Epsom Derby: There are 27 days until the Irish Derby but already the anticipation has begun after growing indications that Saturday's Epsom Derby hero, Sir Percy, could yet again get the chance to headline a Classic thriller at the Curragh.
Rarely if ever has the 227-year-old sporting institution that is the Epsom Derby witnessed the drama that unfolded at the weekend.
At the end of a pulsating mile and a half around the famous old course, it was the Guineas runner-up Sir Percy who won out in a finish so desperate his trainer was convinced he'd been beaten by the fourth horse.
Considering only two short heads and a head separated the first four home, it's understandable that Marcus Tregoning's initial reaction was wrong, especially since there were many at Epsom willing to believe that Hala Bek probably should have won. A jink to the right in the closing stages meant Hala Bek almost lost Philip Robinson and equally almost certainly lost racing's blue riband in the process.
The good news yesterday, though, was that along with the 66 to 1 runner-up, Dragon Dancer, and the third, Dylan Thomas, all four that flashed past the post in one of the most memorable Derby finishes of all time look like going to the Curragh.
"I think we'll stick to the mile and a half with the Irish Derby a possibility," remarked a slightly bleary-eyed Tregoning.
Both Hala Bek and Dragon Dancer would have to be supplemented into the race but encouragingly for the Curragh, both camps were seriously pondering that option, while Dylan Thomas is already in Ireland's premier Classic.
Yet any talk now about the possible line-up in Kildare next month takes place against the desperately sad reality of who won't be there. Because while Sir Percy's name is enshrined for ever on the most coveted roll of honour in racing, anyone who watched the rags-to-riches colt win will always also have the memory of Horatio Nelson's demise to contend with too.
In contrast to the £16,000 Sir Percy, Aidan O'Brien's horse was regally enough bred to make Saturday's race seem almost like a date with destiny. But pedigree is no defence against injury, and the broken leg Horatio Nelson suffered in the straight was an all-too-public reminder that this can be a terribly cruel game.
Efforts to save him were fruitless. Kieren Fallon reported that Horatio Nelson felt "a bit stiff" at the start but after the colt was trotted a number of times in front of his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, and the racecourse vet, the decision was taken to run him. Such decisions are taken every day of the week without incident. It's Ballydoyle's misfortune that this was a fatal exception.
Martin Dwyer was alongside Fallon when the injury occurred but the Liverpool-born rider then managed to pull off a wonderful piece of cheek by securing a dream run up the rail without which we would now still be coming to terms with the maiden Dargon Dancer's 66 to 1 success.
"It was a very rough race and I had to go where there was room," Dwyer said afterwards, as if steering through disaster is all in a day's work.
Tregoning wasn't fooled, however, and yesterday he was still praising the confidence employed by his jockey.
"Martin has given the horse a wonderful ride and the horse himself has come out of the race fine," he said.
"I'm amazed by him. He's such a street fighter and a warrior. Ultimately we could look at the Champion Stakes at Newmarket or maybe even a tilt at the Arc, which his owners would love."
The runner-up's rider, Darryll Holland, was still coming to terms with defeat, something made even harder by his initial belief that he'd won.
"Johnny Murtagh actually congratulated me," said Holland ruefully. "Since I was a kid in Manchester I've dreamed of winning the Derby so once the result came up I couldn't even talk.
"I understand the Irish Derby could be an option now so hopefully we can win that. And he would be a good thing in a maiden."
The well backed favourite, Visindar, didn't look at home on the camber all the way up the straight and managed only fifth. Yesterday the Aga Khan team indicated they could yet give Visindar another chance in the Irish Derby.
All of which opens the intriguing possibility of another Derby thriller at the Curragh. On Saturday's evidence it will be a race worth waiting for.
4.20 DERBY STAKES 1m 4f 10yds £740,695.10
SIR PERCY b c Mark of Esteem (Ire) - Percy's Lass (A E Pakenham) 9 0 Martin Dwyer (6/1) 1
Dragon Dancer 9 0 D Holland (66/1) 2
Dylan Thomas 9 0 J P Murtagh (25/1) 3
Also: 2/1 fav Visindar 5th, 11/2 Horatio Nelson pulled up, 17/2 Septimus, 9/1 Hala Bek 4th, 9/1 Linda's Lad, 11/1 Papal Bull, 12/1 Championship Point, 25/1 Atlantic Waves, 33/1 Best Alibi 6th, 50/1 Mountain, 66/1 Sixties Icon, 100/1 Before You Go, 150/1 Snoqualmie Boy, 200/1 Sienna Storm, 500/1 Noddies Way. 18 ran. Shd, hd, shd, 2l, 1l. (M Tregoning, Lambourn). Tote: £7.40; £2.80, £10.50, £5.90. Exacta: £500.40. CSF: £384.46. Tricast: £9,025.67.
