High drama as Chaparral crowned Champion
The Aidan O’Brien-trained dual Derby-winner proved he has fully recovered from the shoulder injury sustained in the spring when fighting courageously to hold Falbrav and Islington by a head and a neck in a thrilling climax.
And he then survived a Stewards Enquiry and an objection lodged by Falbrav’s rider Darryll Holland for “intimidation” inside the final furlong.
Recording his fifth Group 1 success, and his first over ten furlongs, substantially boosting his value as a stallion, High Chaparral was suited by the strong pace set by stable-companion France and was always handy before edging past Moon Ballad at the furlong pole.
Hard-driven by Michael Kinane, High Chaparral undoubtedly edged to his left through the final furlong, tightening up Falbrav, but he held on grimly to scoop the €589,000 ‘pot’.
A delighted and relieved Aidan O’Brien said: “He’s a great horse and proved it today. We knew he had come on well from his first run but we’ve always believed that he would hit his peak for his third run.”
“He has always had loads of pace and he handles fast ground. But because of his shoulder injury in the spring, we had to be careful with him. The original plan was to drop him back to a mile in the ‘Lockinge’, but that had to be shelved because of the injury.”
“So the ten furlongs today wasn’t a worry. But I suppose it was asking him a lot stepping from the Royal Whip into such a tough Group 1. But he has done himself proud today. And if he’s okay in the morning, the ‘Arc’ will be his next race.”
Winner of the Racing Post Trophy at two, two Derbys and the Breeders Cup Turf as a three-year-old, High Chaparral substantially boosted his value as a stallion with this lion-hearted victory over ten furlongs.
Winning rider Michael Kinane, who has earlier initiated a double for Ballydoyle on 2/9 shot Tycoon, was full of praise for his mount. “It was a super performance by High Chaparral after the troubles he had in the spring. He was competitive from a long way out but idled a bit, as usual, in front.”
“I was aware that something might come at me late and, although my horse rolled a bit to his left, as far as I’m concerned, there was always room on my inner for the second horse and the problems he had earlier in the race had nothing to do with me.”
Luca Cumani and Darryll Holland left Leopardstown disappointed and frustrated, believing Falbrav should have been awarded the race in the Stewards Room.
Holland declared: “My horse would have won if High Chaparral didn’t drift.
“We were desperately unlucky. The Stewards didn’t agree with me. But I was on Falbrav and I think differently.”
And Cumani, who stressed the quality of the race in his post-race comments, summed up his feelings, “Falbrav was probably the moral winner, but morals do not put bread on the table.”
Islington ran a cracker to finish a close third, to the delight of trainer Michael Stoute who expressed himself “over the moon” with her display. “She settled beautifully and finished better than anything. She’s a real gutsy filly who gives everything.”
Favourite Alamshar, winner of the Budweiser Irish Derby and ‘King George’ could finish only fourth.
Both John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh questioned whether he had not handled the left-handed track. Oxx said: “He mightn’t be in love with a left-handed track and was never travelling today.
“He never seemed to be happy and was leaning out for Johnny.” Oxx suggested that the plan to run Alamshar in the Breeders Cup Turf at Santa Anita (left-handed) is now “up in the air.”
Connections of fifth-placed Moon Ballad expressed themselves happy with his performance.
