Lloyd Williams Wins Irish Derby

Tara Madgwick - Sunday July 1
The famed navy and white colours of Australian owner Lloyd Williams were carried to victory overnight in the Group I Irish Derby by lightly raced Camelot colt Latrobe trained by Joseph O'Brien and ridden by his brother Donnacha.

Latrobe - Irish Thoroughbred Marketing TwitterOnly breaking his maiden at his previous outing, Camelot held off Rostropovich and Saxon Warrior, both trained by Aidan O'Brien, in a pulsating finish to the mile and a half classic at The Curragh.

It was the first Classic success for Joseph, who won last year's Melbourne Cup for Lloyd and Nick Williams and partners with Rekindling.

"It's unbelievable and it hasn't sunk in yet,' said Joseph O'Brien, who won the Irish Derby as a jockey on Latrobe's sire Camelot in 2012.

"The plan was to drop Latrobe in but there was pace on early and Donnacha found himself racing prominently. He had a good position and when committed he Latrobe the horse showed he was very good, tough and honest.

"Today was plan A and we'll let the dust settle before deciding where he'll go next. I'll talk to Lloyd and Nick (Williams) and we'll see what they want to do."

Latrobe has several options ahead of him and is now 5-1 for the St Leger, 20-1 for the Arc and shortened to 25 (from 50) for the Melbourne Cup by Betfair.

With two wins and three seconds from just five starts, Latrobe is the first Group I winner for Montjeu's high class son Camelot and is his eighth stakes-winner.

CamelotLatrobe was bought for 65,000 guineas by his trainer from the Tattersalls October Book One Yearling Sale and is a half-brother to Group III winner Diamond Fields from the Shamardal mare Question Time.

Nick Williams Tweeted - A big thank you to my friends @TomMagnier and MV Magnier who both strongly suggested we pursue the progeny of Camelot, as usual they were right. I guess that is why they are the worlds best. #coolmore #camelot #latrobe

Camelot stood in Australia at Coolmore for just one season and his lone crop of foals are rising three year-olds.

Given the burgeoning success of his first Northern Hemisphere crop of three year-olds highlighted by Latrobe, the owners of his Australian offspring are entitled to be optimistic about their prospects here in the season ahead.


Advertisment
More Reading...
20th SW for Camelot
Montjeu’s Epsom Derby winning son Camelot sired his 20th stakes-winner in Ireland overnight with a win in the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes for blue-blooded filly Goddess, whose pedigree makes for interesting reading.
Fifth SW for Blue Hen
A truly run race set up the perfect conditions for Cambridge three-year-old Lord Arthur who stormed to victory in the Group II Valachi Downs Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie.
Sires With Winners - Friday April 26
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Te Akau Look to Keep Almanzor Winning Run Going in Adelaide
Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker was busy packing on Thursday morning as he readied himself for a trip to Adelaide to link up with a five-strong arsenal from the team’s Cranbourne base that will contest most of the major events at Morphettville on Saturday.
Pedigree Watch – UK – 3YO Derby Hopeful
The Group III Bet365 Classic Trial (1m2f) was run overnight at Sandown with Godolphin unearthing a serious Epsom Derby contender by Dubawi.
Camelot's Furrion Captures Warrnambool Cup
Twelve months ago at Warrnambool Furrion (GB) was the talk of the town, after he kept his record at a perfect three for three with a two and a half-length romp in a benchmark 70 over 1700 metres.
Camelot 3YO Aiming for Queensland Derby
Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are likely to have a small, but select team of two target the Queensland carnival, with progressive three-year-olds Lord Arthur and Bobby Dee on a path towards the Group I Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
Exciting New Addition and 2024 Fees for Blue Gum Farm
Blue Gum Farm are delighted to welcome a new addition to their stallion roster for 2024 with brilliantly fast Exceed and Excel sprinter Oxley Road to join Sejardan and Flying Artie.
Best On Breeding
A sensational day of racing at Morphettville on Saturday with seven stakes races highlighted by the $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Australasian Oaks (2000m) and $1,000,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m).
The Stars Come Out at Sha Tin for Champions Day
The crowd will flock to Sha Tin on Sunday for Champions Day, which features three of the most popular horses in recent years: Golden Sixy, California Spangle, and Romantic Warrior.