After having ridden all four Aidan O’Brien Derby probables on Tuesday at Ballydoyle, Fallon
has picked Horatio Nelson as his mount on Saturday. The other O’Brien runners are Mountain,
Dylan Thomas and Septimus. The last-named won the Dante Stakes at York in the third week of
May. In 2004 and 2005, North Light and Motivator won the Dante before emerging victorious in
the Derby. The Derby is called the Vodafone Derby because the European mobile phone giant
sponsors the Oaks and The Derby day races.
Horation Nelson came up with a lackluster showing in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.
George Washington, Kieren up and trained by Aidan O’Brien, was the 6-4 choice and won easily.
On Tuesday, after the workouts, O’Brien said, “Kieren rode all four in individual bits of
work. He was most pleased with Horation Nelson.” Horatio Nelson’s odds came down to 5-1
from 9-1. As an exceptional two year-old, Horatio Nelson was expected to be a major factor
in the British Classics this year. He suffered a defeat in the final start in 2005. He
needs to reverse a two-race losing streak.
Martin Dwyer rides Sir Percy. Unbeaten in 2005 as a freshman, Sir Percy had the distinction
of beating Horatio Nelson in the Dewhurst States. In the 2,000 Guineas, Sir Percy finished
on after a spot of trouble to be the bridesmaid. After a break in training, trainer Marcus
Tregoning has pronounced his charge fit and ready for the big race on Saturday. Martin Dwyer,
Indian racing fans will recall, rode to Zurbaran to victory in the 2003 Indian Invitation
Cup at Hyderabad.
Lanfranco Dettori has not won the Derby yet and will be aboard Linda’s Lad. Trained by Andre
Fabre, Linda’s Lad was victorious in the Lingfield Derby Trial. With the Godolphin
establishment shutting down operations for the time being, Dettori became a free agent.
There are plots and sub-plots. There are stories and more stories. There are surprises and
bigger surprises. Nothing, however, has touched the pre-eminent position occupied by Visindar. A son
of Sinndar, Visindar won two races in two starts as a two year-old. As a sophomore, he won
his only race at Saint Cloud in Paris. Detractors say that Visindar has beaten little or
nothing and that Epsom’s challenging 12-furlong course is very different from France’s flat
courses and he will fall victim to Epsom’s harsh demands. The height of
London's famous Nelson's Column in Trafalgar is 471 feet. At
Epsom, horses climb that height in the first six
furlongs. As they approach the final bend, known as Tattenham Corner,
there is a left turn that is sharp. The course goes downhill. The
homestretch is both uphill and on a camber before dropping in the last
furlong . The 12-furlong trip is an up and down ride. That is the case
critics of Visindar are making.
Andre Fabre’s record in the Derby
is nothing to write home about. The Aga Khan owns Visindar and he also owned Sinndar,
Visindar’s father. Sinndar won the Derby and the Arc de Triomphe in 2000. Christophe
Soumillon, who will turn 25 on Sunday, rides the French star. The precocious Belgian has let
down his guard more than once. He has said,” Visindar gives me the same
feel that Hurricane Run and Dalakhani gave.”
None of this seems to
bother the satchelmen in England and the French horse is the firm
favourite. Some betting firms offer 7-4 on Visindar but 6-4 is the
norm.
“Good ground on Friday for the Coronation Cup and the Oaks is possible,” said Andrew Cooper,
clerk of the course at Epsom Downs. That would mean that the track will offer a level-playing
field for all the horses. I have been in London since Monday morning. It has been dry but
there is a definite chill in the air.
Geoff Lewis is the Guest of Honor over the Derby weekend. He rode in India and especially in
Kolkata four decades ago.
