Al Kazeem beats Camelot at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
On his first attempt at the top level Al Kazeem shocked Camelot to take the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup under James Doyle (his first winner in Ireland and his second Group 1 victory) at the Curragh.
Al Kazeem got a beautiful waiting ride from Doyle, he ranged up to Camelot from the two pole and he quickened on inside the last to win by a length and a half.
Roger Charlton trains Al Kazeem and he commented: "He's been a slow maturing horse. Last year he came home with a stress fracture of his pelvis in the Jockey Club Stakes.
"He's work has been really impressive and James said the ground was bit lively for him there.
"He's a good horse and he rode him confidently. The plan was to drop in behind Camelot and he rode a good race.
"We can look at all the top races over a mile and a quarter and we also know he stays a mile and a half very well.
"I'd like to think maybe the Arc at the end of the season. Ascot is an obvious possibility – we've also got the Eclipse – there's lots of lovely races there for him."
Meanwhile Doyle said: "I had a good run around the track beforehand as I hadn't ridden on the round course before. It was an insight and I was really interested about the track because it turns and runs downhill and it just shows you have to keep them balanced.
"The ground out there is pretty quick and my fellow seemed to cope with it okay. He'd probably prefer a bit of give in the ground but he did it nice. He's a classy horse. There's lots to look forward to I hope.
"Myself and the boss (Roger Charlton) flew over together this morning and the plan was to track Camelot wherever he went.
"My horse has a great cruising speed and passing the two I was still taking him back. He's a class horse, he quickened up well and put it to bed nicely.
"All credit to Mr Charlton – he's done a fantastic job with the horse and he's done a fantastic job with me as well. He took me on – I'd never even ridden in a Group 1 race before and he gave me a massive opportunity in Dubai and it paid off.
"Without people like him I'd probably be doing okay but I wouldn't be here today in these type of races.
"He's a great boss and a great person to work for. He gives me great confidence.
"My grand-father is from Monasterevin. He's 75 now and he'll be at home watching. My mother used to train and right from an early age I had ponies and stuff. I started riding out when I was about twelve years of age. It went from there.
"I’m five foot ten. It's not easy but as I've got older I've become more disciplined. I can comfortably do eight stone ten so it's grand."
Boylesports go 14/1 Al Kazeem for the Arc whilst for the Eclipse they go 8s (from 6s) Camelot.
Paddy Power go 5/1 from 10s Al Kazeem for the Eclipse.
They make Camelot 5/1 from 11/4 fav for the same race. (GC & EM)
