British Horseracing Authority head of handicapping Phil Smith is keen to see English hero Camelot tested against older horses so his full potential can be realised.
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Montjeu has been given a rating of 124 by the BHA after he sauntered to a five-length victory at Epsom, supplementing his win in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Smith believes Camelot has to prove himself against the older brigade to be an all-time great.
“He’s very good, no question. We’ve given him a mark of 124 so far,” he told At The Races.
“At this stage of his development we see him as the same horse as Sea The Stars (2009 Derby winner).
“What we want to see him do now is to run against older horses. That is the great barometer. Sea The Stars went on to beat the older horses and remained unbeaten through the year.
“At some point we hope Camelot is going to run against older horses. It gives you a much more solid idea where he ranks in world racing.”
The Coral-Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International are the likely races Camelot could meet his elders in Britain, bringing a fascinating clash with the world’s highest rated racehorse, Frankel, into the reckoning.
