Achtung wins the Premio Villamejor (St. Leger)

Achtung (SPA, 2008) [Sulamani-Aurea(Silvano)], a bay colt owned by Cuadra Enalto, trained by Roberto López and ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina, won today the last of the Spanish Classic races, the Premio Villamejor (2,800 m, 3 yo) (Spanish St. Leger) in the La Zarzuela racetrack over a soft going.

Casar (IRE, 2008) [Hurricane Run-Thoroughly(Woodman)], a ch. colt, Cuadra Quinto Real, trained by M. Delcher and ridden by J. Horcajada, was second by half a length, with Lionel Star (FR, 2008) [Silent Times-Lady Cree(Medicean)] third and Francesco Cara fourth.

Lionel Star, ridden by J. L. Martínez, was the front runner, followd by Labrit for most of the race. In the home stretch, Lionel Star retained strength to fight, beaten only by the closers Achtung and Casar.

Achtung beating Casar in the Villamejor. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


This is the video: Premio Villamejor 2011

Achtung is the first product of the Listed placed Aurea (GER, 2003) [Silvano-Alula(Monsun)], who was third in the Prix de la Cochere (L) and in the HSBC,Trinhaus Burkhardt Riemer Meile (L).

Matusalen wins the Criterium Nacional

Matusalén (SPA, 2009) [Caradak-Bixaare(Xaar)] a bay colt property of Cuadra Aller, trained by M. Delcher S. and ridden by J. Horcajada, won the Premio El País - Criterium Nacional (1,400 m, 2yo, Spanish bred) in the Lasarte-Oria racecourse (San Sebastián), beating Flash McQueen (SPA, 2009), a filly by Dyhim Diamond and Peinture D'Or (Peintre Celebre) ridden by R.C. Montenegro for trainer A. Imaz and owner C. Boutin, with Azabache (b. c., SPA, 2009) [Iceman-Tiviski(Desert Style)] third and Leitzarán (b.f., SPA, 2009, Dyhim Diamond fourth). Matusalén is one of the two winners from three runners for freshman sire Caradak, who stands at Dehesa Milagro.

Here is the race: Criterium Nacional 2011

Other races of the meeting included the first win for Francesco Cara (FR, 2008) [Della Francesca-Magic Cara(Akarad) in the Premio tax Asesoría y Gestión, a 2,200 m race for 3 y/o. Francesco Cara, who was ridden by J. C. Cerqueira for Cuadra Santa Bárbara and trained T. Callejo, is half brother to Spanish Oaks placed Johanie Cara. The filly Ramallah (SPA, 2008) [Federal Trial-Utrech(DOn Roberto)] was second, with Black Moon (b.f., IRE, 2008) (High Chaparral), third.

There was also a 2,000 race for Spanish bred 3y/0, won by Lionel Star (b. c., 2008, FR) [Silent Times-Lady Creee(Medicean)], with J. L. Borrego, for trainer M. J. Pérez and Cuadra Los Hierros, with Goimendi (OKawango-SPA) and Don Hernando Hab third.

11 colts and one filly for the Premio Villapadierna (Spanish Derby)

The main race of next Sunday is the GP Villapadierna (Spanish Derby) that will have, apart from a very interesting field of colts, the presence of a filly (Aspasia de Mileto) and the presence of Italian jockey Mirco Demuro (winner of the last edition of the Dubai World Cup), who will ride Ayanz. The Premio Villapadierna is run in the La Zarzuela track in Madrid, over 2,400 m, since 1952.

The partants are:

Ayanz (GB, 2008) [Tiger Hill-Got to Go(Shareef Dancer)] owned by Cuadra Quinto Real and trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by Mirco Demuro. Ayanz won in a very impressive way the Hándicap Opcional in March and was third in the Premio Cimera (1,000 Guineas), coming from far behind. Ayanz is half brother to Sarasate (2006, by Sakhee), who was fourth in this race in 2009.

Ayanz (GB), winning the Hándicap Opcional in March.Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Cape Point (FR, 2008) [Anabaa Blue-Galgarina(Double Bed)], owned by Cuadra Edif, trained by R. Martín, will be ridden by C. Nora. He has run only in France, with a French rating of 38.

Casar (IRE, 2008) [Hurricane Run-Thoroughly(Woodman)], owned by Cuadra Bering, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by Borja Fayos. Only two starts, with a win in the last one, only 9 days before the Derby. Casar is half brother to Midnight Beauty (IRE, 2004, by Celtic Swing), who won the Prix Condé (Gr. 3, France) at two and was second in the Premio Villapadierna in 2007.

Dunboinee (IRE, 2008) [King's Best-For Starters(In the Wings)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by A. imaz, will be ridden by D. Boeuf. He was second to Clunia (IRE) in San Sebastián at two (Criterium Internacional) and has run mostly in France, including a 2,400 m race with a French rating of 40. Cuadra Martul and trainer A. Imaz won this race in 2008 with Tsarabi

Eltso (SPA, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)], owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal, trained by J. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Won in his debut and then was second to Festeiro in the GP Nacional.

Eltso (SPA), after his winning debut.Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Festeiro (SPA, 2008 [Fol Parade-New Vert(Vert Amande)], owned by Cuadra El Negredo, trained by M Delcher (Senior), will be ridden by Jorge Horcajada. Winner of the Premio Cimera and of the Gran Premio Nacional, Festeiro is half brother to Newango (SPA)and Vert Helice

Francesco Cara (FR, 2008) [Della Francesca-Magic Cara(Akarad)], owned by Cuadra Santa Bárbara, trained by T. Callejo, will be ridden by Fergal Lynch. He is half brother to Johanie Cara, third in the Premio Beamonte (Oaks) in 2006.

