Famous victory for Name

Sunday 12 August 2012

Famous Name won his 19th race from 36 starts but significantly his first at Group Two level in the Keeneland Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh.

Many were keen to take on Dermot Weld's stalwart (evens) with Sea The Stars' half-brother Born To Sea, who finished second to Camelot in the Irish Derby on his last start and was sent off the 10-11 favourite.

However, racing without a hood, Born To Sea did not settle in the early stages and once into the straight the result never looked in any doubt as Pat Smullen nudged Famous Name clear of his market rival to win by six and a half lengths.

Weld said: "He is an amazing horse. That is his 19th win and 18 of them have been in Stakes races. He is a wonderful tribute to his owner and his breeding operation.

"He is a seven-year-old and has been in training for six years. His enthusiasm for racing and his courage is what a racehorse should be all about.

"I will speak to Lord Grimthorpe and Khalid Abdullah and see where he'll go next. You can see he is in great form."