G2 Derby Italiano

Forty-five years on from the success of the Ian Balding-trained Glint Of Gold in the Paul Mellon silks forever synonymous with Mill Reef, Andrew Balding emulated his late father at Milan's San Siro Racetrack on Tuesday as the blue-blooded Venetian Prince (St Mark's Basilica) emerged victorious in a pulsating finish to the G2 143rd Derby Italiano. German challenger Salitos (In Swoop) and last month's G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) hero Grand Son Of Dark (Dark Angel), bidding to keep the prize on home soil, looked to have the race...

Tuesday, San Siro (Milan), Italy, post time: 17:50, 143RD DERBY ITALIANO-G2, €640,200, 3yo, c/f, 11fT Field: Archers Bay (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Arkansas (Fr) (Sottsass {Fr}), Bright Light (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Bruxelles (Ity) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), Camponanes (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Dastan (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Dear Enemy (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}), Dr Omran (Ire) (Palace Pier {GB}), Ex Animo (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Grand Son Of Dark (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Hello Jo (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Pashang (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}), Quantas (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Salitos (Ire)...

Sunday, Chantilly, France, post time: 16:30, QATAR PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB-G1, €1,500,000, 3yo, c/f, 10 1/2fT Field: Daryzan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Dolmalan (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}), Hankelow (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Alam (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Gusto (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), Hawk Mountain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Gostam (Ger) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Segall (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}), Oxagon (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), Komorebi (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Campacite (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Pearled Majesty (GB) (Persian King {GB}), Canadian (Tur) (Bodyguard Hero), Montreal (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), A Boy Named Susie (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Constitution...

Marco Botti and Marco Ghiani enjoyed a glorious homecoming at Capannelle on Monday when teaming up to win the 142nd running of the G2 Derby Italiano with Molveno (Almanzor). Both trainer and jockey were winning the most prestigious race that their home country has to offer for the first time. Former Joseph O'Brien trainee Heldtoransom (Churchill) raced at the head of affairs through the first part of the 2,200-metre contest, with April's G3 Italian 1,000 Guineas winner Klaynn (Make Believe) for company as Ghiani settled his mount towards the rear...

A new incentive programme for the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene was launched by France Galop this spring. In danger of being downgraded from Group 2 to Group 3 status next year, the race now has a quintet of lead-up sprint-race qualifiers where the winner will be automatically entered in the June 2 1000-metre sprint and the €1,200 entry fee will be waived. Two of the five qualifying races have already taken place, the Prix Cor de Chasse at Deauville on Apr. 9, won by Vicious Harry (Fr) (Harry Angel {Ire}),...

The Italian black-type calendar was released by the Italian MIPAAF on Monday. Rome starts its turf season on Mar. 5. with Milan and San Siro each beginning on Mar. 14. Regarding the Italian Classics, the G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas) and the G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas), will both be held in Rome on Apr. 25 and each carries a purse of €138,600. The €633,600 G2 Derby Italiano, the richest Group 2 race in Europe, is scheduled for Rome on May 23. Milan plays host to the...