Horse racing: O’Brien lands Guineas double for second time

Even by Aidan O’Brien’s standards, the master of Ballydoyle can have had few better weekends.

O’Brien landed both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in the same season for the second time in his career courtesy of Camelot in the 2000 Guineas and Homecoming Queen in the 1000 Guineas 24 hours later.

Camelot was already favourite for the Derby before making late headway to beat French Fifteen by a neck in the hands of the trainer’s son, Joseph.

O’Brien snr, winning the 2000 Guineas for a sixth time, said: “We always thought Camelot was very special and had a lot of speed. But I was worried about the ground and Joseph said not to worry if, at halfway, he was closer to the back than the front.

“I can’t tell you how grateful and privileged I feel that Joseph has been allowed to ride him.”

O’Brien was back in the number-one spot after the 1000 Guineas – but not, as many expected, with hot favourite Maybe. Ryan Moore was riding Homecoming Queen, with Joseph O’Brien aboard Maybe, and while the winner set off like a pacemaker on the 25-1 chance, she never saw another rival when winning by nine lengths.

When asked if Homecoming Queen was running as a pacemaker, O’Brien answered: “Absolutely not. She was there running on her merits.

“She’s a tough, hardy filly with a real pedigree. She can go to the Irish Guineas or she can go anywhere – the Curragh, Ascot and Epsom are all in the mix. There are a lot of options open to her now.”

The fillies’ Classic was marred, however, when the Charlie Hills-trained Gray Pearl was put down after injuring her back in the stalls.

Elsewhere over the weekend, Mayson laid claim to bigger sprinting prices by following up his victory at the Craven meeting in the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes on Saturday. The Duke Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire will be the next stop for Richard Fahey’s improving type.

Al Kazeem may also have Group One aims after making a winning return in the Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes for Roger Charlton, while Noble Mission, full-brother to the brilliant Frankel, did his prospects for the Investec Derby no harm in the Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes.

Sunday’s supplementary feature, the Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes, was won in good style by Izzi Top, who will now head to York later this month on top of her form.

Kailani will be supplemented for the Investec Oaks after a striking display in the Tweenhills Pretty Polly Stakes, while New Pearl created a pleasing impression on his racecourse debut in the Makfi Future Stars Maiden Stakes.