Mythico provides Guineas glory for late stallion Adlerflug

Mythico provided Adlerflug with a posthumous Classic success after a polished effort in the Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen, the German 2,000 Guineas, at Cologne on Monday.

The impact of the loss of Gestut Schlenderhan's stallion in April is still to be truly absorbed as he had his best year to date in 2020, with In Swoop leading home an Adlerflug one-two in the German Derby. He went on to finish second in the Arc and is already looking a key contender for this year's renewal.

A German Derby winner himself, Adlerflug had previously sired a German Oaks scorer but had not made his mark in the domestic Guineas until the Jean-Pierre Carvalho-trained Mythico benefitted from a nicely-timed ride by Rene Piechulek.

Mythico had been third to Best Of Lips in the Preis des Winterfavoriten, a key German two-year-old race over course and distance, and second to that same rival in a recent prep race at Krefeld.

He made the decisive move with two furlongs remaining and lasted home a short head in front of Best Lightning, with Best Of Lips, who hit trouble in running at a vital time, staying on for third.

Mythico was bred by Dr Thomas Bretzger and races under his Stall TMB, having been bought back for €24,000 when offered by Haras d'Ombreville at Baden-Baden in 2019.

He is the third foal of Listed Monsun mare Madhyana, bought privately at Arqana for €26,000 in 2017 and a full-sister to Mythica, who ran in the German Oaks two years ago and achieved several Listed placings.

Read more

Mark Grant Q&A ahead of Arqana and Goresbridge breeze-up sales

Will Kinsey looking to the future with the rejuvenated Stormy Ireland

No limit to Jim Bolger's achievements with homebred one-two in Curragh Classic

Zaaki demolishes Group 1 field for rising star Annabel Neasham