Camelot battles to Derby double
We already knew he was miles clear off all other three-year-olds anyway and not even the horrendous surface was enough to enable four modest opponents to lay a real glove on Joseph O’Brien’s mount.
Seven were due to face the starter, but Camelot’s stable companion, Imperial Monarch, and Dermot Weld’s Speaking Of Which failed to meet the engagement, both because of ground conditions.
Weld had signposted earlier in the week that Speaking Of Which was a doubtful runner, while Imperial Monarch was the medium of a slight scare after a corn on a foot popped when being shod on Friday.
Imperial Monarch, who won on heavy ground at Sandown in April and had taken his maiden on a soft surface at the Curragh in September, was generally regarded as Camelot’s most dangerous opponent.
For Camelot’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien, it was a remarkable tenth victory in the Irish Derby and his seventh consecutive success.
In the most extraordinary of careers his predecessor at Ballydoyle, the legendary Vincent O’Brien, won the race on six occasions, but there is simply no knowing where Aidan might stop.
Said Aidan: “I’m delighted, I was very worried about the ground. Joseph has always thought that soft ground was a big problem for this horse.
“At home he wouldn’t walk on that ground. He had the speed to take the 2000 Guineas, class won him the Derby (Epsom), but it was courage that won it for him today.
“I didn’t think it was possible for a horse with that amount of class to run on that ground. All credit to John (Magnier) and the lads for letting him run, I certainly wouldn’t have had the courage to do it.”
Astrology, third behind Camelot at Epsom, took them along at a reasonable gallop, but he’s a horse who seems to have gone backwards in the meantime and was beaten once headed under four furlongs down by Akeed Mofeed.
As they left the two furlong pole behind, however, Camelot arrived full off running and was quickly in front.
Born To Sea and Johnny Murtagh had tracked Camelot throughout and, for a few strides, it looked as if the unthinkable might happen.
Camelot was weaving about a fair bit, clearly detesting the ground, but Born To Sea just wasn’t good enough to mount a real challenge and Camelot was a snug two lengths to the good at the line.
Inevitably talk immediately switched to a possible attempt at the Triple Crown and the St Leger at Doncaster.
Commented O’Brien senior: “At home we have a statue of Nijinsky (last horse to do it) and always thought it would be nice to have another one across from him.
“The Triple Crown has always been a dream and the plan now is to give Camelot a break and bring him back for an autumn campaign. We will all talk about it (Triple Crown).
“This was a massive test today, coming off the ground at Epsom to that, it had to be a big surprise for him.’
Speaking yesterday, O’Brien said: “He (Camelot) ate up and seemed fine this morning.
“He’s going to have a break and everyone knows what we’re looking at. While we’ll sit down and make a definite plan, I’d imagine it will be the St Leger.’
Joseph O’Brien said: “He hated the ground. I was struggling a bit turning in and was worried. It’s testament to the horse that he was able to go and do what he did on ground which that was the complete opposite to what he likes.
“His wheels were spinning, but he has a big heart and fought all the way to the line. I’d say he would have won considerably easier if conditions were better.”
John Magnier said: “Fair dues to Aidan, our gallops at home have been flooded and that’s the first time the horse has been on grass since Epsom.”
Murtagh said of Born To Sea: “I thought I had Camelot when I got to within three quarters of a length, but over the last 150 yards or so my horse just died a bit.
“On better ground we might have made the winner work harder. I’ve always thought this was a Group 1 horse and he showed it today, he gets the trip okay.”
