bet365 Classic Trial Stakes |
 |
|
| Group 3, Sandown 15:35 £85,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 1f 209y, Class 1  |
||
|
||
1 Swagman 9/2
2 Windlord 5/4F
3 Damysus 13/2
5 ran Distances: ¾l, ½l, 2¼l
Time: 2m 10.93s (slow by 3.93s)
🇮🇪 Just the second win for Aidan O'Brien in the @bet365 Classic Trial (Imperial Monarch, 2012)
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 25, 2025
Swagman & Moore prove best @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/WiYKup9Ift
Swagman provided Aidan O’Brien with a rare success in a race that's historically been a little trickier for the Ballydoyle powerhouse to crack. While O'Brien routinely hoovers up Derby trials at Leopardstown, Lingfield and York, this Group Three had eluded him since Imperial Monarch got the job done back in 2012 — but Swagman put that right in smart fashion.
It was Andrew Balding’s Windlord who took them along from flagfall, Oisin Murphy keen to dictate, but Ryan Moore — ever the ice man — was happy to keep Swagman within striking distance, never letting the leader get too far ahead.
As they swung for home, Windlord started to wander under pressure, just as Moore asked Swagman to lengthen — and lengthen he did. A strong run up the outside saw the 9-2 shot loom into contention, while Damysus tried to pick up from the rear, and Windlord battled on bravely. But it was Swagman who always looked to have matters under control, staying on well to beat the gallant Windlord by three-quarters of a length.
In doing so, he also paid a handsome compliment to Hotazhell, Jessica Harrington’s colt who had twice had his measure last season.
Aidan O’Brien, typically measured but quietly bullish, said:
"We were delighted with him. He’s a horse we’ve always felt would enjoy a mile and a quarter — he’s done particularly well over the winter. He was still growing last year, which is why we hadn’t seen him since July, but he’s filled out now into a much bigger horse.
The French Derby is a definite possible. At this stage, we’re just getting the horses out, seeing where they all fit in. Trinity College ran well at Epsom, Delacroix impressed at Leopardstown... it’s good to have options."
As for Ryan Moore, who is never one to get carried away, he was notably positive:
"He only had three runs last year but his run in the Tyros was a good one. He’s strengthened up since and felt a much bigger horse today.
They went a nice even gallop, and although he was a touch green in patches, once we straightened he travelled into it beautifully. He showed a great attitude from the two-furlong pole.
A mile and a half wouldn’t bother him, but he doesn’t need it. He’s a very nice horse to have for the season ahead."
Classic Trial Stakes
£85,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 1f 209y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (2) Swagman 3 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 9/2
2 (3) ¾ Windlord 3 9-3 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 5/4F
3 (5) ½ Damysus 3 9-3 John & Thady Gosden William Buick 13/2
4 (4) 2¼ Sir Dinadan 3 9-3 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 12/1
5 (1) 5½ I Am I Said 3 9-3 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 3/1
