The Derby

I wouldn’t accuse Ryan Moore of showboating on AR, but I do like any horse I have money near the pace, a la Piggott and Dettori. Epsom has such a reputation for closing the gap, as horses swing round Tattenham Corner at speed. It was “job done” in the end, and it probably shows how good the front two are, by drawing so far clear at that pace. White Birch should have been a lot closer, but he was playing up at the start, had a bad draw, and dwelt at the start. He gave the front two a big lead, and I’d like to see him in the Irish Derby on a more forgiving track.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I really wouldn't like to think so but remain open to the possibility.

As you know, I did back Auguste Rodin and I'm always checking where my [backed] horses are in a race. The fact that Frankie went to the front early had me turning to Mrs O and saying that it was unusual as he usually rides the Derby course like Piggott. When she's watching with me I usually get up and point to where my horses are in a race and at the top of the hill I pointed to AR and said, "I think the pace is slow and if it is then that one's in the wrong position."
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I sincerely hope that Mrs O values the gem she's married to. Mrs AC doesn't even stay in the room if there is racing on TV.
 
Ryan had a big smile on him after the race. He knew a few furlongs out he was on the best horse. I suspect there is a lot more there and he will improve by quite a few pounds. The second is a monster who will be hard to keep sound so will need to strike quickly. Two very good colts and I'd side with them over the older horses as the seasons goes on.
 
Derby runner up reminds me of Connaught, runner up to Sir Ivor 1968.
A big horse who had little race experience before the Derby , ended up better over shorter trips.
Connaught before my time but I remember a Pacemaker article in late 1970s about him.
Sandy Barclay rode him and , first season riding for Noel Murless thought he had Derby won until Lester passed him near the post.
As close as he ever got to winning a Derby.
Connaught so big that he was claustrophobic in starting stalls , refusing to race as 2yo so they ran him in Doncaster where stalls not introduced and spent the winter training him through stalls at Rowley Mile start.
anyways they loaded him, trained him to break quickly , pull him up after two furlongs and repeated the dose until he was well drilled.
Come 2000 Gns he walked in a lamb, broke well and promptly pulled himself up after 2 furlongs ; DOh !!!
Ran runner up in Dante before Epsom.
Whether Auguste in another Sir Ivor only time will tell.
Remember Sir Ivor was beaten in his next 4 starts before eventually coming good.
 
…prosecutor Natalie Roepke said: "The defendant can be seen to enter the track while the race is running. He put his own life and the lives of others at risk, and more importantly, the horses that Animal Rising claims to protect."
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The above is a quote from the RP report on the bail hearing for the protestor who ran onto the track during the Derby. Was this a slip of the tongue, or is it in fact generally accepted that equine life really is more important than human life?
 
Ryan's post race interview was very enlightening and you could tell, for him, he was chuffed bless him. Knew exactly what he was doing with the pace they had. Worth listening back to it if can get it on iplayer etc. AOB said one of his other horses, can't remember which one, but jockey said when they came in, practically from the start the horse didn't like the track at all and couldn't get himself balanced which AOB implied a ittle I think that plan A went out the window very quickly. Also said they think AR is one of the best they have ever had which is saying something even at this stage of his career.
One downside possibly given the performance at Newmarket, although again listen to AOB post race where he says travelling over night before just seems to upset them, on the ground they had that day might suggest the Arc won't be on the list for him.
 
New official ratings:

Auguste Rodin 123
King Of Steel 120

Given they were almost five lengths clear of the third, it doesn't say a lot about the quality in depth of the field, something I'd suggested in the lead up to the race.

I think AR is probably some way better than his mark because of the ride he got. That would make him an above average winner of a below average renewal, something I believe I opined at the time.

The flip side of the "brilliant ride" argument is if a brilliant ride can be defined as everything being made to go in such a way as to have the horse run to its maximum ability, then maybe AR isn't that great after all.

(And I don't believe that's the case.)
 
Yes, I was just coming on to post the link myself.

Always a good read and a measured - literally - opinion, whether you agree or not.

The clash, if it ever happens, between the English and French Derby winners could be quite a spectacle.
 
It looked at first time watching at top class Derby and the sectionals back it up. French Derby winner looked top class also. I think a rodin has huge potential given how much he's come forward in a month. On good ground I'd take him over anything at 12f. Stays very well and sustains speed for a few furlongs. Could turn out we have a top class 3yo generation.
 
We have had a few above average 3 year old crops these last few years; all we need is for the top horses to stay sound and race.
This year has more top horses around than most years , especially at the 10 to 12 furlong range.
 
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