Big Plans For Camelot’s Latest Winner

Youth Spirit (2c Camelot - Rocana, by Fastnet Rock) built on a promising debut to win the seven furlong maiden stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

Fourth over the same trip last month, the Andrew Balding-trained colt chased the leaders under Oisin Murphy and improved to press the leader approaching the two furlong marker. Ridden to lead a furlong later, he kept on well to beat the favourite Magical Land by a length.

Balding expects greater things from the winner, later saying, “I think Youth Spirit is a nice horse. Oisin was quite impressed with him here and I think he won in spite of the ground. He'll definitely stay a mile and hopefully further next year. The Vintage Stakes at Goodwood would be an option.”

Owned by Ahmad Al Shaikh, the son of Camelot was bred by Ringfort Stud and Paul Hancock out of a half-sister to talented sprinters Bogart and Blaine.