Tenth Epsom Derby for Aidan O’Brien

Kevin Coleman trained shock 40/1 winner Akