GP Memorial Duque de Toledo and Gran Critérium this Sunday at La Zarzuela

Next Sunday at La Zarzuela there is a meeting with 7 races including the Memorial Duque de Toledo (2,400 m, 3yo+, weight for age, 30,000 euros for the winner), one of the highlights of the season and the Gran Critérium (1,600 m, 2yo, 24,000 euros for the winner)


GP Memorial Duque de Toledo
2,400 m,  3yo+, weight for age, 30,000 euros

The field of this year includes four Classic winners: Domeside, Plantagenet, Pazifiksturm and Fortun, along with the winners of the prep races, Kurdo and Ranyan, Arnuero (2nd last year) and G3 placed Casaca. The Memorial Duque de Toledo is included in the list of races under consideration for inclusion at Listed level.  These are the participants:

Arnuero (GB, 2008), bay colt [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)], owned by Cuadra Medreal, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. He was second last year to Ayanz. He prefers soft going.

Domeside (GB, 2006), bay colt [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz(Kris)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher S., will be ridden by J. Grosjean.Winner of the 2009 Villapadierna (Spanish Derby), he is somewhat irregular

Entre Copas (GB, 2004), ch. gelding [Sakhee-Priena(Priolo)], owned by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by A. Gómez. The Horse of the Year in 2011 is not having a good year and stable jockey Crocquevieille has chosen her sister Casaca.

Kurdo (FR, 2008), bay colt [Baptize-La Sayida(Fairy King)], owned by Yeguada AGF, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. .He won the preparatory race.

Pazifizsturm (GER. 2007) [Samum-La Parabol(Trempolino)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by Ana Imaz Ceca, will be ridden by J. B. Hamel. Winner of the Mijas Cup,also won in Morocco and the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián. He will be the favourite and his win would mean an outstanding year. He is a Classic winner of the Premio Villamejor (Spanish St. Leger)


Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) [Trade Fair-Crafty Buzz(Crafty Prospector)], owned by Cuadra Whylar, trained by G Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez. Winner of the 2010 GP Villapadierna (Spanish Derby), the first Spanish bred winner in Dubai.


Casaca (GB, 2007), ch. flly [Medicean-Priena(Priolo)], owned by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille..She was 2nd to Skinside in the Benítez de Lugo. She runs against her brother Entre Copas for the first time.

Arsalan (GB, 2009), bay colt [Halling-Kali(Linamix)], owned by Reza Pazooki, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by M. Borrego

Fortun (IRE, 2009), a bay colt [Bachelor Duke-Duckmore Bay(Titus Livius)], owned by Cuadra La Toledana, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. Winner of the Villapadierna (Spanish Derby).

Ranyan (SPA, 2009), ch. gelding [Gold Away-Triple Two(Pivotal)], owned by Cuadra Agrado, trained by Teo Callejo, will be ridden by J. Claudic

Azafata (SPA, 2009) [Motivator-Anysheba(Alysheba)]. owned by cuadra Chamartín, trained by J. López, will be ridden by J. Horcajada

Recent winners of the Memorial Duque de Toledo have been: Ayanz (2011), Karluv Most (2010), You or No One (2009), Blue Ridge View (2008), Young Tiger (2007 and 2005) and Jade (2006)


Gran Critérium
1,600 m, 2yo, 24,000 euros

Acamante (GB, 2010), bay colt [Sakhee-Xaluna Bay (Xaar)], onwed by the Duque de Alburquerque, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by A. Gómez. Debutant.

Calamari (FR, 2010), bay colt [Turtle Bowl-Gold Mine(Gold Away)], owned by R. Cocheteaux, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille

Capearth (IRE, 2010), bay colt [Alhaarth-Antigone(Cape Cross)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by A. Imaz, will be ridden by J. B. Hamel

Dagoberto (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-La Atalaya(Montjeu)], owned by Cuadra Nanina, trained by Teo Callejo, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina

Irish Sand (IRE, 2010), ch. colt [Footstepsinthesand-Knysna(Rock of Gibraltar)], onwed by Cuadra Martul, trained by A. Imaz., will be ridden by M. Foulon.

Kiril (FR, 2010), bay colt [Astronomer Royal-Solita(Thunder Gulch)], owned by Cuadra Madroños, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by J. Horcajada.

Moss (SPA, 2010), ch. colt [Palamoss-Falaris(Humool)], owned by Yeguada AGF, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek.

