Alamshar answers every call for patient Murtagh
Soumillon was simply outfoxed by a brilliant Johnny Murtagh, as the unbeaten in six races Dalakhani went down by half a length to John Oxx’s Alamshar in yesterday’s Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh.
The Aga Khan, sportingly, ran both Alamshar and Dalakhani and reaped a magnificent reward with his charges totally dominating the finish.
Soumillon, crazily, followed a very fast pace and had Dalakhani racing in splendid isolation for most of the journey.
The Ballydoyle pair, High Country and Handel, carried them along at a breakneck gallop, producing a time of 2m, 28.2 seconds, the third fastest time in the history of the race.
When High Country tired after half way, Handel was driven into the lead. Soumillon chased the leaders throughout and was always going to be vulnerable to something coming from behind.
Murtagh, cleverly, minded his own business and gradually worked Alamshar into the contest. Handel, inevitably, cried enough off the home turn and, suddenly, Dalakhani found himself in front.
Soumillon never got a chance to get a blow into the son of Darshaan. No sooner had he edged ahead than Murtagh threw down the gauntlet, offering a fresh and infinitely more potent challenge.
There followed a battle royal. They slugged it out toe-to-toe, before Alamshar forged to the front approaching the final furlong.
Dalakhani, to his credit, didn’t flinch but his exertions had taken their toll and he was never going to get back at the winner.
"He (Soumillon) might be the king of France, but...!”said Murtagh. Never have I seen him so animated after a race.
He came in for fierce criticism after partnering Six Perfections to a desperately unlucky defeat by Yesterday in the Irish 1000 Guineas a couple of weeks earlier.
Indeed, Six Perfections’ trainer, Pascal Bary, refused to speak to Murtagh after the race. But this set the record straight, big time, even if Bary may well fail to see the funny side.
It was a tremendous training performance on the part of John Oxx, like Murtagh enjoying his second success in the Derby, the first coming with Sinndar three years earlier.
Alamshar had been a doubtful runner on Friday, having suffered a recurrence of a back problem.
But Oxx brought in a physiotherapist and chiropractor and extensive work by them got Alamshar back on track.
“I loved the way he went down to the start, it was obvious his back wasn’t hurting him”, said a clearly elated Oxx.
“It was a great race and I knew it would be a battle. If he ran like that at Epsom, (runner-up to Kris Kin) I think he would have won.
“He’s a horse with great courage and stays so well. He travelled really well through the race, he was bombing away.
“He wouldn’t have been here only for the physiotherapist and chiropractor. All going well now the King George at Ascot will be next. That has always been the plan.
“He’s a summer horse and loves fast ground. He has to go for the King George, we couldn’t be waiting on the weather.
“All races are open to him, including the ’Arc. Of course he could go there, if he got his ground, it was fast when Sinndar won it.”
Murtagh milked the rapturous acclaim of the 31,136 attendance for all it was worth as he returned in triumph.
He blessed himself and repeatedly gestured to the sky in grateful thanks. The 1000 Guineas must have been eating away at him and now the monkey was off his back.
“This is magic, pure magic”, he said. “It was a very fast race, but I had a lovely run all the way, beautiful. I was disappointed with the horse at Epsom, but I put that down to him not handling the track.
“He put his head down today and battled, he’s all heart and guts. His will-to-win is incredible.
“It’s hats off to John Oxx for doing such a great job with him. I was having trouble with my back as well and the physiotherapist also worked on me. I was worried and am just glad to be here today.”
Roosevelt, a 150-1 no-hoper, did best of the Ballydoyle six-strong team, staying on to grab a highly creditable third place in front of Brian Boru, who continues to disappoint.
The Great Gatsby, in front of Alamshar at Epsom, ran no sort of race, was in trouble from half-way, finishing a well beaten fifth.
Regarding Roosevelt, Aidan O’Brien said: “He came back from Gowran Park a sick horse, but had been working great.”
The Great Gatsby: “Mick (Kinane) said he ran very flat. He had a very hard race at Epsom, but seemed well at home.”
Brian Boru: “He came home well and it looks as if he wants to go further.”
