Benvenuto Cellini made up for his Epsom disappointment by handing Aidan O’Brien 1-2-3 in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
The Chester Vase winner was the favorite to give the Ballydoyle handler his 12th Derby win at Epsom three weeks ago. However, a slow start and slow ground saw him finish down the field. He was subsequently declared a controversial non-runner. When the door opened, he still had his legs resting on the stall rack.
Ryan Moore joined him, so instead of swapping Epsom’s hero and comrade for Christmas, Frankel’s son has become a market leader for the Fourth of July, rewarding those who keep the faith. He again missed the break slightly but soon recovered and was well in contention before a lap to finish by three quarters of a length from Christmas.
Pierre Bonnard was a neck behind in third, with previously undefeated Raaheeb in fourth.
More to follow…
Purview set their sights high with an international win.
Purview further strengthened his growing reputation with a comprehensive victory in the Dubai Duty Free International Stakes.
Dermot Weld’s colt looked an exciting prospect when he finished second to the top-class Delacroix in last year’s Leopardstown Derby Trial, and although he was beaten in his next few starts, he secured a contract for 2025 with a Listed win at Cork and looked better than ever on his return in the Orby Stakes last month.
The son of Kingman was the moneyed favorite to win his first group race on his return to the Curragh and after traveling well in the wake of Sindria for much of the ten-furlong journey, he was pushed out by Colin Keane to win comfortably by three quarters of a length from Trustyourinstinct.
Purview took Group Three honors at the Curragh.
“I was delighted for the horse and the owner. Juddmonte has been a great supporter of mine and I am grateful for the family’s support,” Weld said.
“He’s a very talented colt. He’s starting to deliver on the promise I always thought he would. “I think he’s still got a year left on him and we’ll be looking at other options.
“I always thought I would reach my peak by the end of this year, and today is just one step closer.”
The Rosewell House handler expects Purview to test his mettle at Group 1 level later this year after confirming his targets at home and abroad.
Asked if he would have been tempted to go to Royal Ascot, Weld added: “I think I’ll always get him here. I know I’m getting him back at 1.5 miles, and at the moment we know that’s probably his optimal distance.
“Looking at what he won today, the Irish Champion Stakes is definitely a solid target for him. Colin and I were lucky enough to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf (Tarnawa in 2020) a few years ago and we think he could be the horse for that race.
“He was also on the Arc and I always saw the end of the year for him, but the Arc can get very heavy. As you can see today, he has some speed.
“Colin is a horse that can handle Keeneland very well because he rides him at a fast pace.
“He’s a very smart colt and I think he still has a lot more left in him.”
