Latrobe Back In Front In Ballyroan Stakes

Irish Derby hero Latrobe (4c Camelot - Question Times, by Shamardal) returned to winning ways in Thursday’s Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained colt was dropping back to a mile and a half following his narrow defeat in the Group 2 Curragh Cup over two furlongs further. Regular partner Donnacha O’Brien rode him to track the leaders, improving into second at halfway and was travelling well when turning for home. Disputing from the two furlong marker, he was ridden to lead entering the final furlong and was pushed out to hold off Guaranteed by three parts of a length.

Latrobe has an enviable choice of future options according to his trainer, who commented after the race, “Latrobe could go to Australia, but he has options all over the place in the likes of America and Japan. There are big races here too. I'm not sure where he's going to go yet. Tripwise he seems pretty versatile. He's run well over 1m2f and 1m6f. Donnacha felt he was always in control tonight, he doesn't do things in a hurry but he's always been that way.”

Having conquered the highest level in the Irish Derby, the Lloyd Williams-owned Latrobe showed his aforementioned versatility with subsequent Group 1 placings in both the Irish St. Leger over a mile and six, and the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, in which he was beaten by just a head.

Bred by Sweetmans Bloodstock, Latrobe was sold by Castletown Stud at Goffs as a foal for €88,000. His three-year-old full-sister Pink Dogwood is a Listed winner and was Group 1 placed in the Irish Oaks, Epsom Oaks and Pretty Polly Stakes this summer. Their half-sister Diamond Fields (Fastnet Rock), meanwhile, was a Group 3 winner, while their dam was Listed placed.

Latrobe’s two-year-old brother by Zoffany is currently in training with Joseph O’Brien.