Andreas Vesalius Leads Home Caravaggio Exacta at Naas

It was a second winner in a little over 24 hours for Caravaggio when Andreas Vesalius (2c Caravaggio x Vitello, by Raven’s Pass) led home an exacta for his sire over Silver Surfer (2c Caravaggio x Riskit For a Biskit, by Kodiac).

Racing over five furlongs at Naas for trainer Joseph O’Brien in the Coolmore Stud Calyx Race, Andreas Vesalius was easy to spot as the light gray went straight to the lead. Followed closely by Silver Surfer, the pair had a few lengths on the field with Andreas Vesalius traveling the best of the pair.

Silver Surfer tried to stay with the leader but Andreas Vesalius was traveling too well and he extended his lead in the final furlong to win by 1 ¾ lengths with the third place runner three lengths behind Silver Surfer.

Owned by Paul Redmond and T G Fitzgerald, the colt has proven to be a hardy runner with three races since April 25.

“He’s a sweet horse, a lovely temperament and the most laid-back horse you will get,” said assistant trainer Brendan Powell to Irishracing.com. “Dylan said he could go for a Listed race. He’s tough and will cope with most types of ground. That’s our first two-year-old winner and I think we have only run about three.”

Bred by Biddestone Stud, the colt is the second foal for Blenheim Stakes fourth Vitello, who is out of the stakes-placed Vitoria. A pedigree with worldwide stakes form, Andreas Vesalius sees Turkish champion Pershing, Paris stakes winner Ghyraan, and Australian Group III winner Deira among the stakes horses on his page.

Andreas Vesalius's dam Vitello had a filly by Ten Sovereigns this year.

Caravaggio has a firm lead on the North American freshman sire table by winners with his six winners four better than any other freshman on the continent. Looking to be well represented at next month’s Royal Ascot meet, Caravaggio also has the second most winners of any Northern Hemisphere freshman sire.