By George, what a classic performance
Sometimes commentators are simply inspired as the excitement mounts and this was certainly such an occasion.
Holt captured the moment perfectly for most watching, as George Washington produced a quite remarkable display of dynamic speed.
Most geniuses probably live on the edge of madness and George Washington always gives the impression of being a bit like a volcano just waiting to erupt.
If he was human you’d imagine he would spend a fair portion of his time talking to the police. Picture him, for instance, driving a car or sitting on a plane!
There have to have been times when Aidan O’Brien, or at least someone at Ballydoyle, has been sorely tempted to give him one decent clip round the ear.
Channel 4 did a brilliant job before the race. They showed us O’Brien and his team saddling the gorgeous one and he tried their collective patience.
His behaviour previously, when taken to the Curragh for a gallop, convinced many that he shouldn’t be touched with a 40 foot pole at Newmarket.
The manner in which he ducked across the track and out though a gap in the rail, as he was lobbing down to where he was to start his canter, was extraordinary.
He has a record of only doing what suits him and, after winning on Saturday, proceeded to behave like a mule.
All last week, however, rumours were circulating that George Washington, who had been a major order in the ante-post market for a long time anyway, was going to be the medium of some huge wagers.
It seemed as if all those you would normally associate with backing Ballydoyle horses wanted to be on. It was quite amazing that a colt with so many quirks was set to be the focus of such a punt.
And the money did materialise. There was absolutely no doubt the layers on track set out to get George Washington, big-time.
The opening show of 2-1, most firms were shorter than that in the morning, told us all we needed to know.
Fielding against him was a decision they were soon to regret. We watched as he went through all the rates, 15-8, 7-4 and 13-8, before finally lodging at 6-4.
To reduce a tight opening price to an even tighter price, in a classic, takes an enormous wedge of cash. There is no doubt the big players, those who knew, came out to play.
He then treated layers and punters alike to an astonishing performance. He never really settled through the race, you know, and yet could kick past his rivals as if they were standing still.
Not since El Gran Senor, also in the 2000 Guineas, has one been so excited by any horse.
You can now argue George has no more to prove. His future as a stallion is already assured, because, spoilt brat and all as he may be, when it came to the day that counted he delivered in spades.
Aidan O’Brien’s greatest training performance? Yes.
* LIKED that two-year-old newcomer of Dermot Weld’s, Blackberry Boy, at Gowran Park on Sunday.
He was light in the market, but impressed the way he buckled down in the closing stages to beat 2-5 shot Yario, who had the benefit of a previous outing.
The encouraging part, though, was the fact the third horse was a whopping five and a half lengths adrift of the second.
Interestingly, Weld constantly reminds us he has no stars this season, but keeps banging in winners all the same.
* SPENT a pleasant few days at Killarney and I have to say there was a real freshness, and a sense of cleanliness, about the place.
Plenty improvements have been completed, including a new weigh-room, press room, bar and a corporate suite. Manager, John Looney, reckons it cost in the region of e2m and they got real value for money.
There was a great atmosphere all week and it clearly augurs well for the future of the track. Roll on the four days in July.
And have to relate a story from Killarney, which has nothing to with racing, but just demands repeating.
It was told by racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon, of the dulcet tones, who is rapidly making a name for himself. It seems there was a proposal to promote the Lakes of Killarney, with a suggestion that putting a gondola, or two, on the water might be a good idea.
A local politician, however, legend has it, was immediately against the notion and, according to Hannon, came up with the following nugget. Says your man: “It’s all very well putting gondolas on the lakes, but who’s going to feed them in the winter!”
