Prydwen caps memorable weekend for George Scott with German St Leger success

Prydwen capped a memorable weekend for George Scott and Callum Shepherd when narrowly landing the Group 3 Deutsches St Leger on Sunday.

It was a second Group victory of the weekend for the trainer and jockey after Bay City Roller won the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

Prydwen followed up a success at Killarney last month at Dortmund, where he stayed on powerfully to deny Tres Rock Women by a short head. The William Muir and Chris Grassick-trained Go Daddy was a further two lengths back in third of the nine runners under Lewis Edmunds.

Scott said: "His owners Blue Starr Racing and Keith Breen have been huge supporters of mine through thick and thin, so to reward them with a win like this is incredibly special.

"That's his tenth win now. I get a huge thrill out of travelling horses and he was my first winner in Germany. 

"We felt he was a little bit exposed in the pool of horses he was running against in Britain, so we shouldered a huge weight at Killarney. As a result the handicapper stuck us up and it looked like this race fitted him really well."

On future targets, the trainer said: "We might have a look outside the box again. There are three races in Dubai in the carnival that we might be able to think about, but we could consider going to Australia with him early next year. We'll make a decision on that nearer the time."

Bay City Roller: winner of the Champagne Stakes on SaturdayCredit: John Grossick

On Saturday, Bay City Roller emerged as a 2,000 Guineas contender for the yard when completing a hat-trick in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes. 

"He's always been a very special horse and it's so nice to see him fulfil his potential," said Scott. "He's never going to be flashy but he's got an amazing temperament and constitution. Stiffer tests certainly await him but we're looking forward to them and I'm sure he'll keep improving.

"He's bred to go a good bit further so all options will be open next year. We'll concentrate now on the Futurity Trophy back at Doncaster. He'll get another furlong and will be more effective with some cut in the ground. I did talk about the Lagardere after the race, but we've shelved that idea. 

"He'll have one more run this season. He's also in the Dewhurst and if he was knocking the door down going into it, then we'll leave that option open, but if I was a betting man I'd say he'll be going to Doncaster for one more run this year."

Read more:

Give a little love for Bay City Roller – the Guineas possible the trainer told his owner he had to buy 

Sosie surges into Arc favouritism after upsetting odds-on Look De Vega in Prix Niel 

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