Campanologist Strikes German Gold

Campanologist earned a long overdue group I victory when he came home a decisive winner in the Grosser Preis von Lotto Hamburg (Ger-I) July 17.

Always competitive in top races worldwide, the Godolphin colorbearer had found victory in a group I race to be elusive, with his biggest score having been earned in the Dubai City of Gold (UAE-IIT) last March.

A field of six older horses went to post in the 12-furlong contest, with 2009 Idee Deutsches Derby (Ger-I) winner Wiener Walzer sent off as the even money favorite. The scratch of stablemate and intended pacesetter Steuben necessitated a change of tactics for the German Derby winner. Jockey Aries De Vries was forced to send Wiener Walzer directly to the lead at the start.

Longshot Burma Gold followed in second, while Campanologist traveled along comfortably in third under jockey Frankie Dettori. The top three remained unchanged through the early stages of the race, but Burma Gold began to fade and dropped out of contention before the field entered the home straight.

With two furlongs to run Wiener Walzer accelerated but couldn’t shake free of Campanologist, who drew alongside to challenge. The pair matched strides briefly until Campanologist found another gear and pulled away, crossing the wire first by three-quarters of a length.

Wiener Walzer held on strongly for second by a head over fellow German campaigner Quijano, who was just another head in front of Jukebox Jury.

The final time for the 12 furlongs was 2:33.04 over a course labeled good.

An ebullient Dettori told reporters after the race, “Campanologist is really tough and genuine and deserves his group I. He was in great form today."

Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, “He’s finally achieved his group I target. We have no firm plans but he is entered in all three remaining German group I's over this distance, so we may come back.”

Campanologist is a 5-year-old horse by Kingmambo out of Ring Of Music, by Sadler’s Wells. An unraced daughter of multiple champion and blue hen mare Glorious Song, Ring Of Music is a half-sister to Singspiel, Rahy, and Rakeen. Campanologist was bred in Kentucky by Darley.