The Darley stallions recorded their fourth European Classic winner of the season, when Lope de Vega romped to victory in the Group 1 Poule D’Essai Des Poulains at Longchamp, on Sunday, emulating his sire Shamardal who won this contest five years earlier.

Settled off the pace, the Andre Fabre-trained colt was asked to quicken with two furlongs left to run and taking the lead inside the final furlong, outbattled Dick Turpin to win impressively.

The second-placed horse was last seen finishing in the same spot behind Dubawi’s son Makfi in the English 2,000 Guineas earlier this month. Dubawi is also sire this year of dual Italian Classic winner Worthadd, who added the Derby Italiano to his Guineas victory just last weekend.

Lope de Vega has finished out of the first three just once in five starts, having won twice as a juvenile before returning this year with a close-up third in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleu on 25 April.

Owned and bred by Gestut Ammerland, he is out of the Group 3 winner Lady Vettori, also dam of another Group winner in Bal De La Rose (by Cadeaux Genereux). Lady Vettori has been covered by Shamardal again this year.

Tags: Darley, Group I
Permalink| May 18, 2010

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