Workmanlike. That word might best describe Novellist in his win over Seismos in the Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-I) Sept. 1 at Baden-Baden amidst his ongoing preparations for next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I).
Eager to race under Eduardo Pedroza, the 4-year-old Monsun colt spurted to the front early and set a steady pace before stablemate Seismos took charge halfway through the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) test, German'sy marquee handicap event.
A brief battle ensued between the two at the top of straight, but Novellist had the stamina in reserve to reassert himself and held back Seismos to win by a three-quarters of a length.
The 3-10 favorite off his impressive five-length romp in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-I) July 27 at Ascot last time out, Novellist finished the Grosser Preis von Baden in 2:33.90.
"He wasn't as spectacular as at Ascot, but he won in the way we were expecting as he was only 80-to-90% right today," trainer Andreas Wohler told Racing Post. "The main target is in five weeks time in Paris. I thought he had an ideal prep race and Eddie rode a super race."
The Arc, Europe's premier middle-distance race, is set for Oct. 6 at Longchamp.
With his latest triumph, Novellist became the first horse to win three Breeders’ Cup Challenge races in a single year. In addition to his Royal Ascot victory, he previously earned an automatic berth in the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) with his win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) June 23. All three races are part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win & You're In" series Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
Seismos, recent winner of the Grosser Preis von Bayern (Ger-I), outfinished three-time group I winner Meandre by three-quarters of a length for second in the five-horse field.
Meandre tracked the winner and runner-up throughout and loomed menacingly a furlong out, but ultimately was outfooted.
Novellist now has nine wins and a second—in the 2012 Deutsches Derby (Ger-I, German Derby)—from 11 career starts. He is a homebred of prominent owner-breeder Dr. Christoph Berglar, owner of Stonereath Stud in Paris, Kentucky.
Bred in Germany, Novellist's dam is German highweight and group III winner Night Lagoon, by Lagunas.
