Latrobe adds to O’brien legacy

● Victory in Irish Derby at the Curragh gives trainer his first Classic victory

If anyone needed proof of Joseph O’brien’s talents as a trainer, look no further than the victory of Latrobe in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday.

Admittedly, being the son of Aidan O’brien means he has been given a bit of a leg-up in life but, even so, his achievements are already quite staggering.

He had already won the Melbourne Cup with Rekindling before Latrobe, in the same Lloyd and Nick Williams colours, gave him a first Classic triumph as a trainer.

To top it all, doing the steering was his younger brother, Donnacha, who, like Joseph, is unlikely to have a long career in the saddle due to his substantial frame.

This was, though, his third Classic win of the season having already won the 2,000 Guineas on Saxon Warrior (third on this occasion) and the Oaks on Forever Together.

The victory was also a notable first Classic for Latrobe’s sire Camelot, winner of the race in 2012.

“He had a perfect position all the way, and committed him at the perfect time. The horse is tough and stays well,” said Joseph O’brien.

“We always loved him and bought him as a yearling in Newmarket.

“From day one we loved him and he never really let us down.”

While Saxon Warrior had to settle for third in the Irish Derby, Aidan O’brien and Ryan Moore still enjoyed a Saturday treble with Battle Of Jericho, Fleet Review and Van Beethoven.

Withhold ran out an easy winner of the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on despite trainer Roger Charlton warning prior to the race be may lack sharpness on his first run of the season. Not seen since turning the Cesarewitch into a procession, he made most of the running for Robert Winston to ably justify 5-1 favouritism.

“The form of the Cesarewitch was well franked. Those first four or five horses have all run well, so the form was very solid,” said Charlton.

“He has been working with Second Step, who is rated 110. His form, I guess, was above his rating.”

Looking towards the future, Charlton said: “I’ve got to check the conditions of getting into the Melbourne Cup, but that is the long-term aim.”

Meanwhile, one to watch out for at this evening’s meeting at Hamilton is the Noel Wilsontrained Pavers Pride.

He lost out on the nod at Ayr last time out but he can get his head in front in the hamilton-park.co.uk Handicap at the Lanarkshire course.