Capezzano loves Meydan!

Bernardini gelding registers career win number six at the Dubai oval

Bernardini's son Capezzano pulled away in the stretch to win the G3 Firebreak Stakes in record-breaking fashion as he stopped the clock in a new stakes record time of 1:36.23. The Firebreak was Capezzano's first start since losing to Thunder Snow as the favorite in the Dubai World Cup last March 30th. Capezzano had gotten the better of that rival in his 2019 World Cup prep, the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Rd 1, when winning by nine lengths.

The well-rested gelding stopped a frustrating trend of poor performances off of layoffs with his trainer, Bin Ghadayer, commenting, “Always his first time out, he doesn’t perform (well), but we saved him this year since we heard about the Saudi race ([The Saudi Cup on February 28th]) and for (Dubai) World Cup,” Bin Ghadayer added. 

In the Firebreak, Capezzano sprinted to an early lead and was never headed, leaving his rivals vying for the runner-up spot by a widening six lengths.

Capezzano was bred in Kentucky by Darley, and is out of Cableknit, by Unbridled’s Song. Cableknit is out of Canadian Champion Two-Year-Old Filly, Silken Cat, and is a half-sister to multiple Graded Stakes winner and Champion Sprinter, Speightstown.

Only Tapit and Curlin can top his 22 Graded Stakes winners on dirt over the past five years, and only Storm Cat can top his 24 career $500K+ sales two-year-olds. He’s the youngest stallion in the world with five G1 winners as a paternal grandsire and eight G1 winners as a broodmare sire. In 2019, his daughters produced the winners of the G1 Kentucky Oaks, G1 Alabama, G1 Breeders’ Futurity, G1 Frizette, G1 United Nations and G1 Australian Derby.

Bernardini has sired over 70 career Stakes winners. These include 2020 Black Type winner Bellera, who also became her sire's 22nd career Group or Graded winner when landing the G3 Comely Stakes last year. Bernardini's sire resume also boasts 15 G1 winners, including the likes of Stay Thirsty and To Honor and Serve.