Happy Few (GB, 2008) [Ballingarry-Ventlera(Gulch)], owned by Cuadra Odisea, trained by I. Gómez, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. Winner of the Premio Nouvel An.

Indiano (SPA, 2008) [Intikhab-Badaayer(Silver Hawk)], owned by El Potro Club, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. Winner of the Premio Velayos

Malkova (FR, 2008) [Xaar-Bonne Gargotte(Poliglote)], owned by Cuadra Yudakova, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. C. Cerqueira.

Mayerling (FR, 2008) [Green Tune-Tropical Chic(Thunder Gulch)], owned by Cuadra Odisea, trained by M Delcher (Senior), will be ridden by J. L. Martínez.

Aspasia de Mileto (GB, 2008) [Hurricane Run-Fabulous Speed(Silver Hawk)] owned and trained by J. M. Osorio (Duque de Alburquerque), will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. The only filly in the field, unbeaten in two starts, Aspasia won the Premio Valderas (1,000 guineas) and has skipped the Beamonte (Oaks) to face the colts. The last filly to win the Premio Villapadierna was Travertine, back in 1971.

Indiano (SPA) wins the Premio Velayos and Bellaside (IRE) wins the Covarrubias

Indiano (SPA, 2008) [Intikhab-Badaayer(Silver Hawk)], bay colt owned by Cuadra El Potro Club and trained by G. Arizkorreta, won today the Premio Velayos with jockey Vaclav Janacek. Llanes (USA, 2008) [Giant Causeway-Coachella(Danehill)] took the lead from the beginning, with a fast pace, and kept it until the home stretch in which Indiano was the first to attack and held off the charge of Arnuero (GB, 2008) [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)] who was third and Francesco Cara (FR, 2008) [Della Francesca-Magic Cara(Akarad)] who was second. Malkova (FR) finished fourth.

Indiano (SPA) beating Francesco Cara and Arnuero. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Video: Premio Velayos 2011

This is the first win for Indiano (SPA), who was fourth, third and second in his previous starts.

In the Premio Andrés Covarrubias, the winner was Bellaside (IRE, 2007) [La Vie dei Colori-Brockton Saga(Perugino)] a bay filly owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by Enrique León and also ridden by Vaclav Janacek. She charged in the home stretch to catck the front runner Shumookh (IRE, 2003) [Mujahid-Midway Lady(Alleged)] who finished second, holding off a final attack by Ariete Arrollador (GB), third, with As de Trébol (USA), fourth in is return to Spain.

Bellaside (IRE) (green and red) beating Shumookh, Ariete Arrollador and As de Trébol. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


This is the video: Premio Andrés Covarrubias

Premio Velayos and Premio Covarrubias this Sunday 8th

The Sunday May 8th meeting in Madrid (La Zarzuela) features two very interesting races: the Premio Velayos (2,200 m, 3 yo, traditional trial race for the Villapadierna - Spanish Derby) and the Premio Andrés Covarrubias (1,400 m, 4 yo+) with the return to La Zarzuela of As de Trébol (USA), recent Gr. 3 placed in Dubai.

In the Premio Velayos, the third race of the card, the favourite is Arnuero (GB) [Sakhee-Pennang Pearl], the half brother to Harbinger who won his last (and second) start: Premio SEPI. Arnuero is owned by Cuadra Bering and trained by M. Delcher S. He will be ridden by Borja Fayos.

Arnuero (GB, 2008) after his win in March 27th. Photo courtesy of: turfarganda.blogspot.com

Arnuero will face other five partants:

Fleche d'Arcis (FR) [Anabaa Blue-Feale(Barathea)], owned by Cuadra Talismán, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. He won in his last start, but this race seems beyond his reach.

Francesco Cara (FR, 2008) [Della Francesca-Magic Cara] is half brother to Johannie Cara (filly, 2003) (Johann Quatz), third in the Spanish Oaks and in the Gran Premio de Madrid. He has two starts with a third and a fourth. He is owned by Cuadra Santa Bárbara and trained by T. Callejo and will be ridden by J. C. Cerqueira.

Indiano (SPA, 2008) [Intikhab-Badaayer], owned by El Potro Club, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. He was beaten by Arnuero (see race above) and then he was second to Abdel in this race

Llanes (USA) [Giant's Causeway-Coachela(Danehil)]. Owned by Cuadra Bering, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by Jorge Horcajada

Malkova (FR) [Xaar-Bonne Gargotte(Poliglote)]. Owned by Luis Alberto Núñez, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille.

Llanes and Malkova were second and third, respectively, in the Premio Nouvel An won by Happy Few


The Premio Andrés Covarrubias (1,400 m, 4 y/o+) also has a very interesting field: Ariete Arrollador, winner of the Premio Cimera in 2010, As de trébol (USA), back from Dubai, Amadeo Rey, recent winner of the Premio Habitancum, Shumookh, the highly versatile gelding, Peñalen (GB), winner of the Premio Antonio Blasco last year, Bellaside (IRE), Ave Titus (GB), Magic Victory (GB), Montalban (FR) and Whoswithya (IRE).