The arena was abuzz with excitement as Roberto Biondi's Wild Card JUAN DE MONTALBAN, runner-up in the Derby Italiano (Gr.2) this season, entered the ring. After a long battle, it was English trainer David O'Meara and his assistant Jason Kelly that finally had the last word for the son of Lope de Vega offered by The Channel Consignment.

We’ve bought him for Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah, qui who is a longstanding client, said David O’Meara. He’s a lovely looking horse. I think he still has a lot of room to improve, and hasn’t yet shown us everything he is capable of.

©Zuzanna Lupa