Australia won the 2014 Investec Derby at Epsom today (Saturday 7 June) — making history for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The 11-8 favourite provided the trainer with a 3rd win in a row in the race, the 1st time this has been done.
His charge this year was partnered by his son 21-year-old Joseph, who also won in 2012 on Camelot. Last year Ryan Moore won aboard Ruler Of The World.
The winner lived up to the hype — by 2001 Derby winner Galileo and out of 2004 Oaks winning mare Ouija Board, the colt came into the Classic with high expectations.
The 3-year-old had previously finished 3rd in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, but won last year at Leopardstown and The Curragh.
From a field of 16, he hit the front a furlong out before winning by a length and a quarter.
“The race pretty much went as planned,” said Joseph O’Brien.
“He’s travelled so well during the race and just idled a bit when he hit the front.
“We’ve made no secret about what we think about this horse and I knew I was on the best one so just wanted to give him a chance to do himself justice.
“Horses don’t come any easier to ride than this fellow. He’s the best.”
Roger Varian’s Kingston Hill finished 2nd while Romsdal was 3rd. Romsdal — who was supplemented for a cost of £75,000 on Monday (2 June) — is trained by yesterday’s Oaks winner John Gosden and owned by the FEI president Princess Haya.
Aidan O’Brien said: “We’re in a very privileged position to have the horses we have, so it’s thanks to everybody.
“Joseph had it in his mind where he wanted to be all the time, to keep it uncomplicated and safe and that is what he did. He gave him a beautiful ride but we’ve always thought he was very special — the way he is bred makes him very special.”
Don’t miss a full Investec Derby Meeting report in Thursday (12 June) issue of H&H magazine.
Photo by Bill Selwyn
