Leger backers courting Camelot

Ladbrokes have pledged to put everything into making the Triple Crown dream a day to remember should Camelot run in the St Leger.

The 'Magic Sign' have seen the world's oldest Classic enjoy something of a renaissance since they took over its sponsorship in 2005.

The icing on the cake would be for Camelot to attempt to be only the 16th horse in history to add the Leger to victories in the 2000 Guineas and Derby.

Owners Derrick Smith, John Magnier and Michael Tabor are giving serious consideration to the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt being aimed at Doncaster.

The last horse to win all three colts' Classics was Nijinsky in 1970, and he was trained at Ballydoyle by Vincent O'Brien.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for us and we are going to throw the kitchen sink at this event - the race, the town, to ensure this happens," said David Williams of Ladbrokes.

"Too often racing lets opportunities like this slip through its fingers and we're determined that doesn't happen when it comes to our race.

"Listening to the Coolmore and Ballydoyle representatives, this is very much on their radar.

"The people there now have won every race domestically and internationally, but they have never won the Triple Crown.

"Think about Nijinsky, owned by Charles Engelhard. On his tombstone it doesn't list his achievements as a successful and wealthy businessman. It says: 'Here lies the remains of the owner of a Triple Crown winner'.

"About 10 years ago the St Leger felt very unloved. It had fallen out of fashion and was lurching from one sponsor to another and since we took it on in 2005 we have worked hard.

"We've boosted the prize money and Doncaster have gone a long way in redeveloping, but ultimately it all depends on the horses and it's very rare these opportunities come along, so we have to ensure we do everything we can to get this gig on.

"If it does happen Town Moor won't have known anything like it for a generation."

Camelot is long odds-on with Ladbrokes to add the Leger to his list of triumphs.

"He's 1-3 with us already, so we feel if he turns up the others will be a postscript to history," said Williams.

"The way he ran his race on Saturday much like the Guineas he was doing his best work at the end so a mile and six across a flat track at Doncaster would be well within his range.

"There's a huge excitement about getting this on and all we need is other trainers to be sporting and play their part and this is a race we thoroughly enjoy being part of.

"This is fantastic for the people of Yorkshire, who never gave up on the race.

"It will be brilliant for the people who have worked hard at Doncaster to have a horse and an event that has much more appeal than just the racing parish."