A CROWD of 10,000 turned out at the Capannelle in Rome on Monday to see the Irish-bred Anda Muchacho win the Group 3 Premio Parioli, known as the Italian 2000 Guineas.

Bred by Thomas Hassett, the Helmet colt was sold for 18,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2) and last May he was consigned to the Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale by Tom Whitehead’s Powerstown Stud where he was snapped up by Marco Bozzi for €26,000.

The winner only made his racecourse debut in March of this year and won a maiden and listed race (both at Milan) prior to Sunday’s triumph.

He is out of the unraced Shamardal mare, Montefino, whose first foal was the Group 3-placed juvenile Parsley. Montefino is a daughter of Group 2 winner Monturani and granddaughter of Mezzogiorno, who was placed in both the Epsom and Yorkshire Oaks.

Monday’s race was a cracking affair. Frankie Dettori looked to have it in the bag when taking up the running aboard Patriot Hero two furlongs out but he was caught close home by the Dario Vargiu-ridden winner.

Anda Muchacho is officially trained under the Il Cavallo In Testa banner, a partnership between Micol Borgato and Bruno Grizzetti. The colt will step up in trip for the Derby Italiano on May 21st.

The Group 3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) saw a field of 15 fillies go to post and it too produced a close finish with Mi Raccomando holding off Lady Ramon by a short-neck.

Trained by Stefano Botti and ridden by Fabio Branca, the winner is a British-bred daughter of Poet’s Voice.