Tellina, the 7yo South African-bred son of Silvano, will travel to Milan for the 2016 Italian St. Leger. The Gr3 St. Leger Italiano is the final classic of the Italian flat racing season and is open to horses three years and up. The 2,800m contest will be run at San Siro on Saturday, 22 October 2016.
Seven horses go to post, including three runners from Germany and one from the Czech Republic who will be taking on three local hopes.
Andreas Wohler, who currently trains Tellina, will also be saddling stable companion Rock Of Romance, who won the race under stable jockey Eddie Pedroza in 2014. Rock Of Romance will be ridden by Jozef Bojko while Tellina will be ridden by stable jockey, Eddie Pedroza.
Tellina was bred by Maine Chance Farms by Silvano out of the unraced Spectrum mare Tachina and was a R210 000 purchase at the 2011 National Yearling Sale. He was trained by Geoff Woodruff during the South African portion of his career and was originally raced in partnership by Geoff Woodruff and Terry Young, with Maine Chance Farms’ Andreas Jacobs purchasing an interest during his career.
The Silvano gelding raced over 3 seasons in South Africa, for 4 wins including the 2012 Gr2 Gauteng Guineas and 2014 Gr3 London News Stakes. He was also multiple Gr1 placed, including the SA Classic, SA Derby, Champions Challenge, Horse Chestnut Stakes (twice), Summer Cup, SA Derby, J&B Met and Vodacom Durban July (twice).
Tellina joined Mike de Kock’s Dubai string for the 2015/16 UAE season, before shipping to Germany and being placed in the care of Andreas Wohler. Tellina made his European debut in the German St Leger on Sunday, 18 September 2016, finishing one length second to Near England.
The field of 7 will face the starter at approximately 16:25 South African time.