Aspetar breaks through at top level in Preis von Europa for Charlton and Watson

Roger Charlton and Jason Watson celebrated their first Group 1 together as Aspetar strode clear in fine style to land the Preis von Europa by two and a half lengths at Cologne.

Always close to the pace, Watson produced his mount to pick things up as the race developed with the front-running Royal Youmzain fading out of contention. German challengers Amorella and Donjah were second and third.

Further British interest came from the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Best Solution – who already had two German Group 1s to his name – and the Mark Johnston-trained Communique, but neither were able to feature in the finish and both were well beaten.

Aspetar was last seen finishing fourth to Coronet in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and has been an improved performer this season. The victory was also a first at the top level for his subfertile sire Al Kazeem, who was a four-time Group 1 winner for Charlton.

The victory marked the second Group 1 in Watson's career following God Given's Italian triumph over Nyaleti in the Premio Lydia Tesio Sisal Matchpoint at Capannelle last year.

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