Camelot’s Sir Dragonet a New Rising Star At Tipperary

[Wandering Eyes]

Nobody, not even Aidan O’Brien, expected to see something exciting emerge from Tipperary’s “Fundraising Events At Tipperary Races Maiden” on Thursday evening, with the extended 12-furlong contest full of potential recruits to the jumping brigades. Step forward Ballydoyle’s newcomer Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who at 14-1 was clearly not regarded ready to create a stir but who ended up providing Seamie Heffernan with a cruise round this picturesque circuit. Descended from the great Urban Sea (Miswaki), the bay will have to do a lot more than this to make a mark in elite company–the winning time was unexceptional to say the least–but the manner of the performance earned a TDN Rising Star tag with the promise of the Derby trials to come.

Tanking through the early stages on the inner racing close to the pace, Sir Dragonet loomed on the front end approaching the furlong pole with Heffernan virtually motionless and drew away without anything other than hand riding to score emphatically by three lengths from Zarafshan (Ire) (Shamardal). Aidan O’Brien told Irish Racing.com, “He has been there a while, but has obviously been sleeping and that can happen sometimes. That’s why we get them out just in case that is the way, but it’s nice to find him. A horse with a pedigree like that could be anything. He is in the [G2] King Edward Stakes in Ascot and we’ll see where we go.”

The winner is the first foal out of Sparrow (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was third in the six-furlong G3 Ballyogan S. as a 3-year-old and who is a half to the Listed Cheshire Oaks scorer and G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Wonder of Wonders (Kingmambo). Having by coincidence broken her maiden here at the same time of year over nearly the same trip, the latter was also third in the G1 Irish and Yorkshire Oaks and is now the dam of the stable’s promising 3-year-old Antilles (War Front).

Wonder of Wonders’ dam All Too Beautiful (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), who holds the distinction of being a full-sister to Galileo (Ire) and a half to Sea the Stars (Ire), was also second in the Oaks so this colt has a true Epsom pedigree, particularly given that last year’s blue riband hero Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) also features. Her unraced half-sister All For Glory (Giant’s Causeway) was also responsible for Alluringly (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who was third behind Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the Oaks. Others by Camelot in this incredible dynasty include last year’s GI  Belmont Oaks Invitational winner Athena (Ire) and the stable’s 3-year-old TDN Rising Star Goddess. Sparrow’s 2-year-old colt is by Australia (GB), while she also has a yearling full-brother to the winner.

7th-Tipperary, €12,000, Mdn, 4-25, 3yo, 12f 100yT, 2:55.89, y/s.
SIR DRAGONET (IRE), c, 3, by Camelot (GB)
   1st Dam: Sparrow (Ire) (GSP-Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB)
   2nd Dam:  All Too Beautiful (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells
   3rd Dam: Urban Sea, by Miswaki
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,244.Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien.

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