Camelot Filly Fuels Classic Dreams With Impressive Group Success

Dare To Dream (3f Camelot – Debutante, by Gold Away) proved well-named when running out a taking winner of Sunday’s Group 3 Prix Vanteaux at Longchamp.

A debut winner in August, the Gavin Hernon-trained filly followed up with a fine fourth to Freville (Gleneagles) at Group level, before justifying connections’ decision to travel when finishing third in the Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh. Stepping up to nine furlongs on her three-year-old return, the bay was settled towards the back of the field by Alexis Pouchin and was shaken up approaching the two furlong marker. Running on strongly on the outside, she led with a furlong and a half to race and kicked clear soon after. Eased down close home, she won by two lengths, with another three and a half lengths back to the third.

The performance saw Dare To Dream shorten to 16-1 for the Epsom Oaks, with Hernon later revealing Hong Kong-based Dun Shing Lee grew up close to the track. “There's a chance we could take her over for the press gallop before the Oaks, although I'd like to keep the Prix Saint-Alary open as an option,” the trainer added. “We've got the right to dare to dream and she was very well named by Mr Lee. We always thought she'd take us to the top table and today she proved she could.”

The progressive daughter of Camelot was bred by Ecurie des Monceaux, Meridian International and Scuderia Waldeck.