Casamento Takes Beresford Prize

Casamento (right) - won Beresford.

Michael Halford described Casamento as by far the best horse he has trained after the colt gave him his biggest ever success in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes.

The two-year-old, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, justified the 10,000 euros supplementary fee when landing the odds in the Group Two contest.

The 4-6 shot did what was asked of him and gained compensation for finishing second behind Pathfork in the National Stakes two weeks earlier.

Pat Smullen was happy to sit in second place and let the Aidan O'Brien-trained Robin Hood make the running.

Casamento ranged alongside the pacesetter two furlongs out and forged his way clear to win by four lengths.

"We were delighted with him. He settled very well behind the leader and when Pat picked him up he idled a little bit in front, but it's a great race and some wonderful horses have won it," said Halford.

"If he goes on to be anything like them we'd be very happy.

"He's very laid-back at home, he did the one bit of work we were very pleased with so we decided to take our chance.

"We don't have any plans yet. We will talk to the team and see how he comes out of the race.

"He's the best horse I've had by a long way."

Smullen added: "He's a nice horse. He was a bit aggressive out of the gates and did the same in the National Stakes.

"When Seamie (Heffernan, rider of Robin Hood) went in front it was important I got him to settle which was good for the future.

"As a result he got very relaxed and I had to stoke him up to go and win and he won with plenty in hand.

"He's an immature horse still mentally and will improve over the winter. He has the makings of a very good horse."

Sky Bet were very impressed and cut the winner to 10-1, from 12s, for the 2000 Guineas. Stan James are 12s from 20s, William Hill 14s from 16 and Ladbrokes 16s from 20s.