Deep Impact’s Auguste Rodin Wins The Irish Champion

[Wandering Eyes]

Proving once again that he belongs at the top of the tree, Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}–Rhododendron {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) laid it all out on Saturday to prevail in a gruelling edition of Leopardstown's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. As he had in the Derby, when churning out historical sectionals at the business end, the 11-4 favourite was able to handle a demanding test carved out by last year's hero Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and pour it on late as the closers inevitably came into the picture. Subduing Luxembourg a furlong from home, the TDN Rising Star who is possibly the most ground-dependant elite performer that Aidan O'Brien has trained could even have been idling late as he led home a one-two by half a length, with Luxembourg grimly hanging on to the runner's-up spot by a short head from Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) finished on their heels a further half a length behind in fourth.

“It is very satisfying and he floated around there–it never really felt in any doubt and he was just waiting a bit in the last 100 yards,” Ryan Moore said. “Aidan's done a fantastic job to get him back in that shape and I knew cantering down to the start he was back. I always felt this was his ideal trip and they went an even gallop and they all had their chances.”

 

Redemption for Auguste Rodin in a thrilling €1.25m Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes! @BahrainTurfClub @LeopardstownRC# | # | # pic.twitter.com/C3Hn7VEuxg

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 9, 2023

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
ROYAL BAHRAIN IRISH CHAMPION S.-G1, €1,250,000, Leopardstown, 9-9, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:02.68, gd.
1–AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Rhododendron (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Ire, GISP-US, $1,786,763), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Halfway To Heaven (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
O-M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €725,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, 9-6-1-0, $2,891,914. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Luxembourg (Ire), 135, c, 4, Camelot (GB)–Attire (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (150,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-B V Sangster (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €250,000.
3–Nashwa (GB), 132, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–Princess Loulou (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. €125,000.
Margins: HF, SHD, HF. Odds: 2.75, 4.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: King Of Steel, Alflaila (GB), Point Lonsdale (Ire), Onesto (Ire), Sprewell (Ire). Scratched: Al Riffa (Fr).

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