Darley’s former New Zealand shuttler Cape Cross sired his latest Group 1 winner in Italy on Sunday.

His filly Nayarra took command with just over a furlong to run and easily held off the late challenge of Rosa Eglanteria to win the G1 Premio Gran Criterium in Milan.

Nayarra (2f Cape Cross – Massarra by Danehill) was winning for the first time in 9 starts but she was coming off a G3 placing in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.  “She’s had her critics but I am delighted with her,” trainer Mick Channon said.  “I doubt she will run again this year but will have to speak with her owner Prince Faisal.”

Nayarra was settled in second spot behind Lo Zoccolo Duro (Acclamation) who at one point opened up a 15 length lead.  She reeled in the front-runner and took command to score by a half-length.

The Cape Cross filly was bred in Ireland by Nawara Stud and is a daughter of Massarra who was a Listed winner of the 2001 Empress Stakes at Newmarket.  The dam is a half sister to leading sire Invincible Spirit.

Cape Cross has sired out-and-out champions Sea The Stars and Ouija Board in the last five years and his yearlings remain as popular as ever in Europe.

He had a filly sell for 500,000gns at the Tattersalls October yearling sale last Thursday and his half-sister to Derby Italiano winners Awelmarduk and Crackerjack King topped the ITS yearling sale in Rome last month for 250,000 euros.

Cape Cross sired another G1 winner on Sunday when Kalimdor claimed the Calidiran Stakes at Istanbul.

Cape Cross (Green Desert) has sired 68 stakes winners worldwide and he is based at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland.