Schamyl triumphs in Stockholm Cup as Crown Board delivers for Chapple-Hyam

The four Black Type races on Sweden’s flagship international raceday produced winners from Sweden, Norway and Britain, with Lamborghini BF successfully defending his Bro Park Sprint Championship title and three-year-old Mehmas Air Force delivering a striking turn of foot in the Lanwades Stud Stakes.

But the afternoon belonged above all to Schamyl and trainer Jan-Erik Neuroth.

The five-year-old missed the whole of last season through injury, having established himself among Scandinavia’s leading horses as a three-year-old with victories in two Scandinavian Derbys and the Breeders’ Trophy Classic.

His comeback had already included victory in the Oslo Cup (L) this summer. At Bro Park he took another significant step, coming from the rear of the field to land the SEK 1 million Stockholm Cup International (Gr.3) over 2400 metres.

British challenger Claymore, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, took over the running from Double UX towards the end of the back straight, with War Socks and Optimus Bling also prominent.

Schamyl, meanwhile, was settled towards the back by Nicolaj Stott. As the field entered the home straight, last year’s winner Nastaria made her challenge on the inside, but Schamyl produced the stronger finish. He took command with around 300 metres remaining and went on to beat Nastaria, with War Socks third.

“Schamyl was very relaxed today and gave me everything I could ask of him,” said Stott, celebrating his first Stockholm Cup success. “When everything falls into place, this horse has so much ability and it takes a really good horse to beat him.”

For Jan-Erik Neuroth, the victory carried an additional significance. His father, Wido Neuroth, enjoyed numerous Stockholm Cup successes during his training career, including back-to-back victories in 2007 and 2008 with Schamyl’s sire Appel Au Maitre.

Jan-Erik Neuroth took over the stable two years ago and has now won the race for the first time as a trainer.

“Schamyl had a perfect trip today and with his long stride he settled the race really well in the home straight,” Neuroth said. “He is quite similar to his father; he really stays the distance and can cope with a strong pace without it taking too much out of him.

“We had to wait for more than a year to get Schamyl back on the racecourse. Without the great help from my father and the stable vet, he would never have been able to perform at this level. I never managed to win the Stockholm Cup as a jockey. Now I have done it as a trainer instead, and it feels absolutely fantastic.”

Crown Board delivers for Chapple-Hyam

There was British success earlier on the card when Crown Board and David Egan prevailed in a close finish to the SEK 550,000 Tattersalls Nickes Minneslöpning (L), run over 1600 metres on dirt.

The six-year-old, trained in Newmarket by Jane Chapple-Hyam, was positioned just behind the leaders before Egan moved him forward around the final bend. Crown Board took over early in the straight but had to work hard for the victory as locally trained Grandpa’s Prince emerged with a strong challenge on the inside.

Crown Board held on by half a length, with Lord Mountbatten a further ten lengths away in third.

“I’ve ridden at Bro Park twice before, but this is my first winner here,” Egan said. “It was a nice race for us today. I knew Crown Board would handle the dirt well and we quickly found a good position behind the leaders. Once he got to the front, he kept going strongly all the way to the line.”

It was also a first Bro Park victory for Chapple-Hyam, who has been a regular international visitor to Swedish racing.

“It was a really exciting finish today,” she said. “I have had a second place at Bro Park before, so it feels good to come back with a winner. Crown Board has previously raced on dirt in Dubai and on all-weather tracks at home in England. We will definitely be back next year.”

Chapple-Hyam was also represented by Claymore in the Stockholm Cup, where he finished fifth.

Lamborghini BF retains his sprint crown

Swedish sprint star Lamborghini BF successfully defended his title in the SEK 550,000 Bro Park Sprint Championship (L) over 1200 metres on turf.

Trained by Fredrik Reuterskiöld and ridden by Elione Chaves, the five-year-old settled behind the early leaders before Chaves moved him out approaching the home straight. Once in front, Lamborghini BF maintained his advantage to record his second consecutive victory in the race.

Ides Of March finished strongly to take second, with British challenger Washington Heights, trained by Kevin Ryan, third.

“Lamborghini BF is very quick and could easily have gone straight to the lead, but I tried to get him to settle behind the leaders,” Chaves said. “Then I let him go around the bend and he kept on really well in the straight.

“With his good performances in both England and Germany, this horse has shown that our horses can compete there as well.”

The victory added another Listed success to an international campaign for Lamborghini BF, who has been one of Scandinavia’s leading sprinters this season.

“He really enjoys travelling,” Reuterskiöld said. “He has had quite a long season, but so far he hasn’t shown any real signs of losing his form. We’ll take it one race at a time. Whatever happens, it will be fun to plan his future targets.”

Mehmas Air Force swoops late

The final Black Type contest of the afternoon went to Jägersro when Mehmas Air Force produced a powerful late run to win the SEK 550,000 Lanwades Stud Stakes (L) over 1600 metres on turf.

The three-year-old filly, trained by Lennart Reuterskiöld Jr for Stall Gransäter and ridden by Per-Anders Gråberg, had already shown her quality by winning the Norwegian 1000 Guineas earlier this season.

Gråberg settled her towards the rear as Irish Lioness established the early lead. Rather than committing early, he waited until the closing stages before asking Mehmas Air Force for her effort.

The response was immediate. She accelerated between horses in the straight and swept past her rivals to defeat Sunday Fudge.

“She is a fantastically professional filly who loves following other horses,” Gråberg said. “Today she had a tremendous turn of foot in the home straight.”

Reuterskiöld Jr revealed afterwards that the late challenge had been part of the plan.

“We have known for a long time that Mehmas Air Force has a good turn of foot,” he said. “Today I told Per-Anders not to start riding her until there were 350 metres left.

“She may run in the Stockholm Fillies & Mares Stakes in a month. Otherwise, we will see if we can find a suitable race for her on the Continent.”

Schamyl’s Group 3 victory and the three contrasting Listed winners brought an international Stockholm Cup Day to a close at Bro Park, with established Scandinavian stars, an emerging three-year-old and a successful British visitor all taking their share of the honours.