Abby Rugg

ABOUT ME
Name: Abby Rugg
Journalism
Qualification: Gold Standard NCTJ Multi-Media Journalism Diploma. (Including 100 words-per-minute shorthand)
Employment: Worked at BBC Sport and Deltatre for London 2012.
Future Aim: To work in broadcast/production television.
Blog: Started in November 2011. Published on The Sports Investor and Value Horse Tips. Please comment on a post or follow me on Twitter.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

CAN CAMELOT WIN THE ST LEGER TO WIN THE TREBLE?

The colt proved me wrong in the Epsom Derby - but will Camelot be able to prove me right this time round by winning the St Leger?
If he wins the race he will land Flat racing's Classic Triple Crown: Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas, Epsom's Derby and the St Leger was last completed by Nijinsky in 1970.
Camelot arguably has two more factors in his favour than the iconic horse did in the 70s for the Leger: a calmer temper (which Sir Peter O'Sullevan claims it's because of the horse's partnership with jockey Joseph O'Brien) and his late sire Montjeu is thought to be a better influence for stamina rather than Northern Dancer, Nijinsky's sire. 
The St Leger win would make Aidan O'Brien the first trainer to win all five British Classics in a season.
I think Camelot can win the St Leger: wouldn't it be nice to see history being made right in front of us? 
The last treble winner before Nijinsky was Bahram in 1935 and Oh So Sharp won the fillies version in 1985 (1,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and St Leger).
Camelot won the Derby by 5 lengths: an easy win some may argue. O'Brien and the colt make a good team. It would be a rare occurrence for the treble to be won by the same horse, but with O'Brien on board I think they can both have a comfortable win. 

4 comments:

  1. Hi Abby, I think Camelot will win the triple crown this year but I think team Ballydoyle will run him a few times in the interim maybe The Irish Derby at the Curragh, The King George & Queen Elizabeth at Ascot. Also if he does succeed in winning I hope he is retired for the season & not sent to either The Champion Stakes at Newmarket or the P de T in Paris. You may have read that they were the races where the great Nijinsky met his Waterloo.

    Regards
    GC

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  2. Thanks for your comment Gerard! It's nice to see you showing an interest in my blog. Regards, Abby

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  3. I think you've made a good point Gerard on a topical subject. However, I disagree with his retirement after the Leger. I don't think it would be the best race to bow out in as everyone's lasting memory will be of him as a Leger winner (therefore a future NH sire). Personally, I don't agree with that judgement, but that's how it is.

    Instead, with modern training methods being used, I hope they will rest him and build him back up for the BC Turf: international recognition, a fast mile and a half, and a reputation that says 'speed as well as stamina'.

    That's how I'd like to see it played out anyhow :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hannah, sorry for the confusion but what I wrote above was that after the St Leger I hoped they would retire him for the season.

      Regards
      GC

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