Giavellotto is expected to be sidelined until next season after finishing third behind Kyprios in the Irish St Leger on Sunday.
After securing back-to-back Group Two victories in the Yorkshire Cup and the Princess of Wales’s Stakes, Giavellotto was seen as a significant challenger to Aidan O’Brien’s standout stayer. However, he had to settle for third place, with Willie Mullins-trained Vauban taking second.
While reluctant to offer too many excuses, trainer Botti felt that the race did not play to Giavellotto’s strengths. "Kyprios is an exceptional horse, but I felt the race didn’t quite suit us," said Botti. "The pace was very steady, and Oisin (Murphy) was following Kyprios throughout. Ideally, Giavellotto would prefer a faster-run race. It’s not making excuses; it’s just an observation."
"He still put in a solid performance and wasn’t beaten by much. It’s disappointing because it was a great opportunity for him, and he deserved a Group One win. However, the race conditions didn’t suit him perfectly, though it was still a commendable effort."
Botti noted that Giavellotto seemed a bit warm before the race and wondered if the journey had taken more out of him than anticipated. "Whether the travel affected him more than we expected is unclear, but overall, he didn’t disgrace himself."
With Botti preferring to avoid races over two miles, Giavellotto’s opportunities for the rest of the season are limited. An ambitious plan to target the Hong Kong Vase has been discussed, but a break appears more likely.
"The first thing Oisin mentioned after the race was that if there were a mile-and-a-half race on good ground, we should consider it. The Hong Kong Vase could be an option, but it’s in December, and considering he started his season in February in Saudi Arabia, a break might be more beneficial," Botti added.
"He will remain in training next year, so a short break and a fresh start next season is likely. We’ll assess how he recovers and consult with the owners."
Botti also noted that the Saudi race Giavellotto finished third in was a Group Three handicap, and with his higher rating now, he would carry a lot of weight if conditions remained the same. "It’s a valuable race and worth considering, but we’ll review it closer to the time."
"We’ll certainly look at the Yorkshire Cup again and hope for another attempt at the Irish St Leger next year."