Hardy Fighting Irish gives Camelot first Group winner

First-season sire Camelot recorded a first Group winner since retiring to stud when his son Fighting Irish emerged victorious in a three-runner renewal of the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte on Friday.

With such a small field tactical pace was essential, and Fighting Irish quickened to engage dual Group 2 runner-up Nebo before his stamina kicked in to overhaul his rival inside the final furlong. He prevailed by a head, although appeared to have more in hand than the official margin suggests.

Despite a paucity of opposition, that Camelot, a son of noted stamina influence Montjeu, has proved capable of siring a winner of a Group 2 over 6f looks a real fillip for a stallion whose progeny are very much expected to progress with time.

Cristian Demuro (left) poses with Christina Dunlop and owner Anoj Don after Fighting Irish's win in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-LaffitteCredit: Scott Burton

The Harry Dunlop-trained Fighting Irish's immediate siblings boast entirely differing profiles, with Well Done being a 5f two-year-old winner by Lawman, and Quids In a two-mile hurdle winner by Pour Moi. The trio are out of Quixotic, an unraced sister to Lockinge hero Virtual and close relation of Coventry Stakes winner Iceman.

Bred by Kilcarn Stud, Fighting Irish was pinhooked by Whatton Manor Stud for €50,000 before being sold on to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for £70,000 at last year's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale.

The result also adds further lustre to Pivotal's ever-growing status as a broodmare sire, with the likes of Cracksman, Mayson, Rhododendron and Harbour Law all being out of daughters of the Cheveley Park Stud stalwart.

Camelot, who came agonisingly close to landing the Triple Crown, has sired 16 first-crop winners, including the Listed scorer Alounak.

The eight-year-old, who stood his fourth season at Coolmore at a fee of €35,000, has enjoyed a fruitful few days, with his Group-race breakthrough following hot on the heels of both Merlin Magic and Saracen Knight breaking their respective maidens on Wednesday.

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