Group 2 winner Brave Emperor, brings up our 100th of the year.
Mon 13 Nov 2023
WINNER 100 OF 2023: BRAVE EMPEROR, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Luke Morris: The feature Group 2 'Premio Vittorio Di Capua' over 1,600m/1m at San Siro, Milan.
Drawn in 2, he was a stride slow at the start, but Luke rousted him along to settle on the rail in midfield. Moving into 3rd, as they came to the home bend, Luke pulled him out for his effort. It's a long home straight at San Siro and he took the lead with 2f to go, with the favourite, Poker Face trying to chase him down. But he found another gear and kept on strongly to draw clear and win readily, by a 4 length margin.
Watch the full race replay here: https://www.ippodromisnai.it/video/video-milano-galoppo/
Yes, he really has won a Conditions race on home soil, a Listed race in Cagnes-sur-Mer, three Group 3 races at Deauville, Dusseldorf and Krefeld and now a Group 2 in Milan - all in 2023! The £99,547 first prize takes his career earnings to £321,277 as well.
Timeform rated it as a career best 116 performance, with their comments to follow.
Luke told owners after the race: "We got a lovely lead into the race, but I found myself there a bit soon really, but he really stretched away and I thought it was an improved performance. He never lets anybody down and next year we can look at a step up in grade perhaps."
The Racing Post were straight on the phone to us and here's their story: https://www.racingpost.com/news/reports/champagne-and-risotto-all-round-as-middleham-park-make-it-100-wins-for-2023-at-san-siro-aJ7ZT1U7cWsM/
Syndicate manager Tom says: "We've been waiting to hit the 100 winners mark after 6 2nd places and what a way to do it, winning a Group 2! Brave Emperor just keeps on giving for his owners, taking them around Europe having a fine time. We must thank Luke Morris - travelling over just to ride him on many occasions and all credit to Archie and his team for a simply tremendous campaign this year. Congratulations to his syndicate on yet another day of celebrations! Hopefully there aren't too many sore heads in Milan this morning....”