Sir Dragonet Storms Into Epsom Derby Reckoning

Sir Dragonet (3c Camelot - Sparrow, by Oasis Dream) is now a leading fancy for the Epsom Derby after blowing his rivals away in the Group 3 Chester Vase on Wednesday.

Unraced as a two-year-old, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt impressed on debut at Tipperary last month, but faced far more experienced rivals on his second start, including Listed-winning stablemate Norway (Galileo) and Group 3 Classic Trial runner-up Technician (Mastercraftsman).

Drawn wide, Donnacha O’Brien held Sir Dragonet up at the back of the field and improved his position approaching the turn for home. The bay showed a superior turn of foot on the bend, scooting past his rivals on the outside and stormed clear under hands and heels to score by eight lengths.

Paul Smith, whose father Derrick Smith owns the winner with Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, later commented, “He's got a beautiful Galileo pedigree by Camelot so it's all there and he obviously comes alive at the track.”

Coming from the family of the great Galileo and Sea The Stars, Sir Dragonet was certainly bred to be special. He is the first foal out of Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes third Sparrow, who also has a two-year-old colt by Australia to look forward to.

Success at Epsom for Sir Dragonet bodes well based on his sire Camelot’s record, he a five length winner of the 2012 running and went on to complete the English/Irish Derby double that same month. Latrobe, from his first crop at stud, continued Camelot’s legacy when winning last year’s Irish Derby and is entered to conquer Epsom in next month’s Coronation Cup.

Camelot commands €40,000 at Coolmore Stud this season.