O’Brien Brings Strong Hand to 2011 Irish Derby

The trainer that has won five straight Irish Derbies brings an exceptionally strong hand to the race on June 4.  Aidan O’Brien’s hand is so strong in the 0 Irish Derby that many horse racing fans have already put O’Brien into the winner’s circle.

O’Brien has owned the Irish Derby, run at &frac; miles over the Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare, in recent history saddling the last five winners.  The Coolmore Stud trainer took home the Derby trophy in 006 with Dylan Thomas.  He won it again in 007 with Soldier of Fortune and in 008 with Frozen Fire.  In 009, O’Brien took home top honors in the Irish Derby with Fame And Glory and then again in 00 with Cape Blanco.  Aidan O’Brien has won the Irish Derby two other times with the brilliant Galileo in 00 and with the exceptional High Chaparral in 00.

Arguably the best thoroughbred trainer in the world, O’Brien saddles 4 of the 9 entrants for the 0 Irish Derby.  Coolmore’s best chance appears to be to 4 shot Treasure Beach.  The horse is the second choice in the wagering behind chalky Carlton House.  Treasure Beach goes into the Irish Derby after finishing second in both the Group 3 Vase and, ahead of Carlton House who finished third, in the Group Investec Derby on June 4.    Seville, the 6/ third choice trained by O’Brien, finished second to Carlton House in the Group Dante Stakes in May but finished 0th in the Investec Derby.  Roderic O’Conner at 9/ and Memphis Tennessee at 0/ both appear to have a long shot’s chance to win the Derby.

But all of O’Brien’s horses will have to beat the 6/4 favorite, Carlton House.  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II owns the son of Street Cry who was brilliant when taking home top honors in the Group Dante Stakes but gave way in the stretch at Epsom in the Investec Derby to finish third.  The Sir Michael Stoute trainee figures to be awfully tough to run down in the Irish Derby, though, and rates as the deserving favorite.

The only other horse going off at less than double-digit odds besides Carlton House, Treasure Beach and Seville, is Native Khan.  Saddled by Edward Dunlap, Native Khan often times provides a good showing having finished fourth in the Group Racing Post Trophy, third in the Group English 000 Guineas and fifth in the Group Investec Derby. 

Below are the horses entered, along with odds, for the 0 Irish Derby.

 

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