Aidan O’Brien looks to have an yet another exciting prospect on his hands after Pierre Bonnard ran out a decisive winner of the Night Of Thunder Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.

The sizeable son of Camelot, who certainly looked the part in the parade ring prior to stepping out on the track, arrived at Newmarket for his third start having shed the maiden tag in impressive style at Dundalk last time.

Stepping up to a mile for the first time, Christophe Soumillon took his time towards the rear of the field before moving his mount into a challenge position under the stands' side rail. Five horses remained in contention coming out of the dip but in all truth, the eye was always drawn to Pierre Bonnard, who loomed out travelling powerfully.

Soumillon urged his mount to hit the front inside the final furlong and once he worked his way to the front the result looked inevitable, with Pierre Bonnard staying on powerfully up the hill to record a classy length and a half verdict over stablemate Endorsement. Del Maro fared best of the UK-trained runners back in third.

Speaking of the well-backed 6/4 winner, Aidan 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."

Paddy Power cut the winner to 10/1 for next seasons Epsom Derby and O'Brien revealed he will likely start out in a Classic trial in 2026.

He added: "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."

The victory continues an excellent run of things for Soumillon, who is currently stepping in for the sidelined Ryan Moore, and the French-based rider was full of admiration for the striking colt.

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."