Kingsbarns has been shaved to a 4/1 favourite for the 2013 English Derby after a convincing victory in the G1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster.  The Coolmore colt won Great Britain’s final top-level race of the season from Van Der Neer and Steeler.

“He has an unbelievable cruise,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said.  “He won his maiden very easily and we were inclined on leaving him alone for the year.   Then he did one bit of lovely work and came through with flying colours today.”

The stable supplemented the winner and he came in for sustained support during the week.  Whispers of a heady gallop after a seven-length win on debut at Navan on October 10 had bookies on high-alert.

Kingsbarns (2c Galileo – Beltisaal by Belmez) ensured owners Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith will once again have the winter favourite for the 2013 English Derby.  The Racing Post Trophy has provided four Derby winners since 2001 including Coolmore champion Camelot (Montjeu) this year.

Kingsbarns was bred in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien’s wife Ann-Marie.  He is a half-brother to Sweeter Still, a G3 winner of the 2008 Senorita Stakes at Hollywood Park.

The Galileo phenomenon produced its latest Group 1 winner just a week after Frankel’s all-conquering farewell.  “He has a lot of natural speed and is a great traveller,” O’Brien said when discussing the future for Kingsbarns.  “All the options open to him so will bring him back in the spring and then see what to do.”

KINGSBARNS
G1 Racing Post Trophy winner for Coolmore and Galileo