Los Angeles hands O’Brien record-extending 16th Irish Derby
Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien once again showcased his training brilliance as he sent out Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) third Los Angeles (3 c Camelot – Frequential by Dansili) to go two places better in the Irish equivalent (Gr 1, 1m 4f) at the Curragh on Sunday, in what as a record-extending 16th success in the race for the trainer.
Having held an unbeaten record before his third placing at Epsom, including winning the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Gr 1, 2000m) as a juvenile, the son of Camelot (Montjeu) was sent off the 13-8 second-favourite to come out on top in a rematch with Epsom Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Gleneagles).
Ridden by Ryan Moore, who was landing his second Irish Derby, Los Angeles took up the lead rounding the home bend and, having been immediately challenged by the James Fanshawe-trained favourite Ambiente Friendly at the three-furlong pole, batted off that rival and stayed on well to always hold the fast-finishing runner-up Sunway (Galiway) by three-quarters of a length.
Ambiente Friendly dropped back to third inside the closing stages, seemingly outstayed by the first two home after a good gallop was enforced. He was eventually beaten one and a quarter lengths by the winner.
“The track suited him here and he stays well,” Moore said of the winner. “He is a big strong horse and he seems to handle most types of ground. He hasn’t done a lot wrong in his life.
“You can’t speak highly enough of Aidan and his team and I am very fortunate to get to ride them.”
A brother to the Group-placed Australian winner Hector De Maris, Los Angeles is the fourth foal out of the unraced Dansili (Danehill) mare Frequential. He is now a best-priced 3-1 for September’s English St Leger Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 6.5f) at Doncaster.
“We were delighted with him in Epsom,” the winning trainer said. “We thought he would come on for the run and Ryan gave him a great ride.”
Los Angeles is raced by a partnership that includes Westerberg, John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. The win provided Tabor with an incredible 18th victory in the race.
“It is good to have the Epsom form hold up,” Magnier said. “He is a good stamp of a horse, there is no doubt about that. He won a Group 1 as a two-year-old and maybe he will get better still.”