Mou the Special (IRE, 2010), ch. colt [Refuse to Bend-Flagship(Rainbow Quest)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez

Sleeping Wan (GB, 2010), chestnut colt [Sleeping Indian-Vivre Sa Vie(Nashwan)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by Ana Imaz, will be ridden by G. Madero

Pearlside (FR, 2010), bay filly [Alhaarth-Prickly Pearl(Lahib)], owned by Cuadra Madroños, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. She won the Carlos Sobrino in her last start and she is the half sister to Baldoria, who won the Gran Critérium in 2005

Recent winners of the Gran Critérium are: Matusalén (2011), Volcánico (2010), Adjuge (2009), As de Trébol (2008), Rituss (2007), What a Caper (2006) and Baldoria (2005)

Pazifiksturm wins the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián

Pazifiksturm (GER, 2007), [Samum-La Parabol(Trempolino)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by Ana Imaz and ridden by J. B, Hamel, won yesterday the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (2,400 m, 3yo+, wight for age, 40,000 euros for the winner) in the Lasarte racetrack. Phuket (SPA, 2009) [Multazem-New Vert(Vert Amande)] was 2nd, Australia Day was third and the Spanish Derby winner Fortun was 4th.

Australia Day commanded the race in the first part, but Pazifiksturm took the lead before the final stretch, to keep it relatively easy, winnin by a margin of 3 1/2 lengths over late charging Phuket.

Video: Copa de Oro de San Sebastián, 2012

Pazifiksturm is having an outstanding year, winning the Mijas Cup 2012  in March and the Prix Sa Majesté le Roi VI in Morocco  in June. He was second to Bannaby in the 2012 edition of the Copa de Oro. Pazifiksturm is a classic winner of the Premio Villamejor (St. Leger) in 2010.

Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby), Sunday 3 of June 2012

The Sunday 3 meeting at the La Zarzuela racecourse of Madrid incluids in its racecard the Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby), [2,400 m, 3yos, 34,800 euros for the winner]. This edition is, as always a crossroad to test horses coming from different lines, namely the Premio Velayos (won by the unbeaten Galipoli, with Fortun second), the GP Nacional (Alonso, the winner is absent from the Villapadierna, but 2nd, 3rd and fourth will run), the Cimera (Guineas), represented by Nuredyn - 4th in the GP Nacional - and Riky Rock and also raiders from France (Around the Moon, Campillo), etc.

This is the field:

Around the Moon (IRE, 2009), bay colt [Danehill Dancer-Moon Flower(Sadler's Wells)], owned by Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher S. Will be ridden by J. Horcajada. Recntly bought in FRance.

Arsalan (GB, 2009), bay colt [Halling-Kali(Linamix)], owned by Reza Pazooki, trained by F. Rodríguez. Will be ridden by R- C. Montenegro.

Campillo (FR, 2009), bay colt [Lando-Milisa(Anabaa)], owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J. L. Maroto. Will be ridden by C. Nora.

Fortun (IRE, 2009), a bay colt [Bachelor Duke-Duckmore Bay(Titus Livius)], owned by Cuadra La Toledana, trained by J. L. Maroto. Will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Second to Galipoli in the Velayos.

Galipoli (FR, 2009), bay colt [Sulamani-Sweet Willa(Assert)], owned by Cuadra San Rafael, trained by Teo Callejo. Will be ridden by V. Janacek. Winner of the Premio Velayos 2012. Galipoli is unbeaten in three starts and won the Premio Velayos 2012, traditional prep race for the Villapadierna

Galipoli bearting Fortun in the Premio Velayos. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

Giggolo Star (SPA, 2009), ch.colt [Dyhim Diamond-Flamingo Star(Limpid)], owned by Cuadra Magaña, trained by J. C. Fernández R. Will be ridden by J. C. Cerqueira. He was third in the GP Nacional.

Gustei (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Baptize-Party Dress(Lahib)], owned by Cuadra Peñarroya, trained by C. Gallipoli, will be ridden by R. Ramos.

Kadmios (FR, 2009), bay colt [Kavafi-Erika(Distant Relative)], owned by Cuadra Nakata, trained and ridden by J. L. Martínez.

Monsieur Opera (FR, 2009), bay colt [Lando-Mensa Sonne(Monsun)], owned by Salvador Márquez, trained by J. López. Will be ridden by O. Ortiz de Urbina. Winner of his only start (beating Sportside, - then 2nd in the Beamonte -, and Giggolo Star).

Nuredyn (FR, 2009), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Nurenieva(Enrique)], owned by Cuadra Zurraquín, trained by M. Hernández, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. Winner of the Premio Cimera (2,000 Guineas), he was fourth in the GP Nacional.

Nuredyn (Dyhim Diamon) winning the Premio Cimera. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

Phuket (SPA, 2009), ch. colt [Multazem-New Vert(Vert Amande)], owned by María de Salas, trained by J. L. de Salas, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. Phuket was 2nd in his last and best performance to date, in the GP Nacional. He is half brother to Cimera winner Festeiro and GP Nacional winner Newango and also to Listed performer Vert Helice.

