A lot of terrible things have changed in the Italian livestock world since Nearco (Ity) was bred in 1935 by the legendary Federico Tesio. Pharos (GB) colt’s faultless 14-race career, which included victories in the Derby Italiano and Grand Prix de Paris, led to his sale, at the height of the Second World War, to standing in England at Beech House Stud, where a bomb shelter has been built to ensure his safety.
It proved to be a precaution worth taking. As Nearctic’s courtier and grandson of the Northern Dancer, Nearco’s influence on the breed is profound, even as his home country’s Purebred heritage has sadly waned over the years. that time. His breeder famously uttered the words that fans of the world’s most famous Classic line cling to in what sometimes feels futile in the hope that its own meaning will endure.
“The purebred exists because its choice depends, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning column of the Epsom Derby,” Tesio criticized. .
Then he’ll probably appreciate the fact that Nearco’s fifth-generation male descendant, 2013 Derby winner, Ruler Of The World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), recently arrived in Tuscany. to continue her nursing career at the family Cipriani Allevamenti della Berardenga, also known as Scuderia Andy Cap.
The beautiful hybrid son of the mare Kingmambo Love Me True counted the Duke of Marmalade (Ire) (Danehill) among his four black siblings, and selected the four-time Group / 1st place winner Iridessa ( Ire) in his first case. His 3-year-old daughter, La Petite Coco (Ire) is also a highlight this season, having won four of six starts, including G2 Blandford S. and G3 Give Thanks S.
If recent activity on the farm near Siena goes through, Ruler Of The World could find himself quite busy in early 2022. He replaces Classic winner and Galileo’s son, Magician (Ire). ), who set an Italian Record covering 134 mares at the ranch last year before returning to Ireland to stand in Meelin Stud.
Bloodstock agent Marco Bozzi will manage the stallion along with his partners Guido Berardelli and Mattia Cadrobbi, all related to the Magician. Cadrobbi was appointed president of the Italian Association of Breeders (ANAC) in March but he will step down after Saturday’s election, although he remains on the board. Rome-based Bozzi and Berardelli have been working together for 28 years and founded Italian Thoroughbred and Hound Sales (ITS), which recently ended its partnership with fellow Italian salesman is the SGA.
Explaining the reason for Ruler Of The World to move to Italy, Bozzi said, “In the past, we have stood College Chapel (GB), Deportivo (GB), King Charlemagne (Ire), and then we had distance for a long time. Coolmore wanted to relocate to Requestinto (Ire) so we took him, and he went very well. After Requestinto was moved to Saudi Arabia, we had a chance to have Magician last year and he was very popular. ”
He continued, “The Magician was then asked to go back to Ireland and we needed some more horses. I have a good relationship with Haras de Bouquetot, and Benoit [Jeffroy] recommended to me Ruler Of The World. This is very good for Italy having a Derby win, and being the winner of Group 1. He is a great looking horse with a great pedigree and we have taken great care of him. nominations. La Petite Coco beat Love last time and is continuing to practice. ”
Ruler Of The World is not the only newcomer to the Allevamenti della Berardenga for the 2022 season, as he will be joined this weekend by Cappella Sansevero (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who moved to Italy after six season in Ireland under Michael Orlando’s Compas Stallions Banner.
Bozzi said: “Ruler Of The World was a stay-in and we needed something with a little bit of speed. “I don’t know Michael Orlando but he is of Italian descent and he invited us to Cappella Sansevero, who has had 70 ponies this year. I think we can get at least 50 or 60 mares. He’s from Showcasing and he’s an outlier. ”
The Magician’s book of mares 2021 is not far from 25% of the entire population in Italy, a number down from about 1,700 just a decade ago. However, the steed rank has also been boosted this year with the arrival of Shadwell duo Markaz (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Adaay (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}).
Siena is better known for another form of horse racing as the historic home of Palio, and for those who send their mares to the ranch run by Melissa Cipriani, there are some unusual incentives. Located less than an hour from Florence and less than two hours from Pisa and Rome, that beautiful area of Tuscany is not only home to a number of breeders but also some famous names.
“There are lovely old villas and vineyards around the vineyards,” says Bozzi. Sting and Leonard DiCaprio have villas nearby and it’s a nice area. Some Palio jockeys are my clients and they have mares. ”
He adds, “Many breeders bring their mares and then spend a long weekend locally. Siena is never too cold – it has a perfect microclimate for mares. It’s an area that includes a lot of breeders and that’s why it’s a great place to raise a stallion.”
