Westover claims dominant Irish Derby victory
DOMINANT: Colin Keane onboard Westover wins the Irish Derby. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
There was a time when keeping the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at home was considered quite an achievement, but Ballydoyle’s recent domination of the race, allied to a wealth of training and equine talent in the country, has resulted in successful raids being few and far between.
However, Westover, trained by now four-time Classic-winner Ralph Beckett and carrying the famous Juddmonte colours, ensured back-to-back wins in the race for the UK-based runners by recording a facile success under first-time winner Colin Keane.
Westover was bidding to emulate last year’s winner, Hurricane Lane, who was also third in the Epsom Derby before making the journey across, and he could hardly have been more dominant. Getting a good pitch early was key to his chance and there is scarcely a better rider right now at achieving that than Keane.
One could have some sympathy for Westover’s regular rider, Rob Hornby, whose ‘jocking-off’ received plenty of publicity but electing to avail of the services of Keane was surely a no-brainer for connections.
More important than the fact the three-time Irish champion jockey claimed success in the Juddmonte colours when winning the 2020 Irish 2000 Guineas aboard Siskin, Keane knows the track inside out, and is more experienced at the top level.
All that local knowledge and class was in evidence as Keane had his mount perfectly positioned through the early stages of the race and chose the right time to put his rivals to the sword.
His mount was a little keen through the first furlong but Billy Lee choosing to go on aboard French Claim provided the perfect tow for Westover. Half a mile out, the two were still first and second but the eventual winner was always going the better and Keane set about putting the race to bed as they straightened up.
Fair to say the son of Frankel is more about stamina than speed, which meant the result wasn’t put to bed in strides. However, he wound up his effort all the way up the straight and as he ploughed a lone furrow down the centre of the track, he pulled further and further clear.
Seven lengths separated him and runner-up Piz Badile, who stayed on to good effect, with the front-running French Claim staying on again close home to hold third place.
Epsom Oaks winner Tuesday was never positioned to provide a viable threat, and her fourth-place finish means it will be at least 29 years between fillies winning the race. And that is precisely how long ago it was since Juddmonte last won the race, with Commander In Chief, for legendary duo Henry Cecil and Pat Eddery.
“It’s terrific, I’m thrilled to bits to come here and win,” said Beckett. “I was here with Arthur Moore for two and a half years in the early ‘90s, so it’s great to come back and win this race. I certainly didn’t think that would happen in those days.”
Acknowledging that this was the obvious target after the colt’s luckless third-place finish at Epsom, he added: “It was always a race that would fit him well, and the nature of the way the race would be run today was always going to fit him. But it’s wonderful to get it done.
“I’ve been very lucky to win three Classics, but never with a colt, so it’s a big day for us, certainly. And he’s going to develop from three to four, never mind through the rest of the year, so we’ve got loads to look forward to.”
Making reference to the winning ride, which was as uncomplicated as we’ve come to expect from Keane, he added: “He’s ridden the odd one for me – Ger Lyons is a long-time ally of ours – and so we were all well aware of his talents. He’s the next in a long line of international jockeys from Ireland.
“He gave him a super ride today. He was very cool beforehand, was very clear what he was going to do, and that always helps as it gives everybody confidence.”
For Keane, this was a third Irish Classic success, following on from Siskin in the 2000 Guineas and Even So in the Oaks, both in 2020.
“It’s a massive day, and I’m very grateful to the Juddmonte family for putting me up,” said Keane. “They’ve been very good to me and my boss, Ger Lyons, since they’ve joined the team and, thankfully, we’ve been lucky enough for them. I can’t thank them enough.”
Looking back at the race, he explained: “It was very straightforward today. I want to say a big thank you to Rob Hornby, who told me about the horse this morning. He couldn’t have kept it any simpler for me.
“It was a nice even gallop the whole way. For me, it felt like a piece of work, with one horse in front of me, and we picked him up when we wanted, and our lad stretched the whole way to the line.
“He’s a very good horse, and he proved it today. He got to the line very well and is a horse that will get further.”
Westover could renew rivalry with English Derby winner Desert Crown in next month’s King George at Ascot, and bookmakers reacted to this performance by cutting him to a general 4-1 for that race, for which the Epsom hero is no bigger than 11-8.
