by Franco Raimondi

Schiaparelli, winner of the 2006 BMW Deutches Derby (Ger-G1) (German Derby), punched the ticket for his first race abroad with a game win in the IVG Preis von Europa (Ger-G1) on Sunday at Cologne.

“Schiaparelli will run in the Premio del Jockey Club (Ity-G1) in three weeks at San Siro,” winning trainer Peter Schiergen said. “I’m very happy with him and I hope he will stay in training next year.”

Schiaparelli stalked a fast pace set by Ioannina in the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) race and began his winning move on the final turn under a well-timed ride by Andrasch Starke.

The 6-to-5 favorite seized command with about 300 meters remaining and ran on strongly to prevail in 2:29.70 on turf rated as good.

Runner-up Poseidon Adventure rallied from the back of the pack to nip game pacesetter Ioanina, a four-year-old Rainbow Quest filly owned by Gestut Schlenderhan.

“Our goal was a Group 1 place, and she ran a strong race,” said Paul Harley, racing manager of Gestut Schlenderhan. “She will go for the Prix de Royallieu [Lucien Barriere (Fr-G2) at Longchamp], a Group 2 race over 2,500 meters.”

Schiaparelli scored his fourth career Group 1 win and third this season for owner Stall Blankenese. A full brother to German classic winners Samum and Salve Regina, Schiaparelli is out of the Old Vic mare Sacarina, Germany’s broodmare of the year in 2002 and ‘06.

Franco Raimondi is a Europe-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent