Castelvecchio celebrates his first stakeswinner
Dual Group 1 winner Castelvecchio is now on the board as a Group-siring stallion. (PHOTO: Joan Faras)
Six months ago El Castello gave early notice of his talent when he was runner-up to subsequent Champion 2YO Broadsiding in the Fernhill Mile LR.
Now, after a scintillating victory in the $500,000 ATC Gloaming S. 1800m G3, he is Castelvecchio’s first stakeswinner, and trainer Anthony Cummings is confident there is more success ahead of him.
“All of these runs have been like a training gallop towards the Spring Champion. He’ll be better over 2000 metres and even better again in Melbourne.” Cummings won the the 2012 Victoria Derby G1 with El Castello’s relative Fiveandahalfstar.
The stable sent out a second winner by Castelvecchio on Saturday, the filly Motoscafo who scored in good style over 1200m at Kembla Grange. She is nominated for the Thousand Guineas G1 on 16 November.
Castelvecchio is now 4th on the current Australian Second Season Sires’ table with 6 winners, another stakes performer (Comanche Miss) and $604,000 prizemoney.
El Castello strings together three wins in a row and wins the G3 TAB Gloaming Stakes for Josh Parr and @ACummingsracing!@aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/yj5en5VxT3
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2024
Jockey Josh Parr, who also rode Castelvecchio in 3 of his four victories, including the Champagne S. G1, echoed Anthony Cummings’ comments on El Castello’s performance.
“He travelled really nicely in a beautiful position and showed a turn of foot that was obviously unparalleled. I’m very pleased with him. He’s just taken the natural progression each time I’ve sat on him…He’s got the perfect temperament for the 2000 metres and then possibly the Derby trip.”
Bred by Brendan Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, El Castello is the second foal of Word Games (by Fastnet Rock), a city-winning half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Fiveandahalfstar. This is the distinguished Princess Patine family of Group 1 winners Captivate, Cross Swords, Culminate, Eileen Dubh, Gallic, Jon Snow, Master O’Reilly, Savaria, Soliloquy & Solveig.
El Castello was offered by Cambridge Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, where he was purchased by his trainer for $220,000.
