Schiaparelli Bags Gran Premio del Jockey Club

Hard-knocking Schiaparelli made it three group I wins in a row with a front-running victory in the Gran Premio del Jockey Club (Ity-I) at San Siro Oct. 14.

The 4-year-old chestnut was coming off an impressive win in Germany’s IVG Preis von Europa (Ger-I) in September. The victory marked the colt’s eighth win in 12 career starts.

Schiaparelli took the lead soon after the break under jockey Andrasch Starke. The pair set a moderate pace as they were tracked closely by Bussoni, Gimmy, and Champs Elysees. 

The order remained the same as the field entered the straightaway. Starke urged his mount on with a furlong left, and Schiaparelli responded, pulling away in the final yards to win comfortably by 1 3/4-lengths. Laverock, winner of this event last year, made a belated run on the outside under Frankie Dettori, but tired in the final strides to lose the second placing to Champs Elysees by 1 1/4-lengths.

Final time for the 12 furlongs was 2:28.5 over turf listed as good.

Trainer Peter Schiergen indicated that the son of Monsun could have one more start this year, in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) in December.

Schiaparelli is out of Sacarina, by Old Vic, and was bred in Germany by Gestut Karlshof. He is a full brother to fellow German classic winners Samum and Salve Regina.