Juddmonte homebred Westover emphatically rebounded from his unlucky third in the Cazoo Epsom Derby (G1) earlier this month when he cruised unchallenged to a dominating victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) Saturday at The Curragh.
Westover, quick from the start, dueled for command early before settling to track pacesetter French Claim from second throughout, then drew even to challenge that rival with three furlongs to run. Eagerly responding on cue from jockey Colin Keane, the Frankel colt unleashed a strong rally in the straight and soon went clear, stamping his superiority as he drew away inside the final furlong to post a seven-length triumph.
Trained in England by Ralph Beckett, Westover covered 1 ½ miles in 2:34.80 on turf rated as good. He returned $4.80 in North American pools.
Aidan O'Brien-trained Piz Badile atoned for his 12th at Epsom by finishing best of the rest Saturday, overtaking French Claim a furlong out but could not catch the winner.
French Claim held on to finish third, another two lengths back, in the field of eight 3-year-olds, and Irish Oaks (G1) victress Tuesday, whom O'Brien supplemented to the Irish Derby Tuesday, rallied to finish fourth after racing toward the back of the field.
“I was (a bit keen for a furlong) but once he got in behind one, he gave me a beautiful ride,” Keane told England's Press Association. “He's a monster of a horse, so he is only going to be a better horse next year.”
Beckett said he also expects Westover will get better with age.
“It's important that you go out with your boots on in these occasions and Colin certainly did that today. I really didn't think he would win like that at this stage. He's a big horse and still a work in progress.
“I never felt he was going to stop when he got into his stride. He drifted out a bit into the middle of the track and is still, as I say, a work in progress. I hope there is more to come with him. He has a great temperament and that shone through today.
“This was always a race that would fit in well. The track suits him and it's wonderful to get it done. It's a big day for us.”
Westover won the bet365 Classic Trial (G3) at Sandown on April 22 in his season debut and to the Epsom Derby, where he had traffic trouble in the straight with Rob Hornby aboard. He has a 3-2-1 record from six career starts.
Westover is Juddmonte's 30th homebred classic winner and second Irish Derby winner following Commander in Chief in 1993. He was produced by the Lear Fan mare Mirabilis, who won the 2006 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G3) for trainer Bobby Frankel and finished second in the 2005 Prix de la Foret (G1) at Longchamp. His is a full brother to Monarchs Glen, a stakes winner this year at Royal Ascot.
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