Clive Brittain's Crimplene finished third in the Italian 1000 Guineas, the Group Two Premio Regina Elena over a mile in Rome.
The Newmarket raider was beaten half-a-length and a length by local hopes, Xua (11.1-1) and Timi, in the fillies' Classic at the Capannelle.
Xua hails from the 1999 winning stable of Bruno Grizzetti, whose Shenck subsequently went onto to run fourth in the French 1000 Guineas.
John Dunlop's Eurolink Raindance, the other British runner, was a disappointing 11th. Ben Hanbury's Queen's Bench was one of two non-runners.
Rank outsider Davide Umbro was a shock winner of the Italian 2000 Guineas.
The 86.6-1 no-hoper thrashed Golden Indigo by three and a half lengths in the Group Two Premio Parioli.
Newmarket trainer Ed Dunlop had a disappointing time of it with his much fancied Catchy Word finishing ninth and second string Nothing Daunted last of the 13 runners.
