AIDAN’S BIG DAY
Hermosa win seals fourth Guineas double for O’Brien
THE Aidan O’Brien juggernaut rolled into Newmarket at the weekend and left with the first two Classics on board.
The Ballydoyle maestro yesterday landed a fifth Qipco 1,000 Guineas with 14-1 shot Hermosa, a day after landing the 2,000 Guineas for the 10th time with Magna Grecia.
It was the fourth time O’Brien has done the Guineas double as he took his tally of British Classic wins to 34.
There could be more looming on the horizon and at Chester this week O’Brien will unleash some of his main Investec Derby contenders.
Hermosa, ridden by Wayne Lordan, is 6-1 second favourite for the Oaks behind her stablemate Pink Dogwood (7-2) and no one will under- estimate her chances.
Stamina won the day as she made all the running and repelled runner-up Lady Kaya by a length after looking like she might be overwhelmed for a few strides. Qabala, the 7-2 favourite, claimed third a neck further back.
Hermosa has all the credentials and will take some stopping in the Oaks at Epsom on May 31. She was sired by Galileo and is a half-sister to Hydrangea, a Group One mile-and-a-half winner.
Going into yesterday’s race, jockey bookings suggested more was expected from Hermosa’s stablemates but Fairyland was fifth and Just Wonderful sixth.
O’Brien’s son Donnacha, who rides Hermosa in all her work, had chosen to ride Iridessa, trained by his brother Joseph. She had beaten Hermosa in the Group One Fillies’ Mile last year at Newmarket but could only finish eighth yesterday.
Aidan O’Brien was not surprised at the result. He said: ‘ Hermosa has always been a very good filly. Donnacha was riding Joseph’s filly but he thought she was going to be his danger. She has improved a l ot over the winter. Galileo is an incredible stallion and his influence will go on for generations to come. It’s the horses’ will to win that makes them so different.
‘She is very uncomplicated. She i s tough and, l i ke her sister (Hydrangea), stays well. Wayne gave her a great ride, and it is credit to everyone at home.
‘Physically she has changed a lot over the winter and really grew into a three-year- old. She is a tough filly. The plan was to go along (in front) with her, and she was happy to go, because we knew she would get the trip well.
‘The boss (John Magnier) says it is about the blood, and the pedigree is the road map.
‘I would say that is what she is going to love (the Oaks). The Irish Guineas is there to look at, but she won’t mind stepping up in trip.
‘What can you say about Galileo – his influence is going to be forever and ever.’
Sheila Lavery was proud of Lady Kaya in second.
‘At the back of mind I was just a bit worried (about the trip) – but she very nearly got there,’ said the County Meath trainer.
‘I’m not discounting a mile, but I will go back and look at it and take advice.’
Having seen the field split into two in the 2,000 Guineas when Magna Grecia, now bound for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, raced in a three-horse group on the stand’s rail, the field for the 1,000 stuck to the centre of the Rowley Mile.
The split led some to question the Magna Grecia form. He did get a great lead from eventual sixth Shine So Bright but looked the winner on merit.
That was not the case in the Kentucky Derby, with owner Gary West considering an appeal and possible legal challenge after his colt Maximum Security became the firstwinner in the race’s 145year history to be disqualified for interference. The 65-1 outsider Country House got the race in the stewards’ room after a 20-minute enquiry.