The outcome of the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby was never in doubt with home-team Ballydoyle controlling the race with pacemakers Bright Horizon (Galileo IRE) and At First Sight IRE (Galileo IRE) setting a very fast pace for the 1m4f Classic on very firm Turf.

Their A-team of Cape Blanco IRE (Galileo IRE), Midas Touch (Galileo IRE) and Jan Vermeer IRE (Montjeu IRE) hovered behind the pacemakers with the supplemented favourite Monterosso (Dubawi IRE) ridden just off their pace by Frankie Dettori for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum. 

When the pacemakers faded, all three colts of trainer Aiden O'Brien took their chances with no favouritism for any. 

Jockey Johnny Murtagh made the right choice in choosing Cape Blanco who won by 1/2 length over Midas Touch with another 1-1/2 lengths to Jan Vermeer.

Monterosso was another length behind in fourth after making a gallant effort to pass the leaders.

His trainer Mark Johnston said "We're disappointed and don't know whether this was a step too far in terms of the class or if it came too soon after Royal Ascot."

My view is that the race was too soon for Monterosso (only a week since Royal Ascot). 

Further, he was up against more experienced and rested horses on their home training course.  

I warned that "it is a big ask" for the colt and was flabbergasted that he went off favourite with the Dante Stakes winner, Cape Blanco, second in the betting.

O'Brien's horses always run to win and he deserves his fifth consecutive Irish Derby with his one-two-three result.

Cape Blanco has moved into second favourite behind Workforce (King's Best USA) with the bookies for the King George VII and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes July 24 and Midas Touch is rumoured for the Doncaster St Leger.


Colm McLoughlin Now Hon Irish Turf Club Member

Colm McLoughlin, who is the Managing Director of the Dubai Duty Free which sponsors the Irish Derby, was surprised to receive an Honorary Membership in the Irish Turf Club (regulatory body of Irish racing) for his and the company's many services to Irish racing.

The award was made in the Curragh parade ring before the entire crowd attending the Irish Derby.

McLoughlin credited his team for DDF's successful efforts on behalf of racing in Ireland, the UK and UAE.


Sea Lord Slamdunked Curragh Handicap

The team of trainer Mark Johnston, jockey Frankie Dettori and owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum were far more successful in the Dubai Duty Free Double Millionaire Handicap, 1m on firm Turf.

Their imperious three-year-old 4.1 favourite, Sea Lord IRE (Cape Cross IRE), justified confidence by easily winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 0.20s slow time.  


In-Foal Chinese White Won Pretty Polly

Akdarena (Hernando FR) took her usual leading role in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) for fillies three-years old and plus, 1m2f on good to firm Turf at the Curragh.

She was shadowed during the entire race by the grey mare Chinese White IRE (Dalakhani IRE). 

Akdarena was easily overtaken, in another canny ride by Pat Smullen on CW, in the final furlong and by Godolphin's Flying Cloud (Storming Home).

FC, with Frankie Dettori on board, was 1-1/4 lengths behind CW pipping Akdarena by a shoulder for second.

Dermot Weld trained the winner for Lady O'Reilly.

Chinese White won her first and only Group 1 and, in foal to Cape Cross IRE, she has retired.

Weld commented, "This is a special moment - the mare deserves it.  It's her last race and it's fitting she bows out with a Group 1 win."

Weld's luck did not hold in the Curragh Cup however.


Tactic Overwhelmed Profound Beauty 

Dermot Weld's six-year-old mare Profound Beauty IRE (Danehill USA) was the favourite to win the five-horse At The Races Curragh Cup (Group 3), 1m6f.

Her record is impeccable - in the money 13 out of 17 starts never lower than a fifth in her career. 

She is current favourite for the November 2 Melbourne Cup over stablemate and hurdler Rite of Passage (Giant's Causeway USA) who just won the Ascot Gold Cup.

Arundal-based trainer John Dunlop sprung a surprise in entering his Shadwell-bred four-year-old colt, Tactic (Sadler's Wells USA), in the race. 

Tactic has shown significant progress this year and proved the merit of the entry.

He defeated the mare by two lengths and his connections are now thinking of challenging the two Weld contenders in the Melbourne Cup. 

Where are the Aussie horses for their iconic race?


Sunday Best

After impressively winning the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, trainer Mark Johnston has supplemented three-year-old Monterosso (Dubawi IRE) for the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

He is 11.4 favourite with Frankie Dettori on board.

It will be a big 'ask' for the colt to tackle Aiden O'Brien's five very experienced colts:  Jan Vermeer, At First Sight, Midas Touch, Bright Horizon and Dante Stakes' winner Cape Blanco who will probably be ridden by Johnny Murtagh.

Cape Blanco is also the center of O'Brien's BHA enquiry (below).  

And what is with Jan Vermeer that he is dropping in the market?

Michael Kinane Retires

After a blindingly successful career and special partnership with the world's highest-rated horse, Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE), what is there left to prove? 

Fifty-year old jockey Michael Kinane retired on a high with sumptuous praise from everyone who ever knew him in racing.

He was the penultimate jockey's jockey.  His extraordinary talent and wise integrity will be deeply missed. 

We now mourn the departures of both him and his horse.  We can only wish them well.  

Ballydoyle Strengthens 2yo Hand in 2010 Classics

Aidan O'Brien never fails to amaze with his endless stream of Classic-worthy two-year olds. 

St Nicholas Abbey IRE (Montjeu IRE), Beethoven IRE (Oratorio IRE), Alfred Nobel IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE) are at the top of every betting list for Europe's 2010 Classics--the 2000 Guineas and Derbys. 

Sunday’s Criterium International (Group 1), 1m2f or 1000m, at St Cloud produced an emphatic winner in Jan Vermeer IRE (Montjeu IRE) over Godolphin’s Emerald Commander IRE (Pivotal) and favourite Rosanara IRE (Sinndar IRE) racing for The Aga Khan. 

Jan Vermeer’s jockey Johnny Murtagh bided his time at the back and, once his toe went into the heavy ground, JV took off outpacing a very decent field by four lengths.