God Given reads script as retiring Cumani lands last Group 1 in homeland

Report: Italy, Sunday

Capannelle: Premio Lydia Tesio Sisal Matchpoint (Group 1)1m2f | turf | 3yo f/m

Luca Cumani, whose wonderful training career will come to an end next month, enjoyed a fairytale farewell big-race win when landed Italy's only Group 1 of the season, and the trainer's 50th in his career, under British champion apprentice Jason Watson.

Cumani, one of Flat racing's most respected and admired operators, last month announced that after 43 years of training racehorses he was quitting to focus on his successful Fittocks Stud business.

Had he been able to pen the final pages of his career, a top-level triumph in his homeland would likely have been among the dream scenarios.

It became reality when Watson and God Given repelled the Mark Johnston-trained Nyaleti in the Premio Lydia Tesio at Capannelle, with the Archie Watson-trained Snowy Winter completing a clean sweep for British runners in third.

Luca Cumani gives his wife Sara a kiss following their success with God GivenCredit: Stefano Grasso

It was an emotional outcome for Cumani, whose Derby triumphs with Kahyasi in 1988 and High-Rise ten years later punctuate a stellar CV crammed with major prizes from around the globe.

Capannelle result

Speaking in a taxi on his way back to the airport, he said: "I'm chuffed to bits. It was really exciting. My first Group 1 winner was in Rome in the Italian Derby with Old Country and my last has been in Rome again – you couldn't have written or dreamed it.

"When she crossed the line in front a tear came into my eye. It's fantastic, I was born lucky."

The 69-year-old Milan native had joked the banker of the day was a good lunch in Rome, and he added: "We got that as well. It's been a marvellous day.

"We've still got a handful for the all-weather, but everything will stop on December 1."

God Given (near) fends off Nyaleti with Snowy Winter in third - a British 1-2-3Credit: Stefano Grasso

A daughter of Nathaniel and half-brother to the Newmarket trainer's King George hero Postponed, God Given, who heads to the breeding barns, landed Haydock's Pinnacle Stakes and the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September before finishing a creditable sixth in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last month.

She was the first horse owner-breeder Andrew Stone sent to Cumani's Bedford House stables, and his interest came the day after Sheikh Mohammed Obaid removed Postponed and his other horses from the yard.

Her victory in the 1m2f Lydia Tesio, which Cumani won with Papering in 1997 and Zomaradah two years later, was her first at Group 1 level.

"The trip was a bit short for her but luckily the ground was very soft after a lot of rain, which put stamina to the test," added Cumani.

"She came into her own because it was more like a mile and a half race. That's it for her now and she's got her Group 1 to go with her Group 2 and a couple of Group 3s. She's got the pedigree, and the looks – she's got everything."

A first for Watson

It was also rising star Watson's breakthrough success at the highest level.

"He's definitely going places and is a really nice kid," continued Cumani, who mentored champion apprentices Jimmy Fortune, Jason Weaver and Frankie Dettori, among others.

"Jason's well brought up, very well mannered and rides beautifully. He's my tip for the top."

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