Coolmore hit the board on Day 2 at Longchamp when the 2-year-old colt Camille Pissarro emulated the feat of his sire Wootton Bassett (GB) in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m).
On a very testing track, Camille Pissarro launched down the centre of the track from second last under Christophe Soumillon to defeat the Sangster colour-bearer Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor) by a neck with the Hello Youmzain colt Misunderstood one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Camille Pissarro was winless in five starts since making a winning debut at Navan on April 27.
At his most recent start, the son of Wootton Bassett (GB) was nosed out of the Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster won by Godolphin’s Pinatubo colt Hallasan.
Camille Pissarro was a fifth winner for Aidan O’Brien on Arc weekend.
“We have always thought the world of him, but he is a big horse, who we thought was a bit weak and was still growing,” O’Brien revealed.
“But he was coming out of his races very well, which is why he is here. In his last few races, we started to learn that he wanted to get there late.
“Christophe gave him a peach, and he said there is no doubt he will get a mile next year.”
Ballydoyle’s better fancied Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Henri Matisse looked to struggle in the conditions to finish fifth.
"Henri Matisse got carved up early, and it probably frightened the life out of him, which is why we put blinkers on him,” O’Brien said.
“He was a bit timid, but he'll be fine and he'll be lovely next year. I imagine both might be left alone now until next year, and then the lads will decide what they want to do."
Camille Pissarro was a 1,250,000gns purchase for M V Magnier & White Birch Farm from the Clara Stud draft at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
He is a half-brother to Group 1 Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde (Lethal Force) and stakes-winners Exhort (Dutch Art) and Line Of Departure (Mehmas), out of the Pivotal mare Entreat.
Camille Pissarro is the tenth Group 1 winner for Wootton Bassett (GB), enjoying the sun on his back for the fourth year in Australia at Coolmore Stud.
