Camille Pissarro surprises in Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

Oct 06, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Trainer Aidan O’Brien won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) for the ninth time on Sunday, not with favored Henri Matisse, but with the 12-1 outsider Camille Pissarro. Rallying from last to first with jockey Christophe Soumillon, the Irish shipper denied Rashabar by a neck to earn 10 points on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Campaigned by the Coolmore partners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Mrs. John Magnier along with Peter Brant, Camille Pissarro also scored a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Del Mar.

Camille Pissarro was emulating his sire Wootton Bassett, the 2010 Lagardere hero. Wootton Bassett had two more sons in the field – beaten favorite Henri Matisse, who wound up fifth, and seventh-placer Houquetot.

After winning on debut at Navan back in April, Camille Pissarro had endured a five-race losing streak going into ParisLongchamp. The dark bay suffered narrow losses in the Marble Hill (G3), Anglesey (G3), and the Weatherbys Scientific at Doncaster last out. But he’d also been well beaten in the Coventry (G2) at Royal Ascot and Gimcrack (G2), making him a questionable prospect on the step up to Group 1 level on Arc Day.

The soft ground helped Camille Pissarro to register his first stakes victory. Turning the tables on Coventry winner Rashabar, he negotiated about seven furlongs in 1:20.58 and advanced his record to 7-2-3-0.

Congrats to the connections of Camille Pissarro! Now has 10 points on the Euro/Mid East Road to the #KyDerby! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/3jb1rcxzLz

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) October 6, 2024

Rashabar, always handy in a stalking position, was 1 3/4 lengths clear in second (five points). Early leader Misunderstood gamely held third (three points) by a short neck from Field of Gold (two points), with Henri Matisse picking up one point in fifth. Next came Heybetli, Houquetot, Tiego the First, and Cowardofthecounty.

Bred by Cn Farm in Ireland, Camille Pissarro was sold for more than $1.5 million as a Tattersalls October yearling.

Camille Pissarro is a half-brother to Group 1-winning sprinter Golden Horde as well as stakes scorers Line of Departure and Exhort. They are all out of the Pivotal mare Entreat, from the extended family of Hall of Famer Serena’s Song.

With O’Brien mentioning the 2000 Guineas (G1) as a classic target next spring, Camille Pissarro is expected to aim for Newmarket rather than Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.