Camelot becomes the Epsom Derby favourite after winning the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket
Trainer A P O’Brien’s four-year deprivation from the Guineas success got sorted on Saturday, 5th May in the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (204th Running) (British Champions Series) (Colts & Fillies) at Newmarket over a mile as his
three-year-old colt, Camelot, gifted him with a title that reaches the count of six now.
The proud winner commented: "It's one of those unbelievable days. We knew from the statistics that Camelot had a lot against him, we knew he had a lot to overcome, but we always thought he was very special.”
The 15/8 favourite of the race was guided through the track by J. P. O’Brien who displayed incredible composure and wisdom throughout the track at the very young age of eighteen. He kept his mount in the rear for quite a while and became prominent only towards
the final two furlongs of the race and claimed the race at the mere neck’s difference from the runner up of the race, French Fifteen.
Hermival settled third behind the winner and was followed by Richard Hannon’s under charge, Trumpet Major.
The third win in a row victory has made the three-year-old a ready favourite for the Epsom Derby that is scheduled for June.
'We have lots to look forward to and we'll take it one race at a time "You would imagine looking at him (that) the Derby would be a very suitable race for him.'
Before bagging the seasonal debut, Montjeu’s three-year-old bay colt out of mare, Tarfah, was unbeaten in the two starts of the previous season too. Throughout the three career starts he has been sent as the favourite.
His career debut was in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 2YO Maiden at Leopardstown over a mile on 14th July. It was ever since this start that Camelot adopted his signature style of holding back in the rear and then going all out
towards the concluding stages of the race.
He led the runner up of the race, All Approved, by two lengths.
His second career start was in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy (Entire Colts & Fillies) on 22nd October at Doncaster over a mile.
Camelot was the 10/11 favourite winner with 2 ¼ lengths under lead.
He has very successfully taken gradual, steady and calculated steps for the Triple Crown.
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