HORSES bred in Ireland carried off both the Italian 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas at the Capannelle in Rome on Sunday.

The two ‘classics’ are Group 3 affairs and both races attracted double-figure fields despite the financial problems that have affected Italian racing in recent years.

However, there were no foreign runners and the two events were won by horses trained by Stefano Botti for owners Scuderia Effevi. It was the first time the double has been completed since 1990 when owner Antonio Balzarini did it with Candy Glen (trainer by Chris Wall) and Atoll (Barry Hills).

CONNECTIONS

The Lope De Vega colt Hero Look gave connections their first win in the colts’ classic, the Premio Parioli. Bred by Kilfrush Stud in Co Limerick, the winner was bought at the DBS Breeze-Up Sales for £62,000 (consigned by Norman and Janet Williamson’s Oak Tree Farm) and won a Group 2 race at San Siro last season.

Sent off at odds-on last Sunday, Hero Look ran out a comfortable one and a half length winner under Fabio Branca. He could run next in either the French or German equivalent.

Sound Of Freedom was even more impressive in the Premio Regina Elena (1000 Guineas), the Duke Of Marmalade filly scoring by four lengths, again at odds-on but this winner was ridden by Cristian Demuro.

HOMEBRED

Though foaled in Ireland, the winner is ‘homebred’ and is the third Italian blacktype winner for her Invincible Spirit dam.

Interestingly, Sound Of Freedom could be aimed at the Italian Derby as connections have another filly, Wordless (by Rock Of Gibraltar) lined up for the Oaks d’Italia.