Gran Premio Nacional this Sunday

The GP Nacional is the main race of the season for Spanish breds, a 2,200 m race for 3 y/o. This race was won by Plantagenet last year.

Partants (almost definitive) are:

Abdel (SPA, 2008), a bay colt. [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], owned and trained by J.M. Osorio, Duque de Alburquerque, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Three starts with two wins, the last one beating Indiano, recent winner of the Velayos. Here is the video

Abdel beating Indiano in April. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

Aljarafe(FR, 2008), a bay colt [Russian Blue-Noche] trained by G. Arizcorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. He has two starts with one third and one win. Owned by Cuadra Whylar. Aljarafe is half brother to Sam Winner, Gr. 1 placed over hurdles in the UK. This is his win: video

Betanzos(SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt, [Kashwan-Bridge Pool ], owned by Cuadra Llas, trained by J.A. López Valverde , will be ridden by M. Secci

Diamant du Soleil (FR, 2008) a chestnut colt, [Dyhim Diamond-Solina], owned by Cuadra Cielo de Madrid, will be ridden by M. Gomes and is trained by O. Rodríguez. Five starts, four placings

Don Hernando Hab(SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt, [Delfos-Cuddles], owned by
Gonzalo Hernando-Aboin, he is trained by A. Carrasco and will be ridden by Borja Fayos. He has 7 starts with 2 wins and 2 placings

Eltso (SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt, [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine], owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal, trained by J. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Won his only start, in 1,600 m: Premio Cría Nacional

Eltso (jockey in red) in a final charge to beat Aljarafe (jockey in black), also partant this Sunday, last March.Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Festeiro(SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt [Fol Parade-New Vert(Vert Amande)] won the Premio Cimera (1,000 guineas) and is half brother to Newango, winner of this GP Nacional in 2007. He is owned by Cuadra El Negredo and trained by M. Delcher (Senior) and Jorge Horcajada (who rode hime in the Cimera) will be his jockey.

Happy Few(GB, 2008), a bay colt, [Ballingarry-Ventolera] owned by Cuadra Odisea, is trained by I. Gómez and will be ridden by A. Gómez. He has three starts, winning the last two, including the Premio Nouvel An


Kurdo (SPA, 2008), a bay colt, [Baptize-La Sayida], owned by Cuadra LAC Internacional, trained by G. Arizcorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. He has three starts, with two placings.

Mil Azul(SPA, 2008) a bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, will be ridden by F. Lynch and is trained by J. L. de Salas. Six starts, three wins, three placings.

Prince Trial(SPA, 2008) bay colt, [Federal Trial-Vagabunda] trained by J. C. Fernández, will be ridden by F. Jiménez. Owned by Cuadra Zalduendo. Has two starts, winning the last one on 2,100 m.

Pichuca (GB) wins the Premio Atlántida

Pichuca (GB, 2008) [Silent Times-Milady's Pride] ridden by J. L. Borrego won this Sunday 20th the Premio Atlántida at La Zarzuela (Madrid) for trainer M. J. Pérez and owner Cuadra Pegaso. The Premio Atlántida is a 1,400 m race reserved for 3 y/o fillies. The chestnut filly took the lead early in the race and commanded until the end. Bucovina (SPA) [Dyhim Diamond-Spette Thon(Marathon)] was second in a late charge, with Azamor (SPA) [Slickly-Red Bravo(Red Ransom)] third and the favourite Clunia fourth. This is the second consecutive win for Pichuca, who has a two year full sister entered in the Breeze-Up sale in Madrid next Saturday. Here is the race: Premio Atlántida 2011.

In the first race, a 1,600 m for 3 y/o maidens, the winner was Happy Few [Ballingbarry-Ventolera(Gulch)] a bay colt owned by Cuadra Odisea, ridden by Alvaro Gómez and trained by I. Gómez. Flash Val (SPA, 2008) [Denver County-Lake Coinsance(Lake Coniston)] was second, with Llanes (USA) [Giant's Causeway-Coachella(Danehill)] third.

In the third race, a 1,600 m for unraced Spanish-bred 3 y/o, the winner was Eltso (SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)] owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal and trained by J. López, ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Eltso, in a thrilling finish, along with Don Fernando Hab [Intikhab] (second), caught Aljarafe in the post. Aljarafe, [Russian Blue-Noche(Night Shift)] is a half brother to Sam Winner, recent 4th in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham and Grade 2 winner in hurdles last November.
Here is the race: Premio Cría Nacional


Meanwhile, the sixth race was the first victory in Spain for the stallion Federal Trial (USA), who stands in Orense, when Prince Trial (SPA, 2008] [Federal Trial-Vagabunda(Don Roberto)] found a gap to push through in the stretch, beating the favourite Coside (USA, 2008) [Cozzene-Fairy Heights(Fairy King)]. Prince Trial is owned by Cuadra Zalduendo and trained by J. C. Fernández and was ridden by Alvaro Gómez [who made a hat trick in this meeting]. Here is the race: Premio Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales

Prince Trial (SPA) beats Coside (USA). Photo courtesy of Cortacabeza.wordpress.com