Russian Camelot

Best horse in the world. Check. Top-rated miler. Check. The only two horses to win three Group 1 races in three different countries in 2021. Check. Highest-rated turf horse in America. Check. Most exciting juvenile in Europe. Check. When a sale can boast all of these as its graduates in a single season then it's not doing badly at all, but then the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale--and Book 1 in particular--has long been a world leader, both for its results and for its pull of potential buyers from across the...

Following some eleventh-hour persuasive talks between racing's leaders and the French government on Friday, action returned to three of France's racecourses on Monday, with ParisLongchamp meaning business by opening its ten-race card with the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges. The yellow and white silks of Guy Pariente are now a regular fixture on racecourses and, almost invariably, they are carried by the offspring of the owner-breeder's Haras de Colleville flagbearer Kendargent (Fr). With the stallion's 5-year-old son Batwan (Fr), Pariente and trainer Philippe Sogorb took the first, long-awaited race of the...

There are so many overtones from the land of the Czars in the pedigree of brilliant South Australian Derby winner Russian Camelot (Ire), by the hot Coolmore stallion Camelot. His dam is Lady Babooshka (Russian for grandmother), his granddam is Balalaika (the Russian triangular string instrument), his 2-year-old full-sister is named Russian Camilla. Insightful and fitting name for this blessed youth of a horse. Saturday, Morphettville, South Australia, Australia SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DERBY-G1, A$400,000, SAJC, 5-09, 3yo, Open Set Weight, 2500mT, 2:42.04, sf. 1--RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) , 56.5, c, 3, Camelot...

While Irish racing awaits a resumption date following a week of uncertainty over lockdown easing, two of the country's exports did Ireland proud in Adelaide on Saturday when Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), ridden by former jump jockey Johnny Allen, became the first horse bred in the northern hemisphere to win a Derby in Australia. It's no surprise to see the name O'Brien next to a Derby winner, but this time it was Flemington-based Danny O'Brien, whose season is continuing in fine style after adding the G1 South Australian Derby...

The state of lockdown has given a decent boost to TV viewing figures in Australia, where racing has been allowed to continue behind closed doors. The major feature this week is the Warrnambool May Carnival, which is perhaps best described as Victoria's answer to the Galway Festival, with its mixture of Flat and jumping action and, in a normal year, huge crowds. It's quieter at 'The Bool' this year but there are a few familiar names among the entries for anyone tuning in from this part of the world. In...