Dylan Thomas poetry in motion as he spreadeagles Derby field
A contest described by Kieren Fallon as “shit-hot”, was turned into a procession by the son of Danehill, who swept clear from the furlong pole.
He gave ice-cool Fallon his second success in this great race - to go with Hurricane Run a year ago - while Aidan O’Brien was adding to previous gains with Desert King, High Chaparral and Galileo. In all O’Brien has now won eleven Irish classics.
I have hardly ever seen Fallon so animated after a race.
Clearly, he very much enjoyed the experience and constantly waved to the ecstatic 30,969 crowd as he returned in triumph.
He tossed his stick into the throng and that was followed by his goggles, a rare show of emotion from this mighty pilot.
“The atmosphere here is terrific”, reported Fallon. “It is great to win for Aidan and for Coolmore.
“I knew travelling right-handed would help. Johnny (Murtagh), who rode him at Epsom, said he was on the wrong leg and couldn’t get him organised.
“I got shuffled back a bit at one stage, but to do it like that was so impressive. When the gaps appeared he was electric.
“It was a tough decision as to what I would ride. But I nearly always leave it to Aidan, then I can’t blame myself afterwards. This horse has bags of toe and travels for fun. He could go back to ten furlongs, it wouldn’t make a difference.”
Epsom Derby runner-up, Dragon Dancer, was soon in front, but was a reluctant leader and refused to settle.
In effect his chance was gone after three furlongs and with a mile to run Heliostatic was sent about his business by Kevin Manning.
They were brave tactics and, for much of the journey, appeared to have a serious chance of succeeding.
Fallon buried Dylan Thomas in behind horses, on the inside, in complete contrast to what happened at Epsom, where he ran much too freely near the front.
Obviously, that was pre-planned by the brains-trust at Coolmore and Ballydoyle and it was a decision destined to reap a rich dividend.
Dylan Thomas swooped with just over a furlong to run and the race was over in a matter of strides. He soon burst clear, crossing the line three and a half lengths in front of Italian Derby hero, Gentlewave, with Epsom Derby sixth Best Alibi in third.
Dragon Dancer, considering his antics in the early stages, ran with plenty credit to claim fourth spot.
Aidan O’Brien was entitled to be well pleased with his work and has few peers when it comes to getting it absolutely right on the big day.
“All the options are now open to him”, said O’Brien. “If Hurricane Run goes for the King George then obviously Dylan Thomas wouldn’t.
“A mile and a quarter will be no problem to him and he would love the pace of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
“He was left in front at Epsom and was going a stride too quick. He has a lot of natural speed and loves to sit in.
“He is improving with every run, most of ours do that. We all thought it would be a good idea to be more patient with him and he might be a different horse ridden that way.
“He has that killer kick which makes them so special. Kieran is unbelievable, the bigger the day the colder he gets.” Owner, John Magnier, too was loud in his praise of Fallon. “If I wanted someone to take penalties in the World Cup it would be Kieren”, said Magnier.
And neither did he leave O’Brien out. “There are plenty people who can train horses in this country, but I am biased and think Aidan is the best.”
Johnny Murtagh was delighted with Gentlewave. Commented Murtagh: “I tracked Kieren, then he went to the inner and I went outside. He quickened and mine just stayed on.
“I liked my horse a lot and there is definitely another big race in him, when he gets an ease in the ground.”
Michael Kinane told Michael Stoute that Best Alibi didn’t stay, while Darryl Holland was making no excuses for Dragon Dancer.
Said Holland: “He got a bit worked up heading to the start and was very keen. They got away from me down hill, but he stayed on.”
