Derby Glory For Gosden – Weekend Review

Punters cannot feel shortchanged following an action-packed weekend in which there was something for everyone, from Frankie Dettori’s flying “Derby” dismount to a record-breaking Triple Crown success in the States!

Frankie Lands Gold
First up, the Derby, where favourite backers would have been on good terms with themselves having punted Golden Horn into 13/8, prior to John Gosden’s colt winning Flat racing’s Blue Riband event by over 3l.

It was a smart performance that took Golden Horn’s unbeaten record to 4-4 ahead of a possible step back in trip for Sandown’s Eclipse Stakes on July 4, where he has been installed as the 5/4 favourite.

Free Eagle is next at 6/1. In terms of Derby winners landing the Eclipse, then both Motivator and Authorized managed second, prior to Sea The Stars – the last to try the feat – winning in 2009.

While John Gosden enjoyed a memorable 1-2, the best of Aidan O’Brien’s trio was Giovanni Canaletto in fourth, who didn’t have an ideal preparation for this and may do better in the Irish Derby.

Not that Epsom was a disappointment for Ballydoyle, as they enjoyed a 50/1 success in Friday’s Oaks via Qualify, who arrived late to thwart the favourite, Legatissimo. The runner-up may step back to 1m2f, though Qualify’s next race is likely to be the Irish Oaks, where there could be more to come if the sun shines, as O’Brien thinks she’ll be better on firmer ground.

As for that man, Frankie Dettori, then his work was not complete following Epsom, as he headed off to Lingfield to win on Willie Haggas’ Hathal who is now Royal Ascot bound – the Jersey being a possible target.

Aidan Goes For Gold
Aidan O’Brien also enjoyed success elsewhere at the weekend, when his Irish Derby runner-up from last year, Kingfisher, took the Listed Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown on Friday.

This 4yo colt was finding his best at the finish and looks a lively each-way contender for the Ascot Gold Cup, especially as the Saval Beg provided numerous winners of that race in the past. A word also goes to the teenage jockey, Donnacha O’Brien, who still gets to claim 7lb in handicaps and is worth noting in such races throughout the summer.

The Yanks Are Coming!
On the subject of Royal Ascot, there was weekend news that the unbeaten Cyclogenisis is crossing the Atlantic to further strengthen the American team, and has been chalked at around the 10/1 mark.

American runners were also in the news on the track when the mighty American Pharoah became the first horse to complete the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Bob Baffert’s colt has now achieved superstar status in the States, yet can still be backed at 5/2 to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic – a price that could look very big come October 31st.

Pipe Pips Mullins
However, for those missing the jumps, then the final word goes to David Pipe’s Un Temps Pour Tout who beat Willie Mullins’ Thousand Stars to land a French Grade 1 Hurdle on Sunday – Hurricane Fly was sixth. Un Temps Pour Tout remains an interesting 33/1 shot for Cheltenham’s World Hurdle.

*Prices correct at time of publication