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In 1952 the Dormello-Olgiata Stud imported the sixteen year-old mare Probationer by the classic chef-de-race, Blandford, expecting her to produce classic level foals. One son, Proteo, by Toulouse Lautrec, won the Italian St. Leger, and a filly, Paola da Venezia (by Tornado), though less successful, was a multiple winner. Later, every breeding planned for Paola da Venezia was to classic "stout" sires, such as Vieux Manoir, Botticelli, Sheshoon and Claude. In 1963 she was sent to the classic stayer Charlottesville, the principal hope for the "Prince [Chevalier]" sire line. The foal from this breeding, the bay Pigalle (1964) had considerable physical and athletic qualities. He broke his maiden at age 2 in Turin over 6 furlongs, and early in his 3 year old year won the Premio Federico Tesio (at Pisa, 6 1/2 furlongs) and the Premio Firenze (at Florence, 8 furlongs). He only placed fourth in the Premio Principe Amedeo (at Turin, 12 furlongs), and the Dormello-Olgiata Stud flat racing trainer, V.U. Penco, determined Pigalle might have better success jumping. For the remainder of his 3 year old year he was schooled and sent out as a hurdler, winning three consecutive races (Premio Genrale Ayroldi di Robbiate, Gran Corsa di Siepi dei 3 Anni), and consequently was classified as the best Italian 3 year old hurdler of 1967. At age 4 he won his first steeplechase in February of 1968, the Premio Neni Da Zara at Rome's Capannelle, then was rested until the fall. He won the Premio Piero Richard at Merano in September, and a month later was sent on to race in the Gran Premio Merano, capturing his sixth consecutive jumping victory, beating the more experienced Cogne, Conte di Vulpiano and Gaal--he was one of the few 4 year old winners of that race. Physical and temperamental problems led to his retirement after that, and he was sent to stud in 1969 at Modolo's Stud near Belluno, Cadore, although he was still owned by Dormello-Olgiata. He died in 1975 without siring anything of significance. |
