A year on from suffering severe injuries at the 2023 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, a triumphant day was enjoyed by Wayne Lordan. He scored a win aboard Aidan O’Brien’s backup, Henri Matisse, in the Gain Railway Stakes. Despite Henri Matisse’s surprising win a month prior on the same course and at the same distance, Ryan Moore overlooked him to ride the 11/8 favourite, Tunbridge Wells.
Nonetheless, it was Lordan who victoriously manoeuvred Henri Matisse from the rear to the forefront, sealing the win by half a length. Reflecting on the race, Lordan mentioned their strategy, saying the six-furlong race might have been a bit too short, but the horse managed to finish well, especially in the last half furlong.
Lordan mounted his comeback to racing in February after his disastrous fall from San Antonio in the previous year’s Derby. His injuries were significant, including a concussion, fractures in his legs and elbow, and a severe arm laceration.
This win marked O’Brien’s 14th victory in the Group Two, matching the existing record. O’Brien considered the Futurity and then the National Stakes as the next progression for the winning horse. He also humorously admitted his fault in misjudging the horses, causing Moore to ride the less successful one.
Billy Lee’s determination yielded significant results as he emerged victorious in the €100,000 Rockingham. Breaking from stall one, Lee took Amazon Lady, a 22/1 outsider, to the far rail where she flourished in isolation, winning by 1½ lengths.
The successful horse is carrying a foal sired by New Bay, and could end her racing career aiming to secure black type recognition in a Naas Listed race the following month.
A tight finish in the Dash saw victory for My Mate Alfie, steered to success by Ger Lyons and Colin Keane. Lyons commented, “A superior thoroughbred will typically outdo him at that level but he’s consistently competitive and will make a splendid four-year-old. I believe he handles any ground and wasn’t concerned about the rain hindering his performance.”
The Derby programme’s extensive list of nine races, a first for Curragh in recent memory, was initiated with a winning favourite, Sharinay, who moved off the rail in ample time to confirm a prestigious handicap victory.
Trainer Tom Gibney, who got triumph in the Irish Grand National with Intense Raffles, also got triumphant on Derby day with Booyea in another top-tier handicap, despite the horse’s erratic behaviour prior to the race. Gibney admitted that he wasn’t adequately prepared, stating, “He was really upset before the race. He’s always been highly strung but had mellowed considerably. Today he was as excited as ever, but a win at Curragh, particularly on Derby day, is nevertheless extraordinary.”
Booyea’s jockey, Gavin Ryan, faced a four-day suspension for careless riding following the race.
Meanwhile, the three-year-old Azada entered the Listed Celebration Stakes as the favourite but only finished third, losing to top-weighted Lord Massusus and rider Gary Carroll.