Camelot’s Los Angeles Gives O’Brien a 16th Irish Derby

[Wandering Eyes]

Reversing Epsom form with Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}–Frequential {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) relished the more straightforward nature of the galloping Curragh track on Sunday to provide Aidan O'Brien with a remarkable 16th G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Third in the Derby, the 13-8 second favourite was always going to be better suited by this test particularly after all the rain on Saturday and enjoyed the perfect trip under Ryan Moore tracking the stable's two pace-setters. Briefly swamped by the 6-4 market-leader Ambiente Friendly approaching two out, Los Angeles was back alongside as they went toe-to-toe to the furlong pole and from there his excess stamina told.

At the line, the winner had 3/4 of a length to spare over Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), with Ambiente Friendly emptying to be a further half length behind in third. There was just a neck to the race's hard-luck story in fourth, with the unexposed Matsuri (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) denied a clear run for virtually all of the last three furlongs. Ambiente Friendly's rider Rab Havlin confirmed the visual and sectional impression of the Derby runner-up's closing effort. “He didn't really let the bit go, even off a good pace and the red light was starting to come on at the furlong pole,” he explained. “I needed the line in the end, so possibly it's back to a mile and a quarter now.”

 

LOS ANGELES is SO TOUGH

Los Angeles reverses Epsom form with Ambiente Friendly to win the @DDFRacing Irish Derby for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. @curraghrace | @coolmorestud | @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/fxkoxHMbwz

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 30, 2024

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