Already the dominant 2yo sire in Europe this season, Mehmas' year hit a new high note on Sunday when his son Scorthy Champ captured the Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained colt knuckled down well under Dylan Browne McMonagle to repel the challenge of the favourite Henri Matisse and win cosily by three-quarters of a length.
Tally-Ho bred Seagulls Eleven, a Galileo Gold half-brother to The Platinum Queen, also ran a great race in third.
Previously successful on debut at Leopardstown prior to a third in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes, Scorthy Champ races for the partnership of Rectory Holdings Limited, Barry Fowler and Anne Marie O'Brien.
“It's a special day," Joseph O'Brien told Irishracing.com. "I'm really happy with the horse and it was a fantastic ride from Dylan.
“I delighted for Barry Fowler (owner) who is in the partnership with Sam McCauley and has been such a good supporter of ours for the last number of years.
“We've had nice horses in the past but thought early-on that we had a chance of having a really nice one this year. It is so special to win a Group 1 here this weekend.
“He came back here the last day following a lay-off so we knew whatever happened, we were going to be better after the run. I'm not saying we'd thought we'd win but we thought we'd run a big race.
“I thought it was very impressive and Dylan said he idled in front and that he is a top notcher. He probably has a little bit of brilliance about him.
“I don't know what he will do next but if I was to guess, I'd say he will run again this season. I see him more as a miler so the Prix Lagardere or the Breeders Cup are options.”
Scorthy Champ is the fifth Group/Grade 1 winner for Mehmas and was bred by Healthy Wood Co out of Fidaaha, a daughter of New Approach who has already clicked with Mehmas to produce the high-class pair Malavath and Knight.
Many congratulations to all connections!
His win capped a great day for Mehmas that also featured another brilliant run by Believing to be second in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes.
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