Auguste Rodin wins Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes

This race was an honest one, run at a strong gallop which offered no hiding place, and he came out on top under a beautifully judged ride by Ryan Moore.

WINNER: Auguste Rodin, left, with Ryan Moore up, on their way to winning the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Auguste Rodin, a dual Derby winner and, as of Saturday afternoon at Leopardstown, a Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes winner, continues to struggle to capture imagination. It’s an unusual distinction but he is clearly an exceptional talent, trumped only by a trainer, Aidan O’Brien, who serves up brilliance with such distinction and regularity that we seldom pause to appreciate the greatness in our presence.

Racing fans and, in particular, punters like consistency and certainty, and when that is allied to remarkable ability, there are the ingredients for a star to light up any season. For all that Saturday’s success was his fourth Group 1 victory in just nine outings, Auguste Rodin has struggled in that department.