Group Double for Holy Roman Emperor

Mark Smith - Sunday July 21

What a shame Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) will not be returning to Aquis Farm this year as he had a red-letter day at The Curragh on Saturday with Romanised winning the Group II Minstrel Stakes while the 2yo colt Roman Turbo keeping his record at a perfect two for two in the Group III Anglesey Stakes.

Romanised was winning for the first time since his surprise defeat of US Navy Flag in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas a year ago.

Ridden by Billy Lee for trainer Ken Condon, Romanised came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the favourite Hey Gaman (New Approach) by a length with Safe Voyage (Fast Company) half a length back in third.

"It's lovely to see that. He's been in good shape this year," Condon told Sporting Life.

"He had two lovely runs in Group One company (this season) and appreciated dropping in grade. Billy was delighted with him and said when the gap came he quickened up very smartly.

"He said when he got to the front he was always just doing enough. He's gone very professional this year, more relaxed and easier to deal with. I thought it was a lovely performance.

Advertisement

"I'm pleased because you are nearly on a hiding to nothing, you're nearly expected to win and you'd be hoping that it works out like that, but it rarely does in racing.

"He'll come out of the race well and he'll go the Jacques le Marois next."

A three-quarter brother to the 2013 and 2014 Hong Kong Horse Of The Year, Designs On Rome (Holy Roman Emperor), Romanised is one of three stakes-winners out of the Indian Ridge mare Romantic Venture after Group III winner Rock Of Romance (Rock Of Gibraltar) and dual Listed winner Fictional Account (Stravinsky).

While Romanised seems to have miraculously evaded the clutches of Hong Kong, it may be a different story for Roman Turbo (image Sporting Life).


The Michael Halford-trained colt defeatedStarspangledbanner's daughter Lil Grey by three-quarters of a length in the Group III Anglesey Stakes.

Roman Turbo was coming off a maiden win at his career debut at Kildare three weeks previously.

"We are never particularly hard on the two-year-olds at home, but we'd knew he'd come forward," said Halford.

"Ronan (Whelan) sat on him at the Curragh the other morning and said he felt great. We said we'd find out more here.

"He's a smart horse, very professional. He just jumps and is very straightforward. He's coming forward well.

"He wasn't in any of the big races so we'll have to talk to his owner and see what he has in mind for him.

"I'd say long-term he'll probably end up in Hong Kong."

The 81ststakes-winner or Holy Roman Emperor (IRE), Roam Turbo is a half-brother to the Listed Moonee Valley Night Cup and Listed MRC (Mornington) Harry White Classic winner Swacadelic (Adlerflug) out of an unraced sister to the 4-time Group 1 winner Shirocco (Monsun).

Holy Roman Emperor (image Mark Smith ) has 85 rising two-year-olds and 50 rising yearlings. The dual Group 1 winning son of Danehill covered 67 mares at Aquis Farm last spring.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Debut 2YO Winner for Brutal
Fresh from siring a smart metro winner at Sandown on Wednesday in Brutalina, Brutal was in the frame at Scone on Friday where Brett Cavanough unleashed a promising two year-old debut winner in Bird Whistle.
Willydoit Data Surprise - Sprinter or Stayer?
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit.
Wathnan Racing Swoop - Quai de Bethune Eclipses July Sale Record 775,000 Guineas
The Tattersalls July Sale concluded in spectacular fashion with QUAI DE BETHUNE selling for a record 775,000 guineas and the Busuttin Young stable also picked up lightly raced 3YO TIME ALLOWED for Australia.
Melbourne Racing Club Unveils Major Spring Racing Enhancements
Racing Victoria has confirmed prize money allocations for the 2025-2026 season and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced some exciting race program changes and prizemoney increases that, together with other great initiatives at Flemington and Moonee Valley, reinforce the position of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival at the forefront of international racing.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 11
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Godolphin Draft Headlines Huge Inglis Digital July (Early)
A 26-strong Godolphin draft, a G1 placed 3YO with credentials for the $10m Golden Eagle and shares in multiple other G1 performers including dual G1 winner Overpass headline a huge catalogue for the Inglis Digital July (Early) Online Sale.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Spring racing is just around the corner and a busy set of trials at Randwick on Friday featured eight heats won by juveniles with winners including stakes horses The Playwright and Cobra Club as well as unraced youngsters by Justify (USA), I Am Invincible and Flying Artie.
Duca Valentinois Captures Mumm Stakes in a Thriller
In a slogging finish to Saturday's Listed GH Mumm Stakes (1820m) at Eagle Farm, Godolphin's import Duca Valentinois (IRE) earned his first win in over a year.
Bred to Be Better at Three
Andrew Campbell will unveil another exciting youngster at Hawera on Saturday when two-year-old gelding Valvano makes his debut in the Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m).
One to Watch – Sha Tin
A full brother to a Group I winner, this promising two year-old has won two of three starts and appears to have many more wins in store.