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Dick does the business

Posted on: 19th Jul 2014 by: McCalmont Bloodstock

Purchased for €280,000 by McCalmont Bloodstock, from Camas Park Stud at last year's Goffs Orby Sale, Dick Whittington has mixed it with the best around so far this season and on Saturday at The Curragh he cemented his position towards the top of the two year old tree with victory in the Anglesey Stakes, Group Three.

Small in numbers but no shortage of quality. This was a proper Group 3. Both the winner and the second had solid Group form having contested the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dick Whittington was all the rage for that contest after his demolition of Dandyleekie at Navan but he couldn´t live with Richard Pankhurst in the closing stages of that contest and was ultimately disappointing given the reputation he brought with him to Ascot. Aidan and Joseph O´Brien were adamant he didn´t stay the 7f there and their decision to drop him down to 6f proved a clever move. Joseph was always in the right place and he quickened up best to see off the runner-up a shade more comfortably than the winning margin suggests. The Phoenix Stakes, over this C&D, is likely to be next on his agenda and we will know more about his credentials for next year´s Qipco 2,000 Guineas after that.

QUOTES: Aidan O´Brien, trainer of Dick Whittington: 'He just didn´t stay at Ascot, it was as simple as that. He is fast and we will look for something like the Phoenix for him now.'