SOVEREIGN REIGNS IN THE IRISH DERBY, GR.1

Aidan O’Brien added one more for the record winning his 13^th Irish Derby Gr.1 at the Curragh with long shot Sovereign, the horse most unexpected to win the race. With multiple runners in the field including Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, this chestnut son of Galileo reigned triumphant.

Soverrign had finished behind stablemates Broome (Australia) and Blenheim Palace (Galileo) in the Gr.3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown, having been a distant second behind Broome in the Gr.3 Ballysax Stakes a few weeks before. He had then made most of the running in the Gr.1 Derby, in which he finished tenth, nine lengths behind Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo).

He was smartly away under Padraig Beggy, who had won the Gr.1 Derby on the 40/1 shot Wings Of Eagles two years ago, and he and Norway (Galileo) proceeded to build up a big lead on the others, while stablemate Broome took a tardy start. Still several lengths clear at the 4f marker, Sovereign continued his relentless gallop, though Norway began to falter, but it took a long time until any of the others closed. Guaranteed (Teofilo) had raced in third, though he was headed by Anthony Van Dyck and later Madhmoon (Dawn Approach).

Sovereign had stolen a march and sailed home by six lengths. Anthony Van Dyck finished in second and Norway just held on for third in front of Madhmoon. O’Brien said: “They were all there and they were all trying their best. It was all very straightforward. Everyone knew Padraig was going to lead and Seamus was going to follow him. Padraig set perfect fractions, increased it from halfway and he wasn’t stopping. This horse had a very good run last year when Donnacha rode him in the Beresford ahead of Japan. He won his maiden by ten lengths in Galway before that. He’s a Galileo and when they start galloping they usually don’t stop. He could go to the King George or the Grand Prix de Paris in France, and then could have a break and go to the Leger. Ryan’s horse Anthony Van Dyck ran very well. He was the only horse to chase after him, but probably Padraig was gone at the time. We were going to decide with him after this whether we go to the Grand Prix de Paris or the King George. I’d say they are still options as there was nothing wrong with the run.

Sovereign led home a 1–2–3 for the phenomenal Galileo, matching the stallion’s Classic achievements in the 2006 Gr.1 St Leger, this race in 2014 and the Gr.1 1000 Guineas three years ago. The winner was bred by Barronstown Stud out of the Gr.2- placed Danehill Dancer mare Devoted To You, a half-sister to Gr.3 winner Humble Eight (Seattle Battle) and Listed winners Thady Quill (Nureyev), Royal Devotion (Sadler’s Wells) and April Starlight (Storm Bird).