Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby |
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| Group 1, Curragh 17:30 €1,250,000 added, 3yo only, 1m, 4f |
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| Saturday 28th June 2014 | |
1 Australia 1/8F
2 Kingfisher 25/1
3 Orchestra 12/1
Australia wins the Irish Derby hard on the bridle under an ultra confident Joseph O'Brien, making it a Galileo 1-2-3
"Australia is made for QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes" says Aidan O'Brien. Great to see him take on the older horses on Irish Champions Weekend
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Australia gave trainer Aidan O'Brien an amazing 11th triumph in the Classic at the Curragh as he landed the odds with almost ridiculous ease.
Winner of the Investec Derby at Epsom on his previous start, the colt followed in the hoofprints of his sire Galileo, who took both prizes in 2001, and his dam Ouija Board, who landed the Epsom and Irish Oaks in 2004.
Joseph O'Brien, riding his second Irish Derby winner, sat in third place as stablemates Kingfisher and Orchestra made the running, and he eased closer a quarter of a mile from home before leading a furlong out to score just as he liked.
The 1-8 favourite was eased down towards the end, while Kingfisher (25-1) ran on gamely to finish second and Orchestra held third as the O'Brien team filled the first three places.
Australia was sent off at a highly prohibitive price after the race was reduced to just five runners with the late defections of Epsom runner-up Kingston Hill and the winner's stablemate, Geoffrey Chaucer.
However, the expectant crowd got the result they had hoped for as the Ballydoyle inmate completed the Derby double in championship style.
O'Brien snr said: "He's got a lot of speed and so much class, it's incredible. He just relaxes in his races. Pace is his big thing, he just travels.
"It's very strange that he gets a mile and a half, but I would say he will shorten right up after that. I imagine he'll go back to a mile and a quarter now."
Asked about the possibility of Australia running in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 13, he added: "I would say he was made for that race."
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)
€1,250,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good to Firm
| Place | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st |
1. Australia (GB )1/8F 9-0 (Drawn 5) |
A P O'Brien | J P O'Brien |
| 2nd 2 1/2L |
4. Kingfisher 25/1 9-0 (Drawn 7) |
A P O'Brien | C O'Donoghue |
| 3rd 2 1/2L |
6. Orchestra 12/1 9-0 (Drawn 2) |
A P O'Brien | M C Hussey |
| 4th 3L |
7. Ponfeigh 12/1 9-0 (Drawn 1) |
John M Oxx | D P McDonogh |
| 5th 1/2L |
2. Fascinating Rock 8/1 9-0 (Drawn 3) |
D. K. Weld | P J Smullen |
| NR |
3. Geoffrey Chaucer (USA) 9-0 (Drawn 6) |
A P O'Brien | J A Heffernan |
| NR |
5. Kingston Hill (GB) 9-0 (Drawn 4) |
Roger Varian | Andrea Atzeni |
