Botti Upbeat With Grey Find Presage Nocturne

Italian trainer not ruling out late-maturing stayer in Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier

- Michael Lee

Spotting that next champion at a horse sale can often be taxing on both the eyes and the brain.

After weeks of pedigree analysis through dictionary-thick catalogues and palpating hundreds of legs at the inspection barn, they all start to look the same.

But, sometimes, all it takes is a simple sibling link to help narrow down your choices.

At the Arqana Mixed sale in February 2023, Alessandro Botti had such a light-bulb moment, which two years later has landed the Chantilly-based Italian trainer a shot at Group 1 glory on May 25.

Lot 4, a grey three-year-old, was ignored by bidders despite being a son of hot sire Wootton Bassett.

Botti, son of legendary Italian trainer Giuseppe, with whom he trains in partnership now, was not too taken either when the nonchalant specimen walked in, but then he saw the dam's name Kyurem.

"He was not very attractive at the time. But I had the chance of training his half-brother Titanium, who was very successful for us (six wins)," recalled Botti.

"That was why I looked at him differently from the others. He was unraced and was going to be broken in and pre-trained.