The Mariscottis’ Zavateri Edges National Stakes Thriller

[Wandering Eyes]

In a fairytale ending to one of the key stallion-making races of the season, the judge's photo showed the 35,000gns Without Parole colt Zavateri in front of the 450,000gns buy Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) at the culmination of Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh.

Having been 18-1 when swooping in Newmarket's G2 July Stakes and 8-1 when following up in Goodwood's G2 Vintage Stakes, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's Tattersalls October Book 2 bargain was 15-2 this time as Charles Bishop waited patiently for his effort in rear.

Showing his now-customary sharp acceleration to enter the fray, he looked to have put Ballydoyle's 10-11 favourite away at the furlong pole but was soon embroiled in a ding-dong tussle and had to be tough to prevail. At the line, there was a head separating the colts who started out at the two ends of the commercial spectrum, with Italy (Wootton Bassett) 2 1/2 lengths away in third.

“They've not been coming off the pace today and he was a long way back, but we said before it was up to Charlie–there was no plan and no pressure,” a relieved Eve Johnson Houghton said after learning that the stewards' inquiry into a late bump between the front pair had been resolved with no change to the outcome. “He's improving and improving and it'll be straight to the Dewhurst now. He wants further and as he matures he'll definitely want a mile.”

wins the National Stakes!

One heck of a result for Eve Johnson Houghton and Charlie Bishop pic.twitter.com/JVlCSaG76p

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2025

 

 

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