Overview
- Benvenuto Cellini won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday, powering clear to beat stablemate Christmas Day by one and three-quarter lengths in a one-two-three for Aidan O’Brien.
- Three weeks after being controversially declared a non-runner at Epsom, the colt’s Curragh success offered immediate redemption for connections who had increased stalls schooling and kept faith with Ryan Moore as jockey.
- The Epsom non-runner decision was applied under the British Horseracing Authority’s ‘fair start’ rule after stewards judged that Benvenuto Cellini had a hind leg on a stalls shelf and had been disadvantaged at the start.
- Jockey and trainer comments point to quicker, firmer ground as a key factor in the improved performance, reversing the colt’s poor runs on softer surfaces and influencing future target selection.
- O’Brien’s victory was his record-extending 18th Irish Derby win, it boosted ante-post interest for races such as the King George and the Arc, and left Christmas Day likely to be aimed at the St Leger while connections weigh options including the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Turf.