Camelot's fabulous recent run of success was crowned on Friday when British
raider Fighting Irish claimed the Group II Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte in
great style.The Harry Dunlop-trained colt, bred in Ireland by Kilcarn Stud, was a five-length winner on his previous start and showed great resilience to land the prestigious six-furlong contest.
Nebo proved a determined opponent but ultimately Fighting Irish, under Cristian Demuro, proved too tough and got up to win the Group 2 prize for red-hot Camelot.
Dunlop is now understandably looking at a step up to the top grade.
"He's beaten a pretty good horse in Nebo and I thought Cristian gave him a brilliant ride," said the winning trainer. "We've got him entered in the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud and after his performance today we'll take a close look at that.
"It would mean stepping up to seven furlongs, but I think it might be worth a bash."
Fighting Irish is the second stakes-winner for Camelot and is one of 16 first crop winners for the champion son of Montjeu.
He is the best of three winners from Quixotic, an unraced full sister to Group I winner Virtual.
Camelot covered 104 mares in Australia at a fee of $22,000 and already has over 20 named two year-olds, so they might be something to watch for at the back end of this season and into next spring.
