DERBY DOUBLE FROM AUGUSTE RODIN

The Epsom Derby winner, Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact-Rhododendron/ Galileo), achieved significant success by winning the Irish Derby at Curragh on Sunday, July 2nd. The last time this feat was accomplished was in 2016 when Harzand (Sea The Stars-Hazariya/Xaar), trained by Dermot Weld, secured the victory.

With this victory, trainer Aidan O'Brien achieved his 100th classic race win in Europe. Auguste Rodin also became O'Brien's fifth winner of both the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby after Galileo ( Sadler's Wells-Urban Sea/Miswaki) in 2001, High Chaparral ( Sadler's Wells-Kasora/ Darshaan) in 2002, Camelot (Montjeu-Tarfah/Kingmambo) in 2012, and Australia (Galileo-Ouija Board/Cape Cross) in 2014.

In this year's Irish Derby, where 9 3-year- olds participated, Aidan O'Brien had 5 horses, and four of them shared first places. However, the celebrations of this success were overshadowed by a tragic accident involving O'Brien's other horse, San Antonio (Dubawi-Rain Goddnes/Galileo), during the race. Thankfully, jockey Wayne Lordan's condition was reported to be okay.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, Auguste Rodin fought with the pacesetter Adelaide River (Australia-Could It Be Love/ War Front) during the race, just as they did in the Epsom Derby. However, once again, Auguste Rodin managed to turn the tide in his favor in the final 200 meters and won the race by 1 ½ lengths. Covent Garden (Galileo-Inca Princess/Holy Roman Emperor) secured the third position, while Peking Opera (Galileo-Bugle/War Front) finished fourth.