Doncaster drools at prospect of Camelot’s St Leger bid

Camelot set up a tilt at the Triple Crown after Aidan and Joseph O’Brien became the first father and son to train and ride, respectively, the Derby winner in the 243-year history of Britain’s most celebrated Flat race.

Though victory in Doncaster’s one-and three-quarter mile classic would not add significantly to Camelot’s stud value, it is more tempting than a possible clash with Sir Henry Cecil’s unbeaten Frankel in York’s Juddmonte International.

The Triple Crown, won by 15 colts, was last secured in 1970 by a Lester Piggott-inspired Nijinsky, the only post-war winner. The fillies’ equivalent, which includes the 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks, was landed by Cecil’s Oh So Sharp in 1985.

As well as the speed to land a 2000 Guineas, and class to prevail at Epsom, Camelot also has the temperament for Doncaster – he came to prominence last October when winning the Racing Post Trophy on Town Moor.

At 8-15 on, he was the shortest priced Derby winner since Gainsborough – a subsequent Triple Crown winner – conquered Epsom in 1918.

Camelot is co-owned by tycoons Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and John Magnier who bankroll O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables and Coolmore stud that is so influential in global bloodstock.

“Camelot’s brilliance is there for everyone to see, and it’s particularly important in the year his father Montjeu died,” said Magnier, who had a dispute 10 years ago with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson over the stud rights of 2000 Guineas winner Rock of Gibraltar.

“We are going to have to take it race by race. Wouldn’t anybody be tempted by the Triple Crown? These things get to mean more as you get older. If you had asked me 30 years ago I might have looked the other way, but we will have to see what Derrick and Michael say about it.”

Former BBC commentator, Sir Peter O’Sullevan expects Camelot to join the elite list of Triple Crown winners.

He said: “It would be spectacular for racing. It’s what we need, a real star.

“He and his young rider are absolute stars. Joseph is so mature at the age of 19.”

Meanwhile the St Leger’s sponsors Ladbrokes say Camelot’s presence at Doncaster would transform the prestige of the historic race.

“Listening to the Coolmore and Ballydoyle representatives, this is very much on their radar,” said spokesman David Williams.

“The people there now have won every race domestically and internationally, but they have never won the Triple Crown.

“Think about Nijinsky, owned by Charles Engelhard. On his tombstone it doesn’t list his achievements as a successful and wealthy businessman. It says: ‘Here lies the remains of the owner of a Triple Crown winner’.

“About 10 years ago the St Leger felt very unloved. It had fallen out of fashion and was lurching from one sponsor to another and since we took it on in 2005 we have worked hard.

“We’ve boosted prize money and Doncaster have gone a long way in redeveloping, but it depends on the horses. It’s very rare these opportunities come along. If it does, Town Moor won’t have known anything like it for a generation.”