RACING:KIEREN FALLON didn't win the Epsom Derby during his tumultuous three-year term as stable jockey to Aidan O'Brien but the Co Clare-born jockey will get the opportunity to put that right next month on board Recital.
The controversial former champion jockey renewed the Ballydoyle link at Leopardstown yesterday when Recital followed in the footsteps of former Derby heroes, Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral, by winning the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.
It was hardly a straight-forward success though as Fallon looked to have his hands full persuading the son of Montjeu to keep galloping forward instead of hanging to the left.
But he ultimately beat his stable companions Memphis Tennessee and Regent Street in an O’Brien one-two-three that might have left many observers unimpressed but which had Fallon licking his lips in anticipation of a possible fourth blue-riband victory.
“I like him. He’s a great mover with a great attitude and he surprised me by how quickly he got there. I was in front too soon, he was lazy and there was a strong headwind. But for that he’d have won easy,” the controversial jockey said.
Asked if Recital would handle Epsom’s unique gradients, he replied: “I can’t see why not. He travels well, he’s got a great attitude and most importantly, I know the way Aidan trains and there’s a lot of improvement there.”
O’Brien flew back to Dublin from America where he’d watched Master Of Hounds run an honourable fifth in Saturday night’s Kentucky Derby and is now setting his sights on formulating a team for Epsom.
Seville tackles World Domination and Carlton House in this week’s Dante at York and although no jockey has been decided on for him, Fallon is back on the Ballydoyle team for Recital.
“The idea of Kieren riding today was that he’d ride him again,” O’Brien confirmed. “It’s great to be able to avail of the experience of these lads.”
Although some bookmakers actually lengthened Recital for Epsom on the back of yesterday’s win, unsurprisingly the trainer still has faith in the colt.
“When he got to the front he was very lazy. But he has a lot of speed. Only for what happened with St Nicholas Abbey last year, I would have run him in the Guineas, he shows that much speed,” he said. “He and Seville have never done anything together and they’re different. Seville is much more laid back and relaxed.”
O’Brien revealed that Master Of Hounds could be sent across the Atlantic again for the final leg of the American triple crown, the Belmont Stakes, but it is doubtful if we will remember yesterday’s action as vividly as Co Carlow trainer Pat Fahy.
The 33 to 1 shot Ballybacka Lady provided Fahy with the first black type flat success of his career with a smooth win that belied her odds in the 1,000 Guineas Trial. She now heads for a shot at Classic glory at the Curragh in 13 days time.
“It’s unbelievable to have a filly like this. We were very lucky to pick her for €19,000. But she’s a bit of value now!” Fahy grinned. “We have to have a go at the Guineas.”
There were no such surprises in the Group Three Amethyst Stakes as the 1 to 6 Famous Name notched a 12th career victory, and an eighth at Leopardstown under Pat Smullen.
“He’s a proper horse, a joy to train,” said Dermot Weld. “He’s entered in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and we’ll see who else might turn up for that.
“If Workforce and So You Think show up we will review things.”
The Listed Rochestown Stakes at Naas is the next target for French Emperor who smoothly broke his duck in the juvenile maiden while Johnny Murtagh made all the running on Zerashan to score for Michael O’Leary and Michael Halford in the 12-furlong handicap.
