More Spanish Joy in Germany

First or second in seven career starts in Madrid, last term's Spanish champion 3-year-old colt and Listed Prix Millkom third Rodaballo (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was unbeaten in two prior starts this semester and bookended Spain's banner weekend in Germany with a narrow victory in Sunday's G2 88th Kronimus Oettingen Rennen over one mile at Baden-Baden. The Guillermo Arizkorreta trainee went postward for this first pattern-race start coming back off conditions scores at Madrid's La Zarzuela venue in April and June and raced seventh at the tail of a reduced field through the early fractions. Under the pump fanning wide with the pack into the straight, he powered forward to split G3 Fritz Henkel Stiftung-Rennen first and second Liberty London (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) and Jin Jin (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) approaching the final furlong and would not be denied under a late drive to outbob Jin Jin by pixels in a thrilling three-way tussle. The latter exacted a measure of revenge on Liberty London, who played her part in front of a packed crowd and finished a neck back in third, the trio 4 1/4 lengths clear of the remainder.

“We have won two Group races over the weekend and I can hardly believe it,” Arizkorreta told GaloppOnline. “Rodaballo has not had that many starts in his career and, after winning the biggest race in Madrid [Gran Premio Claudio Carudel], we considered alternatives in France and Germany. We decided on coming to Baden-Baden and I'm delighted it has worked out so well. I'll now have the chance to sit down in peace and then we will think about where we can continue with the horse.” Part-owner Angel Saenz added, “We have a syndicate of eight people involved in Rodaballo and four of them are celebrating here at the track today. I am also a co-owner of [Saturday's G3 Goldene Peitsche victrix] Kitty Marion, which was an amazing win, and we will never forget this weekend.”

Pedigree Notes

Rodaballo becomes the first stakes winner produced by G2 Premio Dormello runner-up Short Affair (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), herself a full-sister to Listed Quebec S. third Bon Spiel (GB) and a half to dual Listed Silver Cup placegetter Great Hall (GB) (Halling). The February-foaled bay is a half to the unraced 2-year-old filly Queen of York (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) and a yearling filly by Starspangledbanner (Aus). His second dam L'Affaire Monique (GB) (Machaivellian) is a winning full-sister to G2 Prix de Pomone victrix and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Whitewater Affair (GB), whose descendants include MG1SW G1 Dubai World Cup hero Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) and G1 Yasuda Kinen-winning sire Asakusa Den'en (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). L'Affaire Monique is also a half to MGSW G1 Premio Roma third Little Rock (GB) (Warning {GB}) and G3 Musidora S.-winning G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Short Skirt (GB) (Diktat {GB}). Descendants of Rodaballo's third dam Much Too Risky (GB) (Bustino {GB}) also include G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies-winning Japanese champion Robe Tissage (Jpn) (War Emblem).

Sunday, Baden-Baden, Germany
88TH KRONIMUS OETTINGEN RENNEN-G2, €65,000, Baden-Baden, 9-5, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:39.18, g/s.
1–RODABALLO (GB), 128, c, 4, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: Short Affair (GB) (GSP-Ity, $103,334), by Singspiel (Ire)
2nd Dam: L'Affaire Monique (Ire), by Machiavellian
3rd Dam: Much Too Risky (GB), by Bustino (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (21,000gns Ylg '18 TAOCT; 55,000gns 2yo '19 TATGNS). O-Pata Negra Racing CB; B-Aston House Stud (GB); T-Guillermo Arizkorreta Elosegui; J-Jose-Luis Martinez Tejera. €37,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 3yo Colt-Spa & SP-Fr, 9-5-3-1, €129,220. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Jin Jin (Ire), 128, m, 5, Canford Cliffs (Ire)–Josphiel (Ire), by Okawango. (€4,000 Ylg '17 GOFOCT). O-Sabine Goldberg; B-Nanallac Stud (IRE); T-Andreas Suborics. €14,400.
3–Liberty London (Ger), 125, m, 5, Maxios (GB)–Ledicea (GB), by Medicean (GB). O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (GER); T-Waldemar Hickst. €7,800.
Margins: SHD, NK, 4 1/4. Odds: 5.80, 1.80, 2.40.
Also Ran: Diadora (Ire), Flamingo Girl (Ger), Mythico (Fr), San Isidro (Ire). Scratched: Runnymede (GB), Zavaro (Ger), Novemba (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.