Group I racing in Europe overnight produced a Frankel quinella in the Group I Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, but the winner was not the Frankel that ran as favourite , while the German Derby delivered a new Group I winner for Camelot.
The Group I Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, (2400m) was supposed to see Godolphin’s triple Group I winning Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane return to form in his quest to improve on last year’s third placing in the Arc.
The son of Frankel failed to produce his best to finish eighth, beaten 11 lengths, with victory going to quality 5YO Frankel mare Alipinsta by a length and a quarter over Finche’s improving brother Baratti, another son of Frankel.
Alpinista was having her first run this year and looks to have come back in great order.
“I think all roads will probably lead to the Arc. The King George may come a bit soon but races like the Vermeille would be an ideal prep for the Arc,” said winning rider Luke Morris.
“We usually ride her very handy but there looked to be a lot of pace in the race so on her first run of the year we said we'd take a chance and drop her in a bit more and see how she went. The gap came lovely and she produced a very good turn of foot.”
A homebred for Kirsten Rausings’ Lanwades Stud, Alpinista is trained by Sir Mark Prescott and was a triple Group I winner in Germany before this success and has now won eight of 13 starts, her last six wins in succession.
She has enjoyed a steady rise through her career as a maiden winner at two, a Group I placed Listed winner at three before going undefeated last season winning all five starts in 2021 including three Group I races in Germany.
Alpinista is the first winner for stakes-winning Hernando mare Alwilda, a daughter of triple Group I winner Albonova.
Alwilda is a half-sister to Group III winner Algometer and stakes-winner All At Sea, the dam of this year’s Royal Ascot Group II Queen’s Vase winner Eldar Eldarov.
This female family has been carefully nurtured at Lanwades Stud over four generations delivering countless stakes-winners.
The Group I German Derby (2400m) won in a thrilling finish by lightly raced Camelot colt Sammarco, who won in a tight finish.
Trained by Peter Schiergen, Sammarco was a last start Group II winner and scored a head win with his tenacious run on the inside.
Sammarco is the tenth Group I winner for Camelot and is the first winner for his dam Saloon Sold, a stakes-placed Soldier’s Hollow mare from the family of stakes-winners Salonblue, Salon Soldier, Monblue, Salon Love and Serena.
