GRAN PREMIO D’ITALIA, LISTED,
3 y.o., metres 2.000, Milano,
San Siro,
July 2 2000, good
- SHIBUNI’S FALCON, m.b. by Polar Falcon
out Shibuni, by Damister, owner Scuderia Athena, breeder: Az. Agr. S. Agostino
and Vulci, trainer: M. Guarnieri, jockey: M. Monteriso,
- AROUND ALONE, m.b. by Rudimentary out Mistress
Thames, by Sharpo, O.: Zaro, B.: Wretham Stud, B. : R. Feligioni, J. : M.
Tellini,
- FLUXUS, m.b. by Night Shift out Fracassina by
Rusticaro, O. : Scuderia Jemcha, B. : Agricola Patrizia, T. : B. Grizzetti, J.
: S. Soto,
- SOPRAN MONTANELLI, m.b. by Tenby out
Macchiabelle by Dominion, O. : Senatore R. Misserville. B. : Az. Agr. S.
Uberto, T. : L. Camici, J. : V. Mezzatesta,
- Priestlaw. Also ran: Lam Dash, As You Like,
Dedy Boy, Costatino Re.
Analysis:
The Gran Premio d’Italia was once a very
important race because, when the Italian Derby was restricted only to horses
born and bred in Italy, it stood for the double check in Milan for the winner
of the roman classic, in presence, this time, of imported horses, on the same
distance of 12 furlongs.
Then the opening of the Italian Derby free for
all horses, modified the state of the affairs and by consequence the Gran
Premio d’Italia has, step by step, lost every technical substance and so,
after various vicissitudes, has landed at a limbus of doubtful sense, being now
only a consolation race on the 10 furlongs for those horses who have been
beaten in the classic cycle, on 8 or 12 furlongs.
In accordance with these preliminary
statements, Shibuni’s Falcon, 5th in the Italian Derby (won by the German
Kallisto), was the favourite and won, but after a difficult struggle; he was
certainly the holder of the best issues in the field, which included the
German–Swiss Lam Dash and the English, well known in Italy, Priestlaw, who
ran worse than every expectations (5th from counter – favourite at the
tote).
Shibuni’s Falcon won after struggle
drawing back the external attack of Around Alone (1st in the Premio Merano,
Handicap listed of may, 11) and the inside one of Fluxus, advancing very fast
along the rail.
From a genealogical point of view it must be
noted that the first four at the finish are all sons of sires coming down in
direct male line from the chief de race Northern Dancer. The winner is a son of
Polar Falcon (stud fee for the year 2000: 8000 pounds), athlete stout and of
good qualities from 6 to 8 furlongs but genealogically a little better, being a
son of the important Nureyev and coming down from a female line developed for a
long time in France by Rothschild family (in a particular manner by baron Guy),
from whom in the past decades were born Shantung and Sassafras and in most
recent years, Last Tycoon and Celtic Swing.
With this fatherly and with the third father
Thatch, a pure sprinter, it is plain that Shibuni’s Falcon can find some
troubles on classic distances of 12 furlongs, while the endurance far as
classic distance is assured from the stamina brought by his grandfather,
Damister.
With regard to Thatch, it should be noted that
this stallion and the mother of Nureyev, Special, are brother–german, and
so they put in a inbred 3x3, near but a little remarkable, like that 5x5 on
Native Dancer.
The female line of Shibuni’s Falcon (fem.
7) was introduced in Italy exactly 20 years ago when the Scuderia S. Carlo
imported from France S.te Nitouche, bred by countess S. Sanjust de Teluada.
This daughter of Riverman, is a placed in listed race for females at mile.
Later, at stud, she bred two daughters, both of them listed–winners: Saint
Samba, by Thatch, born in 1983, and saint Georgette, born in 1987, by
Glenstal.
Saint Samba, winner of the Premio Bagutta and
Royal Mares, in Turin, both Gr.3, is not in evidence as a mare, while
Shibuni’s Falcon is the second foal of Shibuni, born in 1991, unraced;
born after the not good Shibubat, by Batshoof, placed at 2 and 3 years. He was
purchased at ANAC yearling sales in Milan, October 20, 1998, for 10 million
Italian lires.
Roma, July 3, 2000
(Leonello Falco)
For more information regarding the Italian
Derby and up to date Italian racing and bloodstock information please contact
Leonello
Falco
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