Lambourn Dances to the Tune of his Forefathers on a Derby Day to Savour

[Wandering Eyes]

THE CURRAGH, Ireland — The sun came out as he came in. Lambourn, a dual Derby winner, just like his sire before him, and his grandsire before that. 

He had to work for it, mind. This was no procession as at Epsom. This time his lead was contested much of the way by Sir Dinadan until Serious Contender looked just that. Turning in, with Ryan Moore already having to coax a little, Lambourn looked far from certain to claim his second Classic. These races are never easily won though, and when the serious question came from Moore, the colt answered with the kind of dig-deep effort that separates the great from the good. He wanted it.

And the crowd wanted him, as Lambourn, head low after his mighty effort, took a lap of honour to cheers and applause. This was a Derby day to savour, despite the stiff old breeze blowing across the Curragh plains. The people turned out: young, old, some liked the parade ring, some the betting ring, and some the playground. But they were here, and that's what matters. 

Not many in Ireland will appreciate the importance of the Irish Derby more than John Magnier, and for this 160th running, he too was here with much of his family. In the winner's enclosure the Coolmore boss stood off to the side watching Lambourn as others lined up for a photograph. He was finally encouraged into the group shot, with no little reluctance, by Aidan O'Brien.

Perhaps more reluctantly he stopped awhile to answer some questions from a few members of the press corps, appraising the latest of seven performances from Lambourn. 

“He is a tough horse, isn't he? When you win the two of them… when you win the first one, you wonder, because he isn't the fancied one of the stable, how he might be,” he said. “But, sure, he did it nicely. And Ryan said afterwards he thought he might be an Arc horse.”

Magnier has raced a few of those in his time, but the list of Derby winners, of English or Irish origin, stretches farther back. This latest double hero continues not just an exciting season for his sire Australia, but also the story of Coolmore Stud, which has been enhanced so lavishly by Australia's sire Galileo, and Sadler's Wells before him.

“It is about the history,” said Magnier before drawing on the roots of his own farming upbringing. “Even if you are breeding cattle, you want to get the lines that go on and have real depth to them. We started off by going to Maryland to get this. It's not like it started with Sadler's Wells or Galileo or Australia. There is a long back story, and unfortunately I can remember it all well.”

He admitted to having had a wager on Lambourn on the World Pool, the association of which with this particular race day has led to cries of a watering-down of the quality of fare on offer among the supporting races on Derby day. It does, however, have significant financial advantages for the Curragh's coffers, just as it does for the other racecourses currently hosting World Pool days around the globe.

“It's good to support the World Pool,” Magnier said. “To be fair to [Curragh chief executive] Brian Kavanagh, he has all these races here – they are worth a hundred grand each of them. There are 10, 20 runners in them. Instead of complaining, we should be delighted. Yesterday was for all the purists that wanted it. You need the money to pay for these races. I think he has to be commended for what he did.”

He added, “The Epsom Derby is the same, only one 'real' race – maybe a Group 3 as well. The Melbourne Cup – it's a big day but they are all handicaps. Yesterday was as good a day's racing as you could wish for if you are interested in racing. You can't just click your fingers and change everything. There is the Pattern to think about. We can all clamour for whatever but you have to think about it.”

As regards the Pattern races on offer across the meeting, Magnier and his associates took both Group 1 races, with Oaks runner-up Whirl having got the better of a battle royal with Juddmonte's Kalpana (Study Of Man) in the Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday, after fellow Wootton Bassett filly Beautify had alerted onlookers to her burgeoning potential when downing the colours of Lady Iman (Starman) in the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes. The latter's trainer Ger Lyons had his revenge in the G3 Anglesey Stakes with Moyglare Stud's Suzie Songs (Starspangledbanner). By and large though, despite a Ballydoyle dominance in the key races, there was a diverse spread among the winning connections. On Sunday, the nine races went to nine different stables, with even Willie Mullins getting in on the act – when doesn't he? – and one prize going home across the Irish Sea with Ed Dunlop's Skukuza (Blue Point).

 

Racegoers continue the party after racing at the Curragh

 

With the horses gone away the band struck up in the grandstand concourse and the dancing began. There are ways and ways to enjoy a raceday. He may not have been spotted on the makeshift dance floor post-racing but, asked if he still gets as big a kick as ever out of winning the major races, Magnier replied, “That's why I'm here. A bit of maintenance and a few Group 1 winners, that will do me.”

That would do us all. Now, the band's still playing and there's dancing to be done. 

 

The post Lambourn Dances to the Tune of his Forefathers on a Derby Day to Savour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article