Camelot -- On The Brink Of History

[Patuxet]

http://www.goracing.ie/HRI/Whats-On/Wha ... f-History/

A good background article with an excellent slide show.

Go Camelot!

[TJ]

http://www.goracing.ie/HRI/Whats-On/Whats-Happening/Camelot---On-the-Brink-of-History/

A good background article with an excellent slide show.

Go Camelot!

Hi Patuxet,
Thanks for sharing that article....the slide show was great, what distinctive markings he has on his face. We think we're waiting too long for another Triple Crown winner....they're waiting 42 years. Guess the Triple Crown is tough to win no matter what side of the pond you're on. Good Luck Camelot!! TJ

[TJ]

It's hard to win the TC no matter what side of the pond you're on. The American bred Encke owned by Godolphin won comfortably over Camelot while the rider nearly fell off when it appeared his saddle slipped. Camelot received a poor ride by young O'Brien, which may have accounted for the upset. TJ

[wilf]

Just like the triple crown trail in the USA ,there is a good reason why very few horses have passed this test. It's ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE! Camelot is a good horse in an ordinary year but still almost got the job done. Too bad but history is saved for great feats ,Nijinsky,Secretariat,Slew and Affirmed.....now that's greatness!

[TJ]

Just like the triple crown trail in the USA ,there is a good reason why very few horses have passed this test. It's ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE! Camelot is a good horse in an ordinary year but still almost got the job done. Too bad but history is saved for great feats ,Nijinsky,Secretariat,Slew and Affirmed.....now that's greatness!

Hi Wilf,
Here's the race...I think the rider on Camelot should have come off the rail sooner for running room..he could have been closer. Take nothing away from Encke who's saddle slipped pulling up and almost lost the rider. What do you think wilf....bad ride? TJ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNWuls_0FRs

[Jorge]

The comments on their concern about the distance being too long for his
physical built makes one ponder on whether they waited too long to make their late rushing effort in order to save energy.

[wilf]

I don't much worry about bad rides anymore , as horses generally put themselves where they can be and second guessing jockeys will mostly make you look stupid ,it has for me so I gave up. Horses as brilliant as Camelot don't often win a slugfest like the St Leger as it tends to dull their sprint up the stretch. I used to win quite a few marathon races with horses of moderate talent as long as they could settle well in running or go for home at the 5 furl pole if they had no sprint .

[HJ]

Camelot was beaten by an overconfident and arrogant ride by his jockey. Inexperience would have been the main reason. Camelot would surely have emulated Nijinsky II had he also had the benefit of the services of one Lester Piggott at his prime.

The winner Encke should be given credit for a terrific performance, he showed a good turn of foot when urged and won full of running.

[TJ]

Frankie Dettori will ride Camelot in the Arc. Joseph O'Brien, who has been the only rider to sit on Camelot's back, will ride St Nicholas Abbey instead for his dad Aidan in the Arc. Dettori will have a very busy weekend, Saturday he will ride Cogito in the Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park, then back on the plane to ride Sunday in the Arc. Read more below. TJ

http://www.drf.com/news/arc-de-triomphe ... en-camelot

http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park-de ... to-jamaica

[Patuxet]

And if Camelot wins he certainly deserves to be named European HOY over Frankel. IMO contesting and winning classics trumps an unblemished boutique season.

[valjoe]

bad news
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... -for-colic

[Fireslam]

And if Camelot wins he certainly deserves to be named European HOY over Frankel. IMO contesting and winning classics trumps an unblemished boutique season.

Frankel has won 4 grade ones, never looking like he ever got out of a gallop, against the best older horses, making them all look like cheap claimers. Camelot, tho a very good horse, was beaten very badly in his only start against elders. Camelot is no Sea The Stars, who was a much better 3 year old, and deserved Horse of the Year.

[TJ]

bad news
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... -for-colic

Hi Valjoe,
Seems he's doing well after the exploratory surgery. Coolmore tweeted this: "Camelot's colic surgery went well and he is doing great. The veterinary team are delighted with his progress to date."
I believe this horse is better than his last race suggests and doubt his current colic episode is at all related to his poor performance in the Arc. Prior to this unexpected surgery, Camelot was to race again next season. Two reasons prompted this decision...one, to regain his previous stature as a race horse and two, to avoid a head to head battle with Frankel in the breeding shed. Looking back at the Arc, the only possible excuse for Camelots poor performance was the fact he lost three shoes during the running of that race. TJ

[valjoe]

hi TJ

thanx for the update

[Patuxet]

Fireslam wrote: "Frankel has won 4 grade ones, never looking like he ever got out of a gallop, against the best older horses.."

Greatness in European race horses has traditionally been measured by dominance in the classics and confirmed by superiority in the great all-age races, the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Frankel certainly proved his superiority in the 2000 Guineas but then he failed to contest a Derby and studiously avoided the grand slam races which validate preeminence against all comers. No question Frankel was exceptionally talented but only within a career apparently calculated more to protect his reputation and value at stud than to honor the historic spirit of the sport.