3 minute read

It all started on Friday, as it usually does.

That's the day for the G1 Coronation Cup and the Oaks and Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore were quickly into stride with Jan Brueghel defeating favorite Calandagan by ½ length in the Coronation Cup with Giavelotto third in the 7 runner contest.

And they echoed that success in The Oaks, which looks like it was a well-planned race where the winner Minie Hauk had obviously shown impressive form at home and was sent to Chester to collect the Cheshire Oaks to keep her moving and then she had just enough dash to defeat her gallant stablemate Whirl who fought off every challenge except the very last one after a front running effort.  Favoured Desert Flower was third.

And on to Saturday where Spiritual won the Princess Elizabeth for the Gosdens and Rob Havlin on 9/1 ahead of Bright Thunder  and Sparks Fly 11/1 with favourite Royal Dress fourth,

Ryan Moore was back with another winner in the Diomed this time for Richard Hannon with Persica 6/1.  Ice Max 10/1 was second and Docklands (with Aussie interests) third and Royal Playwright fourth.

The Derby was a different sort of Derby this year and perhaps best described as a "tamer" race.  Yes, Coolmore again but this time it was Wayne Lordon in the irons to get the win he so narrowly missed in the Oaks with Lambourn, who is by Australia who is by Galileo so sire and grand-sire both Derby winners.  They went to the front early on and just took over the race winning by a soft 3 ¼ lengths over Lazy Griff 50/1 and Tennessee Stud third on 28/1.  Well done to those who had the trifecta!  The French raiders Midak and New Ground saw Midak just run out of steam – one of several who didn't cope with the Epsom course – but New Ground ran a blinder to finish fourth.  They had to pay a hefty supplement to run New Ground but it could well be worth it as he looks set for bigger things in future.