Showing resilience to bounce back from a tough assignment in Doncaster's G1 Racing Post Trophy eight days previously, Johannes Vermeer proved a hardy customer once again when coming out on top in this end-of-term test of attrition. Improving off a debut third at an extended seven-furlong trip at Tipperary July 11 to win over a furlong further at Killarney Aug. 19, the bay had annexed the G3 Golden Fleece S. at a mile at Leopardstown Sept. 12 before staying at that trip to be fourth in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp Oct. 4 and second in the Racing Post Trophy. Settled in fourth early by Ryan Moore, he was pushed along as the field crossed to the stand's side at the top of the stretch and responded by gaining a slight lead with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. Digging in as the British raider Stormy Antarctic threw down a stern challenge, the Ballydoyle representative was always winning that battle with stamina coming into play. Mathieu Legars, Coolmore's representative in France, said, “He has been quite busy, but was doing well and Aidan said even though he only ran last week he was quite fresh and ready to go again. It worked out nicely and he is now a genuine Group 1 winner, so we will wait for next season.”
Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France
CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL-G1, €250,000, SCD, 11-1, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:30.15, vsf.
1–&JOHANNES VERMEER (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Inca Princess (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miletrian (Ire), by Marju (Ire)
3rd Dam: Warg (GB), by Dancing Brave
(€300,000 Ylg '14 GOFORB). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Teo Ah Khing; B-Desert Star Phoenix JVC (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €142,850. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, 6-3-1-1, €288,346. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Stormy Antarctic (GB), 126, c, 2, Stormy Atlantic–Bea Remembered (GB), by Doyen (Ire). (68,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; 200,000gns 2yo '15 TATBRE). O-Pak Kwan Siu; B-East Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Ed Walker. €57,150.
3–Attendu (Fr), 126, c, 2, Acclamation (GB)–Gwenseb (Fr), by Green Tune. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €28,575.
Margins: HD, 1HF, 1. Odds: 2.50, 30.10, 13.10.
Also Ran: Donjuan Triumphant (Ire), No Education (GB), Tashweeq (Ire), Almanzor (Fr), Scrutineer (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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