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Can Camelot clinch the legendary Triple Crown?

On Saturday 15 September Camelot will bid for racing immortality as he bids to become the first winner of the Triple Crown for over 40 years. The legendary horseracing feat of winning a ‘clean sweep’ of the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger, has been achieved only twice since the end of the First World War and was last clinched by the mighty Nijinsky back in 1970 for the famous partnership of Lester Piggott and Vincent O’Brien.

Camelot is unbeaten in five races and has already entered the history books by scooping both this year’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Investec Derby, where trainer Aidan and jockey  Joseph O’Brien became the first ever father and son to land the Epsom showpiece. Now he must raise his game once again as he steps up further in trip to tackle the mile and three quarters of the Ladbrokes St Leger.

To win three Classic races over varying distances is considered the greatest accomplishment by a racehorse.  Camelot has to prove that he has speed and stamina as well as class.

Although born more than 40 years apart, the tales of the last Triple Crown winner, Nijinsky, and Camelot have similarities.

Foaled in Canada, Nijinsky was bought by Charles W Englehard jnr and stabled with the late and legendary trainer Vincent O’Brien in Ireland - at Ballydoyle, the same establishment where Aidan O’Brien (no relation) now trains Camelot.

For the exclusive lowdown on how the two horses might compare, Sky Sports News Radio recently caught up with the man who described Nijinsky as ”probably the most brilliant horse I’ve ever ridden”, Lester Piggott. The legendary former jockey was riding his fifth St Leger winner aboard Nijinsky and here’s his thoughts on the unique Triple Crown challenge Camelot faces at Doncaster...

 Lester Piggott on the Triple Crown by British Champions Series


Nijinsky and Camelot: The key facts

NIJINSKY

CAMELOT

Lester Piggott

Jockey

Joseph O'Brien

Vincent O’Brien

Trainer

Aidan O'Brien

Charles W Englehard jnr

Owner

Derrick Smith (Coolmore)

21 February 1967

Date of Birth

5 March 2009

Ontario, Canada

Birthplace

Berkshire, England

£32,558

Purchase Price

£500,000

2 minutes 34.68 seconds

Derby-winning time

2 minutes 33.90 seconds

£286,060

Prize-money won

£1,710,767

15 miles

Distance raced 

5.5 miles

2,884

Air miles

1,130

2.5 lengths

Average winning distance

2.3 lengths

11/13

Starts/Victories

5/5

10

Wins before the St Leger

5

6

Group 1 race wins

4


Can Camelot emulate this performance at Doncaster?



If you would like to be there in person at Town Moor to see Camelot bid to follow in the footsteps of Nijinsky on the path to racing immortality on Saturday 15 September, CLICK HERE to buy tickets.

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