Scorthy Champ: Classic ambitions still in sight despite Guineas setbacks Joseph O'Brien's Scorthy Champ came into this season with Classic ambitions and while things haven't worked out for the colt in the Guineas races at Newmarket or the Curragh, it remains early days for him. Connections are potentially considering a step up in trip next and we're taking a closer look at Scorthy Champ's progress so far and possible future ambitions. Novibet Betting Offer If you already have a Novibet account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos Sparkling debut season includes National win Scorthy Champ raced just three times as a juvenile but he made a big impression. The son of Mehmas got off to the perfect start when winning a 7f Leopardstown maiden on good ground in May 2024. He was a 7/1 chance in that contest and he had the subsequent Doncaster Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes winner Hotazhell behind in third spot — one of five future winners amongst the vanquished. After a three month hiatus, the next stop was the Group 3 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh in August where he was third behind Henri Matisse and Hotazhell — they've combined to win three Group 1s since. Scorthy Champ headed for Irish Champions Weekend in September and landed the Group 1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes on just his third start, turning things around with Henri Matisse in doing so. Straight to Newmarket for 3YO return His return came in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket at the start of May. O'Brien, who won the race as a jockey aboard Camelot in 2012, sounded bullish about his chances in the lead up, insisting his charge was being trained to peak for the 2000 Guineas, rather than it being a stepping stone to future targets. Despite those inklings, Scorthy Champ weakened in the Guineas after laying up on the pace - hold up tactics had generally served him best as a two-year-old. At the Curragh for the Irish Guineas, he was held up, but he couldn't make up his ground as the hugely talented miler Field Of Gold dominated. That run did, however, see him finishing off well and was a hint that he might now be wanting further than the bare mile. O'Brien's pre-season hopes "From very early on we thought he was a high-class colt. The way he was moving and what he was showing us told us he was very good," said O'Brien in early spring this year. "His main target last season was the National Stakes and we didn't really look beyond that, but we always felt he would develop into a lovely three-year-old. Fingers crossed, he can." Two Group 1 defeats at a mile should not put his supporters off, especially with the Curragh effort a hint that a longer trip is needed. Step up in trip next The Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai International Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter during the Irish Derby festival could be his next stop off. The Group 3 contest would give him that extra distance and would see him taking on older horses for the first time, though he'd be compensated in weight terms for that. He has early entries in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood (mile) and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (1m2f) for the second half of the season. His next run could help forge a plan for what becomes of this campaign and it remains much too soon to be writing this talented colt off.
