England-based maiden Nayarra takes Premio Gran Criterium

Nayarra, the only transnational shipper in the race, captured the Group 1 Premio Gran Criterium by a half-length on Sunday at San Siro in Italy.

Nayarra, ridden to victory by Martin Dwyer and trained by Mick Channon, came into the Gran Criterium an eight-race maiden who had been mildly competitive with Group 3 types in England, but emerged victorious in a race worth a almost $400,000. He became the eighth consecutive England-based winner of Italy’s most important race for 2-year-olds.

Rose Englanteria finished second, while the previously unbeaten Vedelago was third. Nayarra, a Cape Cross filly, is owned by Prince Faisal.

Last year’s Gran Criterium winner, Biondetti, went on to finish fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but Nayarra probably has started for the last time this year, Channon said after the race.