Aidan O’Brien was the man to follow on the final day of the Irish Derby meeting at the Curragh on Sunday, completing a treble that included two Group 3 contests. Joseph O’Brien was the first to strike for his father, riding Bye Bye Birdie to an all-the-way three lengths success in the Grangecon Stud Stakes, and Seamie Heffernan completed his Group 3 brace by riding Ernest Hemingway to an impressive five lengths victory in the At The Races Curragh Cup. However, the most memorable winner for Aidan was perhaps his least high profile of the day, as Beach Of Falesa’s success in the Boylesports.com Ladies Derby Handicap was his daughter Sarah’s very first win in the saddle. The main event on the card was the Group 1 Oxigen Environmental Pretty Polly Stakes and the prize went for export with the Roger Varian-trained Ambivalent making all the running to score by ½-length under Johnny Murtagh.
Trading Leather Takes The Irish Derby
Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning were the toast of the Curragh on Saturday evening, teaming up with Trading Leather to record a memorable win in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. The son of Teofilo was given a no-nonsense ride by Manning and having hit the front over a furlong out, he stayed on gamely to score by 1¾ lengths. Wayne Lordan took centre stage on the remainder of the card by riding a treble that included the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Railway Stakes on the David Wachman-trained Sudirman and the Group 3 Woodies D.I.Y. Sapphire Stakes on the Eddie Lynam-trained Slade Power.
O’Brien In Charge At The Curragh
Aidan O’Brien got his Irish Derby weekend at the Curragh off to a solid start on Friday evening, securing a double that included the featured Group 3 eFlow ‘You First’ International Stakes with Flying The Flag. The son of Galileo was seemingly his stable’s second string, but he overcame that to record an authoritative four lengths victory under Seamie Heffernan. Aidan’s double was completed in the eFlow ‘Hassle Free’ Maiden, with the Joseph O’Brien-ridden The Vatican making all the running for a gritty 1¾ lengths victory.
Smullen Doubles Up At Tipperary
Pat Smullen was the man in form at Tipperary on Thursday evening, riding the winners of the opening two races on the card. He got off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden, making all the running on the Willie McCreery-trained Abbakova for a no-nonsense 2¾ lengths victory. His double was completed in the Pride Of Tipperary Festival 2013 Handicap, with him riding the Dermot Weld-trained Johnny Lynch to a last-gasp neck success.
Aidan O’Brien In Treble Form At Naas
Aidan O’Brien dominated proceedings at Naas on Wednesday evening, completing a treble that included the featured Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Naas Oaks Trial with the promising Venus De Milo. Ridden by Seamie Heffernan, the daughter of Duke Of Marmalade quickened up nicely to lead close home and score by ¾-length. Joseph O’Brien was in the saddle for his father’s other two wins, riding Illustrate to an easy 2¼ lengths success in the Prosperous Financial Services Supporting North Kildare Chamber Maiden and the promising Darwin to an impressive 2¼ lengths victory in the Boston Access Race.
Sir Lynx Shocks At Ballinrobe
There was a shock result in the featured John Madden & Sons Handicap Hurdle at Ballinrobe on Tuesday evening, with the Martin Cullinane-trained Sir Lynx scoring at 28/1. The six-year-old rallied gamely on the run-in to prevail by ¾-length under Shane Hassett. The pick of the Flat action on the card was the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden and it was the Kevin Prendergast-trained Daymooma that emerged on top in what was a rough contest. Ridden by Chris Hayes, the three-year-old drew away close home to prevail by 2½ lengths.
Meade In Double Form At Kilbeggan
Noel Meade took centre stage on Monday evening’s card at Kilbeggan, completing a first and last race double. Meade got off the mark in the opening Easyfix Rubber Products Maiden Hurdle, with Honourable Emperor overcoming notable trouble in running to score by four lengths under Davy Condon. The Meade brace was completed in the concluding Loughnagore Beginners Chase, with Tom Horn recording a comfortable 4¾ lengths victory under Mark Walsh.
Racing News
Camelot Could Be Retired
Aidan O’Brien has revealed last year’s 2,000 Guineas and Epsom/Irish Derby hero Camelot could be retired after failing to recapture his best form this season. Since managing a workmanlike victory on his return, Camelot has been beaten by Al Kazeem in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and finished fourth behind the same opponent in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. While a tilt at the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 6th will be considered, O’Brien is unsure whether they will persevere with a horse that remains of significant value as a potential stallion.
Al Kazeem Likely To Run In Irish Champion Stakes
Al Kazeem is to run in the Coral-Eclipse on his next start and will then be aimed at the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The five-year-old has won his last two outings in Group 1 company, most recently in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
Upcoming Fixtures
Gowran Park – Tuesday 2nd July (First Race 5:50)
Fairyhouse – Wednesday 3rd July (First Race 6:00)
Leopardstown – Thursday 4th July (First Race 6:00)
Bellewstown – Friday 5th July (First Race 5:20)
Wexford – Friday 5th July (First Race 5:40)
Bellewstown – Saturday 6th July (First Race 5:20)
Bellewstown – Sunday 7th July (First Race 2:25)
Limerick – Sunday 7th July (First Race 2:05)
Roscommon – Monday 8th July (First Race TBC)
Roscommon – Tuesday 8th July (First Race TBC)
Naas – Wednesday 10th July (First Race TBC)
