Mastercraftsman (Ire)

Considered by most to be mere understudy to Kalpana (Study Of Man) in Saturday's G3 September Stakes at Kempton, last year's Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) had other ideas as he registered a minor upset. Always comfortable tracking the pacemaker for Juddmonte's 1-2 market-leader, the 9-4 second favourite outstayed her under Oisin Murphy in the closing stages to score by 1 1/2 lengths. While Kalpana's Arc bid may have been derailed here, all roads lead back to Sha Tin for the winner according to Marco Botti. "He is still...

Scuderia la Tesa and Vaibhav Shah's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is targeting the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night, Apr. 5. Said trainer Marco Botti of his new G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero, "I think we'll skip Saudi for sure and head to Dubai. After the other day we'll think about the Sheema Classic, that will be his next target all being well. "He is definitely a horse who enjoys travelling. He enjoys being away from the yard and it gives us chance to target those...

Carrying a penalty in Thursday's G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket, Scuderia la Tesa and Vaibhav Shah's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) made light work of the task to enhance his reputation en route to the G1 Irish St Leger. Last seen impressively recording a second consecutive success in the G2 Yorkshire Cup over an extra two furlongs, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old was content to sit behind two rivals racing up the centre of the track and was already closing in with menace when Oisin Murphy gave the command two...

Friday's G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup was all about Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), as last year's winner returned in rude health to dominate for the repeat on York's Knavesmire. Readily reversing the form of his latest fifth to Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old who started at 7-2 cruised to Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) two out and bounded into the clear for a 4 3/4-length success under Oisin Murphy. Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) was a further 3/4 of a length...

Listed as Lot 1 next Wednesday, Thoroughbid's Christmas Sale will offer a breeding right to Aclaim (Ire)--sire of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire)--as one of the highlights of the 32 strong mixed catalogue of horses in training, breeding and youngstock. Also on offer will be Fletchers Dream (GB) (Advertise {GB}) as Lot 10, a son of Poet's Princess (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}), herself half-sister to the dam of GSW Raasel (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who won his sole start over the Newcastle all-weather last Saturday for conditioner Craig Lidster. He...

Expected to be the star of the show, champion Alpha Centauri (Mastercraftsman {Ire}--Alpha Lupi {Ire}, by Rahy) did not disappoint and brought a co-session-topping €6 million on the bid of MV Magnier. Also part of the Norelands draft who were selling on behalf of Niarchos family like €3.3-million mare That Which Is Not (Elusive Quality) just three hips prior, the imposing grey (lot 1263) equaled the price of her Sea The Moon (Ger) half-sister and fellow Group 1 winner Alpine Star (Ire) to share topper honours. In foal to Sea...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Romagna Mia in the Dowager S. at Keeneland last weekend.   Mia All Class In Dowager Team Valor International's Romagna Mia (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) won the Dowager S. at Keeneland on Sunday (video). It was the GI Beverly D. S. third's second graded/group score, having taken the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio in 2022. Bred by Cavendish Bloodstock, the Graham Motion trainee was a...

Scuderia La Tesa's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Yorkshire Cup S. in May, will not travel for the G1 Melbourne Cup in November, with connections considering the G2 Long Distance Cup at Ascot instead, trainer Marco Botti revealed. "He's in good form and has come out of the race at York in fine shape, but we're not going to Australia," said Botti. "There were a few niggling problems and it's not going to happen this year unfortunately. "Hopefully next year if we still have him and...

Mick and Janice Mariscotti's ultra-consistent 6-year-old gelding Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}--Promise Me {Ire}, by Montjeu {Ire}) settled for placings in this term's G1 Gold Cup and G1 Goodwood Cup and exacted revenge on Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) with a determined effort in Friday's G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York. Coltrane, a 14-length runner-up in this marathon contest last year, had risen through the staying ranks to notch victories in last term's G2 Doncaster Cup and this term's G3 Sagaro S. and raced...

The catalogue for the 2023 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, which is set to take place on Sept. 19-21, is now available to view online. The auction will have 506 lots on offer for Part I on Sept. 19-20, with 256 more lots selling during Part II on the final day. The September Yearling Sale has produced 53 individual 2-year-old winners to date throughout Ireland, UK, France, Italy and Hungary, as well Group 3 and listed success at home and abroad. Last year, trainer Stefano Botti purchased G3 Premio Primi...

Connections of 14-1 shot Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) had benefitted from the intervention of the stewards when promoted to third in the G1 St Leger in September, but they faced an anxious wait themselves before being allowed to keep Friday's G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup. Causing notable interference to the tiring Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) as he assumed command late on under Andrea Atzeni, Scuderia La Tesa's Marco Botti-trained homebred had half a length to spare over the penalised Leger hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at the line, with Broome...

New group winners Lastotchka (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}--Muthla {Fr}, by Muhtathir {GB}) and Speirling Beag (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}--Starscape {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) have been added to the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale catalogue. They are set to sell during the opening session in Deauville on Dec. 3. Saturday's G3 Prix Belle de Nuit heroine Lastotchka races for Ecurie Noel Forgeard, P Bonnier et. al. and Jean-Marie Beguigne and was already a winner of the Listed Prix de Thiberville earlier this year. Bred by Ecurie Touchstone, she was second to 'TDN Rising...