Camelot had to be brave at the Curragh to beat Born To Sea© Photo Healy Racing
Camelot got the job done at odds of 1/5 in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby to become the 15th horse to complete the English/Irish double. He ultimately had to tough it out to get the better of Born To Sea to credit Aidan O'Brien with his 7th Curragh highlight in a row, his tenth in all and his 28th Irish Classic.
Settled fourth of the five by Joseph O’Brien, Camelot had just Born To Sea behind him as Astrology cut out the pace for his stable companion.
The field closed up as they turned into the straight and Camelot took over from under two furlongs out where he wandered about a bit.
Born To Sea in the hands of Johnny Murtagh soon emerged as a threat but a brave Camelot saw out the mile and a half inside the final furlong to win by two lengths.
The pair left Light Heavy nine lengths behind in third whilst Born To Sea's stable mate Akeed Mofeed finished fourth and Astrology faded to finish last.
Joseph O’Brien said: "He's a very very good horse because he hated the ground. He's got a big heart and he tried very hard. He got himself out of a hole because he was hating the ground.
"He travelled well and he was nice and relaxed. It's testament to the horse that he is, to win there, and he showed how big a heart he has – he hated the ground – and still he's gone and won a big race quite easy.
"I was worried turning-in, it's testing, sticky ground, they are not getting through it - it's the opposite of what he likes.
"The wheels were spinning in that ground and he would have won considerably easier if the ground was much nicer."
Aidan O’Brien commented: "He's a great horse. We've never had one like him and wouldn't it be something to dream about now to go for the Triple Crown but the lads (the owners) will have to talk about that.
"We were very worried about the ground. We thought soft ground would be a big problem as he's a good moving horse.
"All credit to Mr Magnier, Mr Tabor and Mr Smith. They let it happen, I wouldn't have had the courage to do it.
"I didn't think it was possible with a horse of his class. At home he wouldn't walk on that sort of ground.
"After the Guineas we knew he had speed and after the Derby we knew he had class. Here though he had to show courage on top of that.
"As regards the Triple Crown he's had different tests and he's passed them all. The lads will go and talk about it.
"The plan was always to have a break after today with an autumn campaign in mind. We can all have happy dreams tonight.
"We have a statue of Nijinsky looking at us as we go in and out of the yard every day.
"It's always been a dream to have another horse up there on the other side.
"It was a massive test today and I can't say how pleased and relieved I am."
John Magnier remarked: "That's a relief as the ground was a big issue and we just about got away with it. As regards the Triple Crown I'll have to talk to Michael (Tabor) and Derrick (Smith). They're older than me – they'll want to go for it!
"The sponsors have committed here for three years and that was weighing heavy on our minds. Also the effort put in by the Curragh committee had to be considered.
"It would have been like a tail wagging a dog if we hadn't run.
"The gallops have been flooded and he hasn't even been on grass since Epsom."
Camelot now 1/5 (with a run) from 1/4 with Powers for the Leger at Doncaster.
Camelot 1/4 from 1/3 with Ladbrokes for the same race.
2/1 unchanged Camelot for the Arc with Powers. (GC & EM)
