Historic German stud Schlenderhan could be sold by Deutsche Bank

One of Germany's most prestigious studs, Gestut Schlenderhan, could be sold according to a report in the country's Manager magazine.

The stud, founded near Cologne in 1869 and owned by the Oppenheim family since then, has dominated the German racing and breeding scene with its famous black, blue and red colours carried to victory in the Deutsches Derby 18 times.

It has also made a significant impact on worldwide breeding.

Schlenderhan bred and owned Schwarzgold, the German Derby and Oaks winner of 1940 who features as ancestress of champions Sagace, Slip Anchor, Steinlen and Zagreb.

It also bred Allegretta, the dam of breed-shaping broodmare Urban Sea, as well as Allegretta's sire, dual German horse of the year Lombard.

Monsun, regarded as the best stallion to have ever stood in Germany, resided at Schlenderhan and conceived 22 Group 1 winners there including the outstanding Manduro and Shirocco, the Queen's Gold Cup heroine Estimate and no fewer than three Melbourne Cup scorers – Almandin, Fiorente and Protectionist.

The once unthinkable prospect of Schlenderhan changing ownership from the Oppenheim family has arisen since Deutsche Bank took control of the stud at the end of 2016 as part of a settlement with owner Baron Georg von Ullmann, who was co-owner and chairman of private bank Sal Oppenheim until 2010 when it was taken over by DB as it met with financial troubles.

Manager reports that Von Ullmann – whose own yellow and blue silks have been borne by Monsun, Manduro and Shirocco along with the likes of Getaway, Owington, Tiger Hill and Toylsome – is one of several partners in the now defunct Sal Oppenheim who were in debt to DB and have had to cede assets to the banking giant.

However the magazine also suggests that it might not be the end of the Oppenheim family's tenure at Schlenderhan as Von Ullmann may have matching rights, meaning he could buy back the stud at the same price offered by a third party.

It also hypothesises that DB may find an investor who could maintain Von Ullmann, with his expertise in breeding, at the helm of the stud – or that agricultural land on the property could be sold separately, with domestic energy companies having registered an interest.

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