FIRST CLASSIC FOR JOSEPH AND CAMELOT

Joseph O’Brien rode Camelot to victory in the Irish Derby, Gr.1 in 2012 and in 2018 he won his first Classic when Latrobe won the Irish Derby, Gr.1 becoming the first Group I winner for second season sire Camelot. Saxon Warrior, trained by his father Aidan O’Brien was a leading contender for the race but it was his two sons who stole the limelight this time round. Tracking the pacesetter Rostropovich (Frankel) and Saxon Warrior (Deep Impact) who was just behind the leader, Latrobe was in striking position. Finding the pace slow the Donnacha-ridden Latrobe took over the lead on entering the straight just when Saxon Warrior appeared ready to strike. He was relentless in holding off the challenge from Rostropovich by half length at the line with Saxon Warrior a neck behind in third. The powerful father-son duo ensured that the first five home were O’Brien trained with Delano Roosevelt (Galileo) and The Pentagon (Galileo) filling fourth and fifth spot respectively. Latrobe made one appearance as a juvenile, finishing second over a mile at Leopardstown, and was second on his first two starts this year, both over ten furlongs and the second of which was the Gr.3 Gallinule Stakes. He broke his maiden exactly three weeks ago over this course and distance, winning by an impressive six and a half lengths.