Camelot will be crowned king if he lands Triple Crown at Doncaster

Saturday 15 September 2012

Aidan O'Brien admits it would be beyond his wildest dreams if Camelot can ensure his place in racing legend and secure Triple Crown glory in the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster.

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O'Brien has had some of the greatest racehorses of the modern era pass through his hands since taking over the reins at Ballydoyle in the mid-90s, but claims none compares to a three-year-old Montjeu colt he describes as "an incredible talent".

It is 42 years since the great Nijinsky claimed the holy grail of 2000 Guineas, Derby and Leger, the first time it had been done since Bahram in 1935. Only 15 horses have completed the treble in Turf history, although Pommern, Gay Crusader and Gainsborough are not generally recognised as their races were all run at Newmarket during the First World War and all three won a race known as the September Stakes, which was a replacement for the Leger.No horse has attempted the feat since the Vincent O'Brien-trained Nijinsky, who, like the unbeaten Camelot, was housed at Ballydoyle.Camelot has purposely been given time to prepare for this ultimate test, having not been seen since completing the Derby double at the Curragh in late June.It also promises to be a landmark day for O'Brien from another point of view, as victory in the Leger would mean he would become the first to train all five British Classic winners in a single season.Aside from Camelot, the O'Brien-trained Homecoming Queen won the 1000 Guineas while Was landed the Investec Oaks.O'Brien said: "We've had great horses all through the years and you always hope something different will come along again and then when he [Camelot] arrived it was just incredible. He's one of those very special horses, one that only comes once in a lifetime. We are in the zone where you don't want to talk about things – you just want to keep everything smooth."We [O'Brien and his wife Annemarie] breed horses; you don't look for just speed anymore, it is class you look for [in stallions]. They have to have speed, stamina and courage they are the three most important things when you are breeding horses."

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Camelot will be crowned king if he lands Triple Crown at Doncaster

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