Curragh (IRE) SATURDAY, 29 JUNE 2013. DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH DERBY (Group 1) (3yo). Ruler of the Irish Derby on for eighth straight win

Ruler of The World - Epsom 1/6/2013

Ruler of The World (far right) is a best-priced 11-10 to win the Irish Derby

PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

BY STUART RILEY6:06PM 28 JUN 2013 

OVER the last seven years Aidan O’Brien has ruled the Irish Derby with an iron fist. Not since 2005, when Hurricane Run carried Coolmore colours to victory for Andre Fabre, has a horse heralding from outside Ballydoyle won the Darley-sponsored Classic.

Curragh (IRE)SATURDAY, 29 JUNE 2013. DUBAI DUTY FREE IRISH DERBY (Group 1) (3yo)

  • Winner: €725,000, Runners: 9, Distance: 1m4f, Going: Good To Firm

1250000.00 guaranteed For 3yo Weights colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb Confirmed 11 Penalty value 1st€725,000.00 2nd €237,500.00 3rd €112,500.00 4th €37,500.00 5th €25,000.00 6th €12,500.00

NO. DRAW 
FORM		 HORSE AGE WGT 
OR		 JOCKEY 
TRAINER RTF%		 TS RPR  
14162-34 Owner details CAP O´RUSHES

9
 3
9-0
—
 95 116
 
 
2951-30 Owner details FESTIVE CHEER

28
 3
9-0
109
 79 124
 
 
3115-33 Owner details GALILEO ROCK

28
 3
9-0
117
 101 132
 
 
421412 Owner details LIBERTARIAN

28
 3
9-0
—
 108 132
 
 
5641-32 Owner details LITTLE WHITE CLOUD

34
 3
9-0
106
 91 120
 
 
677-2118 Owner details RALSTON ROAD b1

8
 3
9-0
93
 105 109
 
 
78111 Owner details RULER OF THE WORLD p

28
 3
9-0
120
 113 135
 
 
83111-21 Owner details SUGAR BOY

64
 3
9-0
112
 97 125
 
 
9515-231 Owner details TRADING LEATHER

20
 3
9-0
115
 113 129
 
 
Victories courtesy of Dylan Thomas, Soldier Of Fortune, Frozen Fire, Fame And Glory, Cape Blanco, Treasure Beach and Camelot have seen O’Brien reign the Irish Derby for the last seven years. And his dominance has run deeper than just the winners. In that time O’Brien has saddled 29 of the 69 runners (42 per cent) and has saddled the first three home on three occasions.

Last year, when saddling the overwhelming favourite Camelot, was the first time since Hurricane Run got the better of Scorpion that O’Brien relied on less than three runners. Perhaps it is a reflection of the regard in which Ruler Of The World is held that O’Brien only fields Festive Cheer as back up this year.

“Ruler Of The World has been fine since Epsom,” said the trainer. “We haven’t asked him to do a lot since the Derby as he isn’t a colt who needs much work. We’re happy with him and we know he handles the track. The ground should be fine for him.”

Galileo, in 2001, and Camelot both carried unbeaten records into the Irish Derby and if successful like them Ruler Of The World will become the 17th horse to complete the English-Irish Derby double.

Unraced at two, Ruler Of The World returns to the track where he made a successful debut back in April. Not since that 1m2f maiden has he been partnered by Joseph O’Brien, who will be on board here, with Ryan Moore stepping in at Chester in the Vase and at Epsom.

Seamie Heffernan, who rode back-to-back winners of the race in 2007 and 2008, partners Festive Cheer, who finished tenth behind his stablemate at Epsom.

“Festive Cheer was a bit disappointing at Epsom,” said O’Brien. “We were expecting him to run better. He seems in good form and, hopefully, he will perform better this time.”

The ground at the Curragh is good to firm on the round course and good, good to firm in places on the straight track. Some light rain is forecast for Saturday morning.

fonte: RacingPost