City Of Troy's Challenge Keeps Us Rooted in the Present

Aidan O'Brien annexed the two latest editions of Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan with subsequent Group 2 winners Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) and River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and he secured the hattrick after 1.25-million guineas Tattersalls Book 1 graduate Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) produced a 'TDN Rising Star' display in the extended five-furlong contest...

Aidan O'Brien annexed the two latest editions of Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Navan with subsequent Group 2 winners Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) and River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and he secured the hattrick after 1.25-million guineas Tattersalls Book 1 graduate Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) produced a 'TDN Rising Star' display in the extended five-furlong contest. Aesop's Fables and River Tiber also earned Rising Stars in this event and Camille Pissarro becomes Wootton Bassett's seventh Rising Star. Camille Pissarro dwelt slightly as the gates opened, but swiftly recovered and bounded along stalking the leaders out wide in a prominent fourth. Inching closer from halfway to launch his challenge passing the quarter-mile marker, the 10-11 favourite was given one reminder from Ryan Moore's persuader and found another gear inside the final furlong to open up a 1 1/2-length margin back to New Theory (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) at the line. “He's a horse that has shown a bit at home, it is great to get him out here and that was a lovely start,” said Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “He has got an unbelievable pedigree by Wootton Bassett and a fantastic attitude, which is typical of the Wootton Bassetts. The penny was only starting to drop with him in the last half-furlong, which was probably the best part of the race for him. Once he puts the front nine and back nine together, he is very exciting. He's a classy sort, he's one of the smart ones and definitely one for [Royal] Ascot. Whether we get one run into him between now and then, I'm not sure, and we could go there without another run.” Camille Pissarro is the latest of nine foals and eighth scorer produced by a winning half-sister to G2 International Topkapi Trophy, G3 Supreme S. and G3 Criterion S. victor Producer (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}). He is a half-brother to G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}), Listed Cathedral S. winner Line Of Departure (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Listed Pipalong S. victrix Exhort (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and to the dam of the dual stakes-placed Annie's Song (Ire) (Camacho {GB}). Camille Pissarro's second dam River Saint (Irish River {Fr}) is a half-sister to 10-time Grade I-winning US champion and matriarch Serena's Song (Rahy).