Benvenuto Cellini Triumphs in Irish Derby After Epsom Setback

Benvenuto Cellini, having faced controversy as a non-runner at Epsom, made a remarkable comeback by clinching victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, held at the Curragh. This win marks an impressive 18th Irish Derby title for the renowned trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has now secured victories in the last four editions of this prestigious race.

Overcoming Epsom Disappointment

The Chester Vase winner was expected to deliver a strong performance at Epsom, where he was the favorite to provide O'Brien with his 12th Derby win. However, a slow start and challenging ground conditions resulted in a disappointing finish. The situation became contentious when it was revealed that Cellini still had a leg on the shelf in the stalls when the gates opened, leading to his controversial declaration as a non-runner.

Despite the past setback, Cellini, with Ryan Moore aboard, was the 7/4 market leader for the Irish Derby. Although he experienced a slight slow start again, he quickly regained his stride and moved smoothly into contention. Ultimately, he surged ahead to secure victory over stablemate Christmas Day by a margin of one and three-quarters lengths. Pierre Bonnard finished closely behind in third place, while the previously unbeaten Raaheeb rounded out the top four.

Moore Reflects on the Race

Ryan Moore shared his thoughts on the winning horse, stating, "He has a lot of quality, which he demonstrated at Leopardstown last year and again at Chester. Epsom was unfortunate due to the stalls issue and the ground conditions. It was an unusual scenario, and in such circumstances, being close to the pace is crucial, which Cellini couldn't achieve at Epsom. He is still a bit inexperienced, but his temperament is solid. We made some mistakes, but I believe he is learning and improving over time. He moves beautifully and it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for him."

When asked about the decision to ride Cellini over Christmas Day, Moore explained, "I had a conversation with Aidan as I hurried through the airport on Friday morning. We agreed to stick with Benvenuto, hoping for favorable ground as we believed he had the quality to win. All three of them had winning potential, and they completed a one-two-three finish."

O'Brien's Continued Success

Aidan O'Brien expressed his delight at clinching his 18th Irish Derby win, emphasizing the challenges faced at Epsom. "We always believed in Benvenuto Cellini after his strong performance at Chester. The conditions at Epsom were not in his favor, and Ryan had an uphill battle. I thought it would be nearly impossible to make up the two furlongs he lost there," he said. O'Brien also commended Moore for making a difficult choice and acknowledged the hard work of everyone involved in the horse's preparation.

Future Plans for Benvenuto Cellini

Looking ahead, O'Brien indicated that Benvenuto Cellini and Christmas Day would likely follow different paths for the remainder of the season. He mentioned, "Cellini is a class horse, and Ryan feels that we should stick to a mile and a quarter rather than pushing beyond a mile and a half. Possible future races include the King George, and if he needs a break, he may take one. The Grand Prix de Paris might come too soon for him, but he could be a contender for the Irish Champion Stakes and potentially the Breeders' Cup Turf in the United States, which would suit him well."

In contrast, O'Brien suggested that Christmas Day would likely pursue races leading to the Leger, emphasizing the horse's stamina.

Part-Owner's Perspective

John Magnier, part-owner of Benvenuto Cellini, expressed regret that fellow owners Peter and Stephanie Brant could not attend the race due to personal circumstances. He praised Peter's deep understanding of the breeding industry, considering his background as a top polo player and his involvement in breeding Derby winners.

Purview Shines in International Stakes

In addition to the Irish Derby, Purview further solidified his growing reputation by winning the Dubai Duty Free International Stakes. Trained by Dermot Weld, Purview had previously shown promise but faced some setbacks. Following a solid performance in the Orby Stakes last month, he was considered a strong contender at the Curragh. After a strategic ride by Colin Keane, Purview secured victory by three-quarters of a length over Trustyourinstinct, marking his first Group-race win.

Weld expressed his satisfaction with Purview's performance, indicating that the colt is beginning to reach his potential. He acknowledged that the horse is expected to compete at Group One level later in the year, with targets both domestically and internationally in mind.

Overall, this race day showcased not only the triumph of Benvenuto Cellini but also the promising future of other contenders in the racing circuit.

Source: Sky Sports