Smart Maiden Winner Leads Home 1-2 For Camelot

Joseph O’Brien’s improving colt Degraves (2c Camelot - Daganya, by Danehill Dancer) led home a 1-2 for Camelot in Wednesday’s mile maiden at Navan.

Fourth on debut in August, he went on to finish third later that month and was sent off joint-favourite of 17 runners as a result. Ridden to chase the leaders by Donnacha O’Brien, he was travelling well two furlongs out and led approaching the final furlong. Pushed clear, he scored by two and a half lengths as Chiricahua (Camelot) caught the eye in second. Crassus (War Command), Rosa Albertine (Camelot) and Cardinal Rule (Ruler Of The World) finished in a bunch behind them.

The winning jockey later commented, “He did it nicely. The form of his last run worked out really well so he was probably entitled to do that but I think he's a smart horse.”

Owned by the Williamds, Gudinski and Ateam Syndicate, Degraves was a 92,000gns yearling purchase by his trainer. He was bred by Longueville Bloodstock and Matrix Bloodstock out of Listed winner Daganya, herself a sister to smart sprinter Snaefell.