Cover image courtesy of Coolmore Stud
England
O’Brien gets Derby number 11 with Lambourn
By Tom Frary, TDN Europe
After all the pontificating leading up to Saturday's G1 Epsom Derby, all that was required was respect for the Chester Vase form as Australia (GB)'s Lambourn (Ire) led home Lazy Griff (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}) as he had in that Group 3 trial. Cajoled to the front from the break by Wayne Lordan, the 13-2 shot who has become progressively less tardy with racing was soon comfortable in the clear and after freewheeling down the hill stayed on powerfully to provide Aidan O'Brien with his 11th Blue Riband.
Beginning from the race's winning-most stall in 10, the bay was soon left to his own devices on the front end. Despite being coaxed along throughout, there would have been no anxiety for those who had followed the former loafer throughout his career to date. Relatively exuberant here, he was always responsive and after freewheeling downhill to Tattenham Corner with plenty left in the tank straightened up and stayed on powerfully to finish the job.
Lazy Griff, at an inflated and disrespectful 50-1 given his record, was 3.75l behind to provide the Middleham Park syndicate and Charlie Johnston with a red-letter day in his own right, while Tennessee Stud (Ire) ground out third. A further length behind, the Joseph O'Brien-trained G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner was making it a second place-getter for Wootton Bassett (GB) in the Epsom Classics over the two days. This was truly one for the strong stayers, which will ease the minds of connections of Ruling Court (USA) (Justify {USA}) who was withdrawn because the ground was too soft for him.
Australia (GB) | Standing at Coolmore Stud
“It's incredible for everyone that we trained Australia to win the Derby and his sire as well. Australia was a great Derby winner and his horses are so straightforward, just like him,” O’Brien said.
“Wayne gave him an incredible ride and I'm delighted for him. He's very straightforward, Wayne knew he'd stay so he went forward and he's a very fit, genuine horse–a typical Australia. He's a very underestimated horse and Ryan loved him at Chester, but he couldn't ride them all. Chester gives them quick feet and we knew he wasn't going to stop. We knew every inch he gained he wasn't going to give back, so it was going to be difficult if you were on the back foot.”
Remarkably given his style of racing and need for at least this mile and a half, Lambourn is out of the Scat Daddy (USA) mare Gossamer Wings (USA) who was highly effective over five furlongs as she proved when placed in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes and G2 Flying Childers Stakes. She is a full-sister to the Stakes scorer Lavender Chrissie (USA) and a half to the GIII Victory Ride Stakes winner Baby J (USA) (J Be K {USA}), as well as Bernstein (USA)'s stakes winner and GI Secretariat Stakes-placed Laureate Conductor (USA).
South Africa
Murray aids Dave The King to do it again in Gold Challenge
by Renee Geelen, TTR
Callum Murray has been flying since arriving back in South Africa after a solid stint in Australia, and on Saturday, he guided Dave The King (Saf) (Global View {USA}) to his second successive G1 Greyville Gold Challenge win. Co-trainer Mat de Kock has also recently returned to South Africa after time in Australia. It was Murray’s second Group 1 win since arriving back in the nation.
“A helluva lot of effort went into this horse, and this is why it helps to have owners like these. Well done also to the team here who looks after him. It has taken a lot to get him back here,” said de Kock on his website.
After winning the G1 Gold Challenge and G1 Champions Cup last season, Dave The King had two poor starts in the spring, before returning to form with a last start win leading into his double. He is the last foal of his dam Touche (Saf) (Jet Master {Saf}) who produced four winners, with Dave the King’s half-brother My Bestie (Saf) (Querari {Ger}) being stakes placed. Touche is a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Empress Crown (Saf) (Caesour {USA}) and a full sister to Listed winner Butterfly Girl (Saf).
