The Joseph O’Brien stable has been flying this year and may well be in the Melbourne Cup picture with progressive young blueblood stayer Defiantly, the half-brother to imported Aussie Group I winner Buckaroo (GB) and Melbourne Cup place-getter Middle Earth (GB).
Defiantly was stepping up in class for the Group II Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville following a dominant win in a staying handicap at Goodwood last month.
He relished the challenge and opened up for Dylan Brown McMonagle to win by five and a half lengths and the four year-old gelding by Kameko has now won three of nine starts with two minor placings.
"He's obviously a horse that's progressing well and I thought that was another step forward today," said O'Brien.
"I thought he got a lovely ride from Dylan and he's a stayer going the right way.
"I think if he pulls up okay from the race and everything's going well, he'd be an obvious candidate for Melbourne. Speaking with Jamie [Lovett of Australian Bloodstock], this is a good trial for the Melbourne Cup so we said we might as well come here and see if it's realistic. I think he's answered the question."
The G2 Prix Kergorlay now offers a golden ticket to the winner, who becomes exempt from ballot for the Melbourne Cup, which has twice been won by horses that have won this race in Americain and Protectionist, who took the Cup for Australian Bloodstock back in 2014.
Defiantly was originally a €310,000 purchase from the 2023 Arqana Deauville Yearling Sale for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, but found himself in a Tattersalls Online Sale the following year where Joseph O’Brien swooped in to buy him for 41,000 guineas.
He won a maiden last year and then was purchased privately earlier this year to run for Australian Bloodstock.
Bred by Qatar Racing, Defiantly has a big pedigree as he is not only a half-brother to the Chris Waller trained Buckaroo, but also to Group winner Middle Earth (GB), who is also now racing in Australia for Ciaron Maher.
Both Buckaroo and Middle Earth have been trialling in recent weeks with expectation both will be racing this spring. Buckaroo has raced twice previously in the Melbourne Cup with no joy so will be kept to shorter trips this year, while Middle Earth was third in last year's Melbourne Cup so is likely headed back for another crack.
Defiantly is the third stakes-winner among six winners from six foals to race from top producing Galileo stakes-winner Roheryn, a daughter of slick More Than Ready Group winning sprinter La Chunga.
Defiantly is the seventh stakes-winner for Kameko, who won a G1 2000 Guineas and stands at Tweenhills Stud at a fee of £15,000.
