Smart German performer Boscaccio to stand at Knockhouse Stud

Boscaccio, a Group 2-winning son of noted jumps influence Mount Nelson, will stand at Knockhouse Stud in County Kilkenny from next year.

National Hunt runners by Mount Nelson conceived at the sire’s original home of Newsells Park Stud included Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and Stayers’ Hurdle hero Penhill and smart sorts such as Get In The Queue, Havingagoodtime and Nelson’s Touch.

Mount Nelson covered large books of National Hunt mares for three seasons from 2017 to 2019 before his untimely death aged 15.

Boscaccio was bred by Gestut Fahrhof out of the winning Medicean mare Bianca De Medici, who hails from the immediate family of outstanding dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve.

He was trained by Christian Sprengel to win his first four races, including the Listed Grosser Preis der Hannoverschen Volksbank-Derby Trial by three lengths and the Oppenheim-Union-Rennen, a leading trial for the Deutsches Derby won by the likes of Network, Novellist and Sea The Moon in other years, in decisive fashion.

Boscaccio was sent off a short-priced favourite for the German Derby but suffered an injury in the race, which blunted his brilliance thereafter, although he did manage another success at Hoppegarten.

Luke Cummins of Belleville Bloodstock, which completed the deal to stand Boscaccio at Knockhouse Stud, said: "The horse stands at 16.3 hands and he has plenty of bone, but he’s also a very athletic individual with fantastic movement and a great walk.

"He’s just a beautiful looking horse, a great mover and a fantastic racehorse who was unlucky at a critical point in his career. We couldn't be more excited to have him and we’re looking forward to next year and the years to come.

"He’s by a sire that we believe is going to be very successful when his first Irish crop hits the tracks in the spring as four-year-olds. Mount Nelson got some lovely types and his foals and stores have been very popular in the sales ring, and they look as though they should go on and do it on the track too.

"Boscaccio looks sure to pass on his great looks, size and ability, but also his wonderful attitude and determination, which he showed by coming back from injury to win again."

Cummins added that Boscaccio is due to come in for significant home support.

"He’s owned by a syndicate, which includes myself, and we have purchased a good number of mares either at public auction or privately to visit him next year. They’re spearheaded by the exciting mare Shama’s Crown, an 85-rated daughter of Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Classic Park, so a sister to Coolmore’s leading National Hunt sire Walk In The Park."

Boscaccio will stand as Sean Kinsella’s Knockhouse Stud with his fee on application.

"We find Sean to be both a gentleman and a true horseman and couldn’t be happier that Boscaccio is standing there at a stud in the south-east," said Cummins.

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