Riky Rock (IRE, 2009), bay colt [Invincible Spirit-Hataana(Robellino], owned by Cuadra Bloke, trained by J. A. Rodríguez. He was second to Nuredyn in the Cimera


The winners of the previous runnings of the Villapadierna were Ayanz (2011), Plantagenet (2010), Domeside (2009), Tsarabi (2008), Premier Galop (2007) and Palamoss (2006). A list of the winners from 1952 can be found here

The rest of the meeting includes:
A 1,100 m race for 2yos, with 7 participants

The Premio Prosegour-Rheffissimo, a 2,200 m race for 4yo+, featuring Arnuero (GB, 2008), bay colt [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)], owned by Cuadra Medreal, trained by M. Delcher S., the half brother to Harbinger, who was 2nd in the Memorial Duque de Toledo last fall and 2nd to Abdel in his seasonal debut, Don Hernando Hab (Delfos), Meneldor (Barathea), 2011 Beamonte winner  Clunia (Silent Times), Señor Miranda (Fantastic Light) and Karluv Most (Della Francesca)

The Premio Marca-Donagua (1,400 m, 3yo+), with Cielo Canarias, Shumookh, .Dunedain, Risby, El Fenix, Golfo Pérsico, Makaamen, Garajonay, Paniside and Laura Moon

And the two parts of a split handicap for 3yo+ over 2,100 m.

Galipoli wins the Premio Velayos

Galipoli (FR, 2009), a bay colt [Sulamani-Weet Willa(Assert)], won today the Premio Velayos, with jockey Vaclav Janacek, for trainer Teo Callejo and owners Cuadra San Rafael. He beat Fortun (IRE, 2009), a bay colt [Bachelor Duke-Duckmore Bay(Titus Livius)], owned by Cuadra La Toledana, trained by J. L. Maroto by a length, with Cardolan (IRE, 2009), b. c. [Azamour-Plutonia(Sadler's Wells)] third some 5 lengths behind.

The Premio Velayos (2,200 m, 3yo, 15,000 euros for the winner) is a traditional prep race for the Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby).

Galipoli (Sulamani) beats Fortun in the Premio Velayos. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

Here is the video: Premio Velayos 2012  and here is a 11 min video:: Premio Velayos 2012

Thsi is the third win in as many starts for Galipoli, half brother to the Group 3 winners Holberg and Undermine. His dam, Sweet Willa is own sister to the G1W Willa on the Move (Ashland Stakes, 2nd Spinster Stakes, Gazelle Stakes).

The other highlight of the meeting was the 3rd race, Premio La Razón - Premio Andrés Covarrubias , a 1,400 m race for 4yo, won by Mil Azul (SPA, 2008), a bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)] , owned by Cuadra Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. Salas and ridden by J. L. Borrego, who beat As de Trébol (Tapit) and Volcánico (Refuse to Bend), with S Grillo fourth. Here is the video: Premio La Razón - Andrés Covarrubias

In the first race (1,400 m, 4yo+, split handicap,  2nd part), the winner was Vega de Castilla (Golan), wih Pedreña (Dyhim Diamond) second

The 2nd race, Premio Cruzcampo (1,600 m, amateur jockeys) was won by Libertino (Daliapour), with Sandoval (Ishiguru) 2nd.

In the first part of the 1,400 m split handicap, the winner was Liniberto (Bertolini), with As de Thomas (Bahri) 2nd.

In the last race, a 2,400 m race for 4yo+, the winner was Meneldor (Barathea), with Porquenotecallas (Fantastic Light) second

Brave Prospector wins in the last meeting of the year

Brave Prospector (GB, 2005) [Oasis Dream-Simply Time] the bay gelding owned by Cuadra Los Aspirantes, trained by Teo Callejo and ridden by J. Crocquevieille won yesterday the Premio Hipódromos de Andalucía (1,600 m, 3yo+) beating Bottega (USA, 2007) [Mineshaft-Sun is Up], with Corcubión (SPA, 2005) [Kashwan-Loureira] third. This is the second win in two starts, for the G3 performer in the UK Brave Prospector, bought recently in Tattersalls.

Makaamen was the frontrunner, Bottega took command in the last turn but he was surpassed by Brave Prospector in the stretch. Here is the race: Premio Hipódromos de Andalucía.

Other winners of the meeting were:
Milagrés (GB, 2008), a bay colt [Delfos-Royal Ulay], owned and trained by M. Delcher Sánchez, ridden by J. Grosjean, won the handicap race, with the top weight.

Fortun (IRE, 2009) won the 1,800 m race for 2 yo, for Cuadra Becares and trainer J. L. Maroto and ridden by J. Crocquevieille, beating Makalali (Kodiak)

Chiqui (IRE, 2009) [Captain Rio] , won the 1,200 m race for maiden 2yos.

Dixlesio (Ifraaj) won the 2,100 m claiming race.