WITH the outstanding Annie Power among a number of early stars for Shirocco under National Hunt rules, it is all too easy to overlook his prowess as a flat sire. He served a timely reminder of his ability in that code when his son, Windstoss, won the Group 1 German Derby last weekend, building on an earlier victory in a trial.

In winning Germany’s premier classic, Windstoss joins the Irish St Leger winner Brown Panther, Brazilian Group 1 winners Calendula, January Jones, Pateo Do Batel and Some In Tieme, Group 1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Wild Coco and Group 2 winners Barcelona, Grand Vent and Arrigo as one of the best runners on the level for Shirocco.