Italian Derby

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...

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 group of Italians who call South Florida home banded together last year to form Miami IP Stable, a racing stable of American-bought horses to race in Italy. The partners' initial investment worked out so well, they plan on restocking at the upcoming yearlings sale and this time they hope to make use of evolving technology to increase their buying power. Paolo Romanelli, whose roots in Italian racing run deep, spearheaded the partnership. "I have this passion for horse racing because of my family tradition," Romanelli said of the origins...

Racing in Italy is set to resume on Monday, with purse levels maintained and with Classic action kicking off with the Italian Guineas', the G3 Premio Regina Elena and the G3 Premio Parioli, on June 14. The G2 Italian Oaks will be staged on July 5, and the G2 Italian Derby on July 12. Pivotal in securing the resumption of racing were jockey agent Stefano Pugliese, who led a demonstration that drew around 70 trainers, jockeys, grooms and owners in front of the Milan Prefecture; and Giuseppe L'Abbate and Teresa...