A CLASSIC winner is a classic winner and Sonia Rogers and her great friend Kirsten Rausing combined to land the Polish Derby on Sunday. Va Bank – named in honour of a famous Polish movie – took the honours when the Irish-bred three-year-old beat two other Irish-breds to land the prize.

A son of Archipenko, Va Bank was purchased by Bobby O’Ryan at the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale two years ago for just €4,500 and this win extended his unbeaten run to six, which also included the Polish 2000 Guineas. The first three in the race were all signed for by O’Ryan at the sale, with the runner-up Sorento (by Echo Of Light) realising €7,500 and the third home, Masterpower (by Mastercraftsman) being sold for €12,000 by his breeder Denis Brosnan.

Va Bank is the first foal out of the unraced Dilshaan mare Vinales and her siblings include the dam of Equiano. Vinales was then covered by Jeremy and sold to De Burgh Equine for €4,800 at the Goffs November Sale in 2012.

On the same day the Aussie Rules three-year-old Quelindo, a German-bred son of the Lanwades stallion, captured the Hungarian Derby and he remains unbeaten this season. He also won the 2000 Guineas in Hungary and has more than justified his €9,000 sale price as a yearling at BBAG.