Dubai: Twenty one years after Balanchine gave Godolphin their first triumph in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1), Jack Hobbs, a horse named after one of England’s most famous cricketers, stormed to victory in the 150th running of the colt’s Classic at the Curragh on Saturday.
Runner-up in the English equivalent three weeks ago, the John Gosden-trained son of Halling exhibited an incredible turn of foot and acceleration when asked for effort by William Buick to romp home a five-length winner over Storm The Stars, who is owned by Shaikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum.
The winner became the first British-trained horse to land the Irish Classic since Commander in Chief in 1993 and only the third Godolphin horse to win a Derby after Lammtarra won the English equivalent in 1995.
“This horse is improving all the time and John has done a great job with him,” said Buick, while Gosden confirmed that the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, France, would be his principal target.
“We’ll put him away now and go for the Prix Niel and then on to the Arc (Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe),” he added.
Top Irish handler Aidan O’Brien has dominated the blue riban race with eight victories in the last nine years, but had to be content with third place, which was secured by his son Joseph O’Brien aboard Giovanni Canaletto.
Jack Hobbs gifted Scandinavian-born Buick a maiden Derby victory and his biggest success after the Dubai World Cup (G1) earlier this year with Prince Bishop.
Gosden, who captured the Epsom Derby earlier this month with Jack Hobbs’ stable-companion Golden Horn, was also creating history of his own by winning a first Irish Derby.
Jack Hobbs became Godolphin’s 222 Group 1 winner since the stable was created in 1992 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Godolphin were also champion owners in Ireland in 1994 and 1998.
British bookmakers Sky Bet cut the winner from 14/1 to 8/1 for the Arc (Longchamp, France October 4) with Storm The Stars now a 5/1 chance for the St Leger (Doncaster, England September 11).
