THE Grade 1 Gran Corsa Siepi di Merano was run last Saturday and won for the second time by the Irish-bred Brog Deas. The now seven-year-old son of Arakan was successful in the race two years ago and he went on to capture the Grade 1 Gran Corsa Siepi di Milano. There then followed a long period of a year and a half off the track. It is understood that connections will attempt the double again.

Tyrone Molloy, a contributor to The Irish Field, bred Brog Deas and days before the latest victory he sold a Choisir half-sister for €9,000 in Part 2 of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. The purchaser was the British-based Italian bloodstock agent Federico Barberini. That filly is a half-sister to five winners and Brog Deas is easily the best of them.