Jan Vermeer led from the start to post an upset victory over Emerald Commander in the Criterium International (Fr-I) at Saint-Cloud Nov. 1.
Considered to be trainer Aidan O’Brien’s second-string, Jan Vermeer broke sharply under Colm O’Donoghue and never looked back, relishing the soft going and eventually crossing under the wire four lengths in front of Godolphin’s Emerald Commander.
Previously undefeated filly Rosanara, winner of the Total Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (Fr-I) got up for third, another 1 1/2 lengths behind Emerald Commander.
Final time for the one-mile contest was 1:45.60 over the very soft going.
Jan Vermeer became the third group I-winning 2-year-old this season for O’Brien, who also trains Beethoven (Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes) and St Nicholas Abbey (Racing Post Trophy Stakes).
Jan Vermeer is by Montjeu out of the winning Pennekamp mare, Shadow Song. He hails from the female family of Prix de L'Abbaye de Longchamp (Fr-I) winner Imperial Beauty, and multiple graded stakes winners Midnight Line and Midnight Air.
Jan Vermeer was bred in Ireland by the Shadow Song Syndicate, and is owned by the partnership of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier.
