Bay City Roller puts George Scott and Victorious Forever in Group 1 spotlight to open up big possibilities for 2026

George Scott and Victorious Forever celebrated a second Group 1 success in the space of five weeks as Bay City Roller pulled seven lengths clear of his rivals to dominate the Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern at Munich. 

The three-year-old was swiftly sent into the lead by rider Adrie de Vries and it was not long before victory looked assured as he powered relentlessly clear of his rivals in the final two furlongs.

"It all just came together perfectly today and he was able to show just how good he is," said Scott, who landed his first Group 1 event when sending out Caballo De Mar to win the Prix du Cadran at the start of October. 

"Fundamentally he stays very well and he loves to get his toe in. I think we’ve properly worked him out now. We know what's required of him next year and how to ride him and that will help us map out a season of Group 1s accordingly."

• WATCH: full replay of Bay City Roller's German Group 1 win

Bay City Roller won a Group 2 as a juvenile but has put in a mix of runs at three. He chased home the subsequent Arc winner Daryz at Saint-Cloud in June and was only narrowly denied in the Prix Niel by Cualificar in September, but also underperformed on several occasions. 

"He relishes some cut in the ground and there have been times when he’s slightly missed the break," said Scott. "But today I felt he looked the best he’s looked and that’s credit to everyone at home for keeping him in such good form for the duration of the year. He has a really bright future and he’s so well bred."

Victorious Forever represents two strands of the Bahraini royal family, and Scott praised the team's willingness to give Bay City Roller a first crack at Group 1 company so late in the season.

"For Victorious Forever, a young operation, these horses are just so hard to find and I’m just so pleased to have him," said Scott. "When I rang Shaikh Nasser and said that although this horse has had three runs quite quickly, I’d really love to go to Germany and that he was still in great shape, he said, 'Absolutely, just go for it'."

Bay City Roller clears away from Tiffany in the Group 1 Grosser Allianz Preis von BayernCredit: Marc Ruhl/Deutscher Galopp

Reflecting on his stable's end-of-season Group 1 fireworks, Scott said: "I felt we were trying to pull together a team of horses and staff and owners that were ready to perform at the top level, but the season was drawing on and I felt like it might be slipping through my fingers.

"To go and win a couple of Group 1s is so special. In an industry which is dominated by the big operations, it's important for the younger teams to make their mark."

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