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Colt becomes Dansili’s 144th stakes winner.

The Andrew Balding-trained Berlin Tango (3 c ex Fantasia by Sadler's Wells) put his credentials for the Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) on show as he galloped to a comprehensive victory in the Classic Trial Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) at Kempton on Wednesday and  became the 144th stakes winner for pensioned Juddmonte sire Dansili (Danehill).

A winner at Ffos Las as a juvenile and before finishing third in two Listed contests, the colt finished second on his reappearance as a three-year-old in March at Kempton, but he returned to the winners’ enclosure on Wednesday with a length and a quarter victory over Pyledriver (Harbour Watch) with another two and three quarter lengths back to Bright Melody (Dubawi) in third. 

Despite the impressive nature of Wednesday’s victory, Balding would not commit the colt to a start in the Classic at Epsom on July 4. 

“He stayed well. He ran well enough here in the Kentucky Derby Trial before lockdown, he needed that race and stripped a bit fitter today, extra distance – he’s a decent horse in fairness.

“He had a couple of good runs last year in a Listed race but was still a bit raw, he’s a nice horse.

“(David Probert, jockey) seemed to think he will stay further, but there’s so many options as it’s an unusual year and we’ll have to discuss it with Mr Strawbridge (owner) and give him all the options and ultimately let him make the decision.

“He would need to be supplemented (for the Derby) which might be a brave shout, but we’ll certainly look for something at Royal Ascot if it doesn’t come too soon and he should have a good summer.

“Depending how the other trials work out, I wouldn’t rule it (the Derby) out, but it’s a big plunge to supplementing.”

Bred and owned by George Strawbridge, the colt is out of three-time Group / Grade 3 winner Fantasia (Sadler’s Wells), who has produced a further two winners. 

Fantasia herself is out of winning Darshaan (Shirley Heights) mare, making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Pink Symphony (Montjeu) and the dam of Group 2 scorer Western Hymn (High Chaparral). 

Meanwhile, the colt’s third dam is 1995 Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) Blue Duster (Danzig).

The winner is another example of the potency when Dansili was mated with a Sadler’s Wells (Northern Dancer) and he becomes the 16th stakes winner produced on the cross, which is headed by three top flight winners; Flintshire, The Fugue and Passage Of Time. 

Dansili was retired from stud duty in April 2018 due to declining fertility.