RACING/Budweiser Irish Derby: High Chaparral led a historic clean sweep for Aidan O'Brien in yesterday's Budweiser Irish Derby, a result that was greeted with applause and more than one shrug.

Maybe it was the foul weather that dampened the enthusiasm of the 27,134 crowd. Or maybe High Chaparral's 1 to 3 SP failed to get the pulses racing.

But more likely is that they had witnessed just the latest muscle flex from the Coolmore-Ballydoyle power block.

A seventh Group One triumph of the season, including five classics, added to a world record 23 top-level successes last year, testifies to an almost unprecedented dominance at the top level.

The remarkable Aidan O'Brien is the figurehead of a remarkable operation that has turned Europe's racing field into a paddock that only the Maktoum family can hope to enter with similar regularity.

In such an environment it wouldn't be fair to say the reaction to yet another Derby triumph was "so what?" But it is fair to say that horizons are stretching beyond the Curragh.

John Mangier has made no secret of his desire to crack America and when the cold-eyed Coolmore supremo takes such an aim, it is more likely to be more Beatles than Oasis.

It also made O'Brien's post-race declaration that a move to the US to train is not something to be ruled out even more significant.

In the meantime, though, the trainer was more than happy to sing the praises of the third Irish colt in a row to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double.

"He is colt with a lovely outlook who only does what he is asked to do," said O'Brien.

It was that phlegmatic attitude that led to the race's one momentary heart flutter, as early in the straight High Chaparral gave a brief impression that it was going to be harder work than his SP might suggest.

Sholokhov was making the best of his way home at that stage. It's not often a Group One winner is dismissed as an apparent pacemaker and given an insulting 200 to 1 quote to boot. Sholokhov reacted by running the race of his life.

Ridden by apprentice Paul Scallan, he had made the pace from another stable companion, Ballingarry, with only the English raider Nysaean separating them from High Chaparral.

On the turn, Michael Kinane had a peep to see how the horses behind were doing. The view was good but the favourite's response was not.

"I looked under my arm to see the others and when I did that, he dropped off the gas. He just idled, but when I gave a couple of backhanders he quickened up well," Kinane reported.

Sholokhov kept on well enough to hang on for second and Ballingarry edged out Nysaean for third, to complete the first ever one-two-three in the Irish Derby.

James Allen in 1907 saddled the first two but no one else has ever come close. It's also shorter odds than High Chaparral's yesterday that that gentleman hadn't the range of options O'Brien now has for his star-studded team.

"With Galileo last year we went for the King George and maybe he paid for it later in the season," he said.

"You don't want to go to the well too often with any horse," declared Magnier, leaving few in doubt that Ascot is out.

In, however, is a warm-up race before a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. High Chaparral is now a 5 to 2 favourite for Longchamp.

Sholokhov could tackle another high-profile stable companion, Hawk Wing, in Saturday's Eclipse, while the St Leger beckons for Ballingarry.

The outlook is less sure for some of the also-rans in yesterday's classic, but Dermot Weld knew In Time's Eye's fate in the morning.

"All the rain didn't help him at all," said the local trainer, who had earlier seen his colt Pakhoes edged out by Ballydoyle's Hold That Tiger in the Railway Stakes.

Rock Of Gibralter beat Hawk Wing in the race last year and Hold That Tiger did enough to earn a 14 to 1 quote for next year's 2,000 Guineas.

"I liked the way he answered the call when he was asked," said O'Brien, possibly looking to the future. In racing, it's always the next race that counts.

'n The Trainers Association have resolved their differences with Horse Racing Ireland and have agreed to next Saturday's evening meeting at Leopardstown.

They had told their members originally to boycott that meeting, but chairman Willie Mullins said yesterday: "Agreement has been reached. A payment will be made to trainers for the stable staff and the meeting can go ahead."