6-year-old Famous Name outclassed Jan Vermeer to win the Group 3 International Stakes at Curragh
The 2009 winner, Famous Name, grabbed the Group Three International Stakes yet again on 24 June 2011, at the Curragh. The 6-year-old bay horse got back into form and registered an easy victory in the International Stakes, the race he also won back in 2009.
Four horses ran in the Irish Daily Mail International Stakes instead of five since Elusive Pimpernel was dropped out.
Trained by John Dunlop, the 4-year-old bay colt was expected to start and claim a win in the 2011 season. Elusive Pimpernel landed the Craven Stakes in the 2010 season and fell short to St Nicholas Abbey in the Racing Post Trophy in 2009.
Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Vermeer was expected to put up a good performance, especially when Famous Name was the only horse to beat in the race.
Jan Vermeer with a poor run of form off late was looking to redeem his poor showing by beating the International Stakes winner, Famous Name, but it didn’t happen as he finished second to Famous Name.
Famous Name was completely out-done and outclassed by So You Think in the Tattersalls Cup and finished second to her.
This time around he came back strong to grab his 13th win out of 25 starts.
The 6-year-old brown horse did it in style, covered the 1 mile 2 furlong distance in 2 minutes and 15.40 seconds, a six length victory over Jan Vermeer who was sent as favorite for the last year’s Investec Derby.
The lot broke well out of the gates with Aidan O’Brien’s Last Crusade galloping nicely in to the lead to set up the pace.
Jan Vermeer followed the pace maker and Famous Name, determined to track his main rival on the field and kept his pace steady under jockey, Pat Smullen.
It became very easy for Pat Smullen to guide his horse once the pair got 3 furlong out. Famous Name was responsive to every command Pat Smullen passed and increased the speed at will.
3 furlong out when the jockey wanted his horse to pick up speed, the 4 to 5 favourite responded well and outclassed the rest of the lot.
Famous Name has proven his consistency time and again but there hasn’t been a victory above Group 3 level and by the looks of it, this category suits the 6-year-old well because he showed promise in this division by being consistent.
The International Stakes win on 24th June has taken his earnings up to €1 million and it certainly pleased the trainer, Dermot Weld.
Dermot Weld expressed his desire to win a Group 1 race with the 4-year-old. He mentioned that Famous Name has come close to win Group 1 races and be consistent at that level of the sport as well.
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