Irish Masterpiece on Full Display in French Derby

Leading trainer O'Brien's Camille Pissarro is crème de la crème in Chantilly Group 1 race

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PARIS - Ireland's Camille Pissarro showcased his close affinity with France by claiming the €1.5 million (S$2.2 million) Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (2,100m) at Chantilly on June 1.

Camille Pissarro is trained in Ireland at the great Ballydoyle training centre, overseen by multiple-champion trainer Aidan O'Brien.

But he clearly enjoys France, where he has received his best accolades: the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at age two in October 2024 and a third-place finish in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1,600m) on May 11.

He is also a son of popular stallion Wootton Bassett, who first rose to prominence in France and now stands in Ireland at Coolmore Stud, the stud farm for which O'Brien trains.

Besides the horse's name, a reference to one of the great French Impressionist masters, another French-Irish connection is his dam Entreat. She previously produced another Group 1 winner, Golden Horde, a son of Lethal Force now standing as a stallion in Normandy at the Haras de Montfort et Preaux.

Slated as the first leg of the brand new Arc Races, the Prix du Jockey Club was effectively decided well before the finish line.