Fresh
from good success at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale earlier this week,
Epsom Derby winner Camelot (GB) has been installed as favourite to be the
leading first season sire by number of individual winners in Britain and
Ireland during the 2017 turf season, that stretches from March 26 to November
11.
RaceBets leading first-season sires by number of winners : 9-4 Camelot, 10-3
Dawn Approach, 11-2 Declaration Of War, 7 Society Rock, 10 Epaulette, 11 Lethal
Force, 12 Red Jazz, 14 Havana Gold, 16 Intello, 20 Swiss Spirit, 20 Most
Improved (win bets only)
The above market features several other stallions with their first progeny
being offered in australia this year in Dawn Approach, Declaration of War and
Epaulette.
"We concluded that Camelot deserved to head the market for numerous reasons,"
said RaceBets' Joseph Burke. "He was an atypical Montjeu in that he won his
two-year-old maiden as early as July and although that was over a mile, he
proceeded to win the 2,000 Guineas on his three-year-old debut.
"In doing so he became only the second son of Montjeu to win at the top level
over a mile or shorter as a three-year-old or older. The fact that the only
other horse to achieve that feat is leading young New Zealand-based sire
Tavistock further strengthens Camelot's chances.
"He had the class to stay the Derby trip and came so very close to winning
the Triple Crown, but crucially his most potent asset was his ability to
quicken off a strong pace."
"Dawn Approach's chances of making a big impact are very evident. Having made
his debut on the opening day of the Irish flat season in March, he remained
unbeaten in six starts culminating in two Group 1 wins.
"He too won the 2000 Guineas on his seasonal debut, by five lengths in a
very good time, and will always be remembered for bouncing back from an
unfortunate experience at Epsom to win the St James' Palace Stakes just 17 days
later, again recording an excellent time. That was an amazing achievement by
his trainer and breeder, and Jim Bolger will obviously be key to his success as
a stallion as well."
Burke added: "Declaration of War retired as the most expensive of these
stallions and is well represented numbers wise and he is followed by Society
Rock, a sire whom the yearling buyers were very fond of last year.
"As a close-relation to one of last years Leading First-Season Sire's
Helmet, Epaulette will be expected to make a mark this year and Red Jazz,
Lethal Force and Havana Gold all have chances too. The fact that Most Improved
and Swiss Spirit, are available at 20/1 is evidence of how competitive the
competition promises to be in 2017."