Group double for O'Brien

RACING: Aidan O'Brien enjoyed a magnificent big-race double in Milan yesterday courtesy of Spartacus and Black Sam Bellamy.

Spartacus set the ball rolling for Ballydoyle with a comprehensive three-length victory over Mick Channon's Checkit in the Group One Gran Criterium, following up the success of the stable's Sholokhov 12 months ago.

But the juvenile race was marred by a horrific fall involving three jockeys. The incident occurred on the turn into the final straight and involved German champion jockey Andrasch Starke, Danish jockey Lennart Hammer-Hansen and Italian ace Mirco Demuro, all of whom were unseated.

Demuro walked away unhurt apart from shock, but Hammer-Hansen and Starke had to be taken to the San Carlo Hospital, located in the immediate vicinity of the racetrack.

Early indications were that Hammer-Hansen was suffering from a broken chin and neck injuries, while Starke was kept in hospital for precautionary X-rays of his stomach.

But the three horses involved escaped serious injury.

Phoenix Stakes winner Spartacus was already in the lead under Michael Kinane and was well clear when the incident occurred.

Kinane also excelled on the front-running Black Sam Bellamy in the Group One Gran Premio del Jockey Club. Black Sam Bellamy, Galileo's full-brother, fought back bravely when headed to deny the German filly, Guadalupe, in the shadow of the post in the mile and a half feature.

And there was also success on the card for Britain as Amanda Perrett's Welsh Diva ran out a brave winner of the Premio Sergio Cumani from the John Dunlop-trained pair, Fallen Star and Kootenay.

Tomahawk could yet bid for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile with Aidan O'Brien waiting to see how the colt - promoted to 7-1 favourite for the Guineas with Paddy Power - comes out of Saturday's Dewhurst second behind Tout Seul at Newmarket.