TONY Martin and Colin Keane achieved their first Group 1 winner when the Newtown Anner Stud-owned Laganore landed the Premio Lydia Tesio at Capannelle in Rome last Sunday.

Laganore had finished third in the race last year and this time Keane and the five-year-old had two lengths to spare over the German-trained A Raving Beauty.

The British challenger, Archie Watson’s Absolute Blast, ridden by Luke Morris, was a further five lengths back in third in Italy’s only Group 1 contest.

CREDIT

Martin reported: “We’re delighted because she has her Group 1 win now. But this was Maurice’s plan and all of the credit goes to him to bring her here and it’s paid off.

“We’ll see what we do after this but I’d say it’s likely that she’ll be retired as she looks to be a valuable broodmare.”

Martin, who had come so close to a first top-level success on the flat last autumn when the ill-fated Heartbreak City was beaten a head in the Melbourne Cup, added: “I’m very happy for Colin. He’s been riding for me ever since he was a claimer and I’m very good friends with his father. It’s brilliant, magic, and we’re going to enjoy the celebrations.”