There was a big weekend’s racing in Italy featuring the Group 2 Derby Italiano at Capannelle which was won by Crackerjack King (IRE). The son of Shamardal was a comfortable two length winner from Cazals (IRE), who is a son of Aussie Rules. Shamardal stands at Kildangan Stud in Kildare and he was siring his second Derby winner following Lope De Vegas’s victory in the French equivalent last year. Irish National Stud stallions also had a very successful weekend in Italy and enjoyed a stakes double courtesy of Spirit Quartz (IRE) in the Group 3 Premio Tudini and Tellovoi (IRE) in the Listed Premio Tullio Righetti. Spirit Quartz, bred by Ballygallon Stud is a son of the Irish National Stud’s flagship stallion Invincible Spirit who stands for a covering fee of €60,000. Invincible Spirit also sired his first Grade 1 winner over jumps last week when Spirit Of Adjisa landed the Cathal Ryan Memorial Champion Novice Hurdle for trainer Tim Vaughan. Tellovoi was bred in Ireland by Whisperview Trading and is by Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Indian Haven. He was sold as a foal in Goffs for €28,000.