Pierre Bonnard illustrates Classic potential in Zetland Stakes

Pierre Bonnard looked a horse with Classic potential in running out a stylish winner of the Night Of Thunder Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.

Aidan O’Brien’s Camelot colt arrived on the back of a win at Dundalk and was the subject of heavy support in the market.

He was sent off the 6-4 favourite and having been keen through the first furlong, Christophe Soumillon dropped him back to the rear of the field to get some cover and he soon settled.

As the field fanned out three furlongs from home there were almost five in a line with Spyce, Look To The Stars, Allegresse and Endorsement, a stablemate of the winner, all in with a chance.

But when Soumillon brought Pierre Bonnard up the rail with his challenge the race was soon over.

O’Brien said: “He’s a lovely big horse and he’s still a baby who does everything easy at home.

“We’ve always liked him a lot and he’s a very big horse, he’s only going to improve.

“He was a little green, but Christophe was very happy with him and he’s a very straightforward horse. He’s going to improve over the winter and when Wayne (Lordan) won on him last time at Dundalk he loved him.

“I think he’ll be a Derby trial horse and we’ll go from there, but I imagine as a physical he is going to really do well over the winter months.

“We’ll get through the winter, but he’s a big, straightforward cruiser and he can handle both a tight track, having been round Dundalk, he’s nimble obviously, and fast ground which is lovely.”

Soumillon has never won the Derby, but would have no qualms about saying ‘yes’ if he got the invitation to take the mount at Epsom in June.

He said: “He was so nice in the paddock and looked amazing and moved so well down to the start.

“I was really confident he would jump out of the gates fast and Aidan asked me to give him a nice experience and get some cover, so I was very happy to stay behind Wayne on the runner-up (Endorsement) and when I started to ask him to pick up at the four-furlong marker he changed gear really easily.

“He quickened so well and won easily and he should be a great horse for next season. I’m very lucky to ride such great horses and he is another top two-year-old in the yard.

“He still had plenty of power after the line so I’m sure he will be some horse next season.”