It had to be seen to be believed, afforded very little luck in the run, the lightly raced Russian Camelot (IRE) sat three deep the trip at the tail of the field, swept up to a challenging position on the turn before arrogantly going on by to record a one and three-quarter length win over 5-time stakes-winning multi-millionaire Dalasan in Saturday’s Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
It was an historic win for the Hollywood handsome son of Camelot (GB) who became the first Northern Hemisphere bred 3yo to win a Derby in Australia.
No
mean feat this. Spotting a class field upwards of six months in age at just his fifth race start, Russian Camelot left Dalasan and the Group 1 Victoria Derby winner in his wake.
It also completed a successful day for the Irishman John Allen who swept all three stakes races at Morphettville on Saturday.
It also topped off a wonderful season for trainer Danny O’Brien following wins in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Group 1 Victoria Oaks.
“He’s a very exciting horse, not just for us but the public as well, from his very first start. We had to do something that hasn’t been done before, take him to the derby against the Australian three-year-olds,” O’Brien said.
“We were always confident the motor was there once he got over a bit of ground, it was a really enjoyable watch today.
“It may be rare in Australia (to go from 1600m to 2500m) but his sire Camelot won the English Derby off one prep run, in the mile of the 2000 Guineas, it is no real issue there or in France so we brought the horse from England with the training manual as well.
“He is still a young horse so we will enjoy today and he is owned by a great group of people that have resisted some big offers for the horse so I’m sure they feel as we are he has won a derby and we will savour that and look forward to the spring.”
Consigned by Camas Park Stud, Ireland to the 2018 October Yearling Sale Book 1, Russian Camelot was purchased by agent Jeremy Brummitt on behalf of some of Danny O’Brien’s clients for 120,000 guineas.
Russian Camelot becomes the 27th stakes-winner and fourth Group 1 winner for Montjeu's 4-time Group 1 winning son Camelot (GB) who shuttled to Coolmore Stud for one season.
