IRELAND: Irish Derby May Be Next For Camelot

Unbeaten Epsom Derby hero Camelot could run in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 30.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt landed the Epsom classic last weekend to supplement his 2000 Guineas success at Newmarket last month and is already an odds-on favourite to become the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to win the Triple Crown by adding the St Leger to his haul at Doncaster in September.

However O'Brien has plans to run him in the Irish Derby beforehand.

O'Brien said: "We will see how Camelot is in about 10 days and make a decision then. He seems to have come out of Epsom well and the Irish Derby is a race that means a lot to us.

"It has been a very solid race and a very fair test over the years and the Curragh is the best Derby track.

"At this stage there is no point looking too far ahead. We will take one race at a time."

O'Brien has sent out nine winners of the Irish Derby including the last six and has a big team of candidates for this year's classic.i.

Epsom Derby third Astrology, Imperial Monarch, eighth in last Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club, Tower Rock and Father Of Science are all possibles for the Curragh according to O'Brien.

O'Brien's Hardwicke Stakes winner Await The Dawn could make his first home appearance of the season in Sunday's Silver Stakes at the Curragh.

Await The Dawn will need to pick himself up from his distant last in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March.

O'Brien has also entered Learn, a pacemaker for Camelot in the Racing Post Trophy last season, and Derrinstown Trial runner-up Tower Rock.

Other interesting candidates among the 15-strong entry are David Wachman's recent Gowran winner Tannery and prolific types Brog Deas and Midnight Soprano.

Sapphire, an improving filly for Dermot Weld, and Sharestan, who was not far behind Windsor Palace and St Nicholas Abbey in the Mooresbridge Stakes, are others of note.


today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}