Saxon Warrior Colt Proves Cut Above In Group 2 Derby Italiano

Borna (3c Saxon Warrior – Kingdom Come, by King’s Best) will seek to complete a European Classic double after running out an impressive winner of the Group 2 Derby Italiano on Sunday.

The Markus Klug-trained raider finished second in the Group 2 Gran Criterium at the end of last season and returned a month ago to win his trial. Partnered by Andrasch Starke at Capannelle, the bay raced prominently throughout and was asked to challenge two furlongs from home. Soon in front, he went on to beat British raider Royal Supremacy by two and a half lengths comfortably.

“What a tremendous performance,” Starke said after the race. “He was looking around a little bit but he had the answer. I was quite impressed.”

Borna is owned by Darius Racing, whose racing manager Holger Faust commented, “We were confident before the race and he won decisively. The Derby Italiano was his first major target this season and now he will go to the Deutsches Derby.”

Success in the €640,200 contest marked a third win from five career starts for Borna. Bred by Hatas d’Ecouves, he hails from the second crop of Saxon Warrior.