News

Castelvecchio wins another G1 as Galletta eyes further riches

21st Mar 2020

Outstanding 3YO Castelvecchio today won the G1 Rosehill Guineas but his owner Ottavio Galletta is already eyeing off more top-level success over the next month.

“It’s terrific, he’s a terrific horse, and now he’s going to win the Derby and the Queen Elizabeth,’’ Galletta, who bought Castelvecchio at the 2018 Classic Yearling Sale for $150,000 from Arrowfield Stud, said.

“And then the Cox Plate later in the year. He’s only going to get better over more ground.

“Last start, many said he was disappointing but it was too short for him, he had a lot of inconveniencies and knocks. You only need to look at the stewards’ report to know to forget about it.

“Today, out to 2000m and ridden perfectly just off the speed by Craig [Williams], he’s back. Although we knew he’d never gone anywhere anyway.’’

It was a first 3YO G1 for the Richard Litt-trained Castelvecchio (pictured), who twice finished second at the top level in the spring including behind one of the world’s best gallopers Lys Gracieux in the Cox Plate.

John Messara of Arrowfield Stud, who not only offered the horse but has since bought back into the ownership, was “absolutely thrilled but not surprised’’ with today’s result.

“Remember, this is a colt that had a really significant 2YO career, winning on debut, winning the Inglis Millennium over 1200m so brilliantly before a dominant Group 1 victory in the Champagne,’’ Messara said.

“Then he made that huge step in the spring to run second to one of the world’s very best in the Cox Plate and now he’s returned to emulate his sire Dundeel as a Rosehill Guineas winner.

“All of that marks him out as a very special colt and I believe there’s more to come.

“I’m also delighted for Richard Litt, Ottavio & Wendy Galletta and our fellow owners and really proud of the Arrowfield team who can celebrate four Group 1-winning graduate colts this season: Super Seth, Alabama Express, Tagaloa & Castelvecchio.”

Castelvecchio is one of 44 G1-winning Inglis graduates since 2018, more than double our nearest competitor.

Earlier at Rosehill California Zimbol (I Am Invincible) locked in a second career Stakes victory when winning the Listed Darby Munro for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.

The 3YO filly led in an Inglis grads quinella, defeating the fast-finishing Premier graduate Dawn Passage.

California Zimbol, who defeated last night’s G1 William Reid Stakes winner Loving Gaby in the G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes last spring, is a $450,000 Easter Yearling Sale purchase for Marie Yoshida’s Asian Bloodstock Services on behalf of Howard Liang, from the Yarraman Park Stud draft.

In the G3 Epona Stakes, Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker achieved the goal of getting black type onto underrated stayer Missybeel’s page when she was victorious.

It was an Inglis Easter trifecta in the Epona as Missybeel (Savabeel) held off Gayatri and Greysful Glamour.

Baker and Blandford Bloodstock bought Missybeel for $210,000 from Waikato Stud, who also bred the now 5YO mare.

Miss Exfactor (Your Song) also secured a valuable first Stakes success when winning the G3 Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill for trainer Joe Pride.

Offered by Widden Stud at the 2015 Australian Weanling Sale at Newmarket, Miss Exfactor started her racing career in Queensland where she won four of her first seven starts – with three minor placings.

She is now a valuable racing and broodmare prospect after today’s result.

And I Am Excited’s win in the G1 The Galaxy provided a timely Easter Sale pedigree update for Newgate Farm, who will offer her I Am Invincible half brother as lot 10 at Riverside Stables next month.

To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile at Mornington courageous mare Diamond Effort (Mossman) made it three wins from as many starts this preparation when victorious in the Listed Hareeba Stakes.

Never closer than three-wide the trip, Diamond Effort produced a fighting effort in the final stages to run down fellow Inglis graduate Runson, with Seabrook finishing third to make it another Inglis graduates Stakes trifecta.

Domenic Romanelli purchased Diamond Effort for $140,000 at the Premier Yearling Sale, where Cornerstone Stud offered her.

She has now won six of her 12 starts for more than $300,000 prizemoney.