Splendid races on Sunday, October 22,
at San Siro, Milan

Splendid Sunday afternoon races at San Siro with two group 1 events, both won by horses trained in England.

The Gran Criterium, for 2 y.o., metres 1600, wide track, was won by Count Bubois (B. Marcus, 56 Kg), trained by W. Haggas for the Wentworth Racing, after a strong wrestling in the last furlong with the technical favourite, the Irish King’s County (M. Kinane, 56 kg), chosen by the trainer Aidan O’Brien to defend the colours, already famous, of the fourecast Mrs. Magnier / Mr. Tabor.

In the 3rd place was recorded Spettro, near to winner and the second, one of the race enlivener (L. Dettori, 56 kg), trained in England by P. Cole but owned by Italian Allev. White Star (White Star Stud). Just 4th, and also a little away from Spettro (2 lengths) was the leader from the start to the last two furlongs Sopran Glaumix (M. Demuro, 56 kg), trained by B. Grizzetti for the Sc. Belforte (Belforte Stable).

The winner is a son of the outstanding specimen Zafonic, a Mr. Prospector nephew, through Gone West, out Madame Dubois, the best heir of Legend of France, a horse very well considered by his trainer H. Cecil but suffering for a pain in the back. This pain is supposed to have had a great weight in defining the lacking breeding success of the son of Lyphard, out the excellent Lupe.

In any case Madame Dubois, winner of Park Hill Stakes and of Prix de Royallieu, both group 2 races for fillies and mares with stamina, guarantees to Count Dubois enough endurance to participate, with realistic chances, to the great events of 2001 on the classic distance of twelve furlongs.

-------------------------------

In the other group 1 event of the afternoon, fine victory of the technical favourite, but not of the bettors, Golden Snake, showed in very good conditions by trainer John Dunlop, wearing the National Stud jacket. In this stud he should have started hi career as a sire already in the year 2000 but then the short book forced his owners to put him back in training. Now, when at stud the year 2001, he will add to Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat, June 1999, at least two other Gr. 1 races, captured in 2000 at Cologne (Preis von Europa, metres 2400) and this Gran Premio del Jockey Club, metres 2400 on sloppy ground. And the list should even get longer with other European or Asiatic (Japan Cup) laurels.

Golden Snake captured the victory after a long and exciting duel with the 3 y.o. French filly Reve d’Oscar (L. Dettori, 55 Kg) who, in my opinion, never threatened to reach the winner (besides he has never been before the leader), well carried by the jockey (P. Eddery, 59 Kg), who, in the final, took him to the winning post half a length in front of the French guest, trained by Mrs. M. Badel Bollack, for the Japan K. Yoshida.

In 3rd place, but at a large 3 lengths and a half, was the German colour bearer Montalban (D. Vargiu, 59 Kg), trained by A. Lowe and owned by Stall Hanse, who surpassed the leader from the start Shibuni’s Falcon (M. Monteriso, 56,5 Kg). The latter however had still resources in the final furlong to save the honour of Italian breeding and stabling. Shibuni’s Falcon in fact is bred by the Az. Agr. S. Agostino e Vulci (S. Agostino and Vulci Stud) and is trained at San Siro by M. Guarnieri, a young and emergent Sienese, one of the Italian trainer of the last generation.

Golden Snake is a son of Danzig, the best successor in the United States of Northern Dancer, especially in the sprint and precocious section of sires, out of Dubian. The latter is bred by the Ribblesdale Stud, and from 2 to 4 years she won 4 races (Royal Whip Stakes, Gr.3, metres 2400, Premio Lydia Tesio, Gr.1, metres 2000) and was placed 5 times (3rd in the British and in the Irish Oaks, 4th in the Phoenix Park Champion Stakes, all group 1 races)

Golden Snake shows therefore an excellent pedigree, with a female section very inbred on the blood of chief de race Hyperion (to whom ascend both the father of Dubian, High Line and the father of grand mother of Golden Snake, Melodina, the excellent Tudor Melody). And this is a very good component for the best valuation of a debutante sire.

To complete the genealogic – attitudinal picture of Golden Snake, I relate the Varola valuation (attitudinal diagram: 27,5/18,5/49,5/55,5/24; Index of Consistency –I.C. of 5,36) that shows how the Danzig influence is not dominant in the mate. In fact the low number of intermediate chief de race (only 18,5) and the great number of brilliant chief de race (27,5) point out the remarkable importance and the primary role played by the female line (fem. 9c).

Roma, October 24, 2000

(Leonello Falco)

For further up to date information on Italian racing and bloodstock please contact Leonello Falco