not be missed.  Ideal for a family day out, the Grafenberg track will, on this day, be transformed into a festival park with many attractions plus a picnic meadow.  Admission costs from 2.50 euros per person and 20,000 visitors are expected to pass through the turnstiles.

Henkel Race Day took place at the Düsseldorf Grafenberg racing course on Sunday, August 3, 2008. This year saw more visitors than ever before, attracted by the 150th running of the “Preis der Diana” German Oaks. There were 22,000 spectators, all keen to enjoy every minute of the exciting racing event, augmented by the wide range of attractions provided at this most pictorial of sporting venues. The winner of the big race was Rosenreihe of the Wittekindshof yard owned by Dortmund entrepreneur Hans-Hugo Miebach – in a finish of unbelievable tension and excitement. For only in the final few meters of the 2,200 meters distance was top jockey Andrasch Starke able to secure victory after coming from an almost hopeless position just 200 meters out from the post.

The third Henkel Race Day featuring the coveted “Preis der Diana” will be held on August 3, 2008 in Düsseldorf-Grafenberg. The renowned thoroughbred trials belonging to Europe’s Group I horse race series will take place for the 150th time. Henkel looks forward to offering equestrian sports fans and their families a pleasant day out with many interesting attractions. Elegant horses, world-class athletes and diverse range of fringe events promise to transform the race into an entertaining and unique top-notch event.