Son Of Sioux Nation Records Third Group Victory

Brave Emperor (3g Sioux Nation - Roman Gal, by Holy Roman Emperor) continued a fruitful season when justifying favouritism in the Group 3 Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt Dusseldorf on Sunday.

Archie Watson’s charge was last seen finishing a gallant second in a Group 2 at Baden-Baden, having previously won Group 3 contests at Deauville and Krefeld, as well as a Listed race at Cagnes. Ridden by regular rider Luke Morris at Dusseldorf, the bay chased the leader for much of the way and was shaken up approaching the two furlong pole. Running on well, he led a furlong later and kept on to score by three parts of a length, with another length back to last year’s winner Aemilianus (Holy Roman Emperor) in third.

“We had the perfect trip throughout,” said Morris after the race. “My fellow is a very tough horse and he’s had a fantastic year.” On the possibility of further travels, he added, “There’s a Group 2 and a Group 3 in Italy, so he could go there. I think he has now run out of options in Germany this season, but I’m sure he’ll be back next year.”

Brave Emperor’s eighth career win took his earnings past the €250,000 mark for owner Middleham Park Racing. Placed on all but one of his other starts, the ultra-consistent bay was bred by Caroline Hanly and Sean Ronan. He hails from the first crop of Sioux Nation, for whom he is one of eight individual Group winners and 23 Stakes performers.