Irish favourite Camelot gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his sixth English 2000 Guineas and his 18-year-old jockey son Joseph his first on Saturday as he edged out Qatar-owned French challenger French Fifteen by a neck.
Camelot (15-8) was brought with a late run by O’Brien to just get up and deny the Qatari race sponsors victory with French Fifteen (12-1) while another French runner, Hermival, was third at 16-1.
The unbeaten Camelot, whose sire Montjeu died a few weeks ago, became only the third favourite in the past 19 runnings of the Guineas to prevail and earned himself an odds-on favourite tag for the Derby at the beginning of June.
However, only 36 of 151 horses have gone to achieve the Guineas/Derby double and only two in the past 20 years.
Ladbrokes even go 3-1 for him to win the Triple Crown – the Guineas, Derby and St Leger – though Aidan O’Brien refused to look that far ahead.
“The Derby would be a very suitable race for him, but the lads (the owners) will go back to Tipperary and discuss the campaign and then we will take it on from there,” O’Brien said.
“I am very lucky to have such a horse. This is one of those unbelievable days. We always thought he was pretty special.”
The trainer was delighted he hadn’t overruled his son over tactics.
“Joseph said he was going to drop him out and have him closer to last than first at halfway.
“I’m glad that I bit my tongue!”
Joseph, who took the riding honours when he landed the Breeders Cup Turf last year on St Nicholas Abbey also for his father, said he had never really worried about the outcome despite having to wend his way through several tiring horses.
“He’s got a lot of class and a lot of speed,” said O’Brien, who because of his height will likely have to switch to National Hunt racing in the future.
“I always thought I would get him up though I didn’t get the best of runs.
“He’s a horse who will need further.”
