Among the five races referred to as “classics” in the flat season, the “Preis der Diana” German Oaks holds the longest tradition. Run for the first time back in 1857, it has continued as an annual event with remarkable consistency. Indeed, despite many a drawback and occasional difficult circumstances in the century and a half of its existence, it has been held almost every year. Only in 1945 and 1946 did it fail to make an appearance on the calendar.
 
1857 is the date that history records when the “Diana” was first run at the Berlin-Tempelhof course. And Berlin remained its venue until 1944, albeit with changes in the tracks used. In 1947, the race was held in Düsseldorf for the first time. Then, in the period from 1948 to 2003, its home was Mülheim/Ruhr. In 2004 and 2005 it moved again, this time to Hamburg-Horn, and in 2006 this top-category race was run for the first time at Düsseldorf-Grafenberg.
 
The race is named after the Roman goddess Diana (Greek: Artemis), the virginal goddess of nature in general, fertility and childbirth. Often portrayed as a huntress, her name is ideally suited as the descriptor for this supreme test of thoroughbred fillies. The importance of the race derives not only from its long tradition but also the international respect that it commands. Its winner invariably advances to four-legged stardom with a multi-million price tag. 
 
The “Preis der Diana” is the German equivalent of the French “Prix de Diane” and the English “Oaks”. It has the same standing in the German racing system and its result is keenly awaited around the world. This journey to fame is 2,200 meters long and takes the contenders around the Düsseldorf-Grafenberg course, which has been the home of this high-caliber sporting event since 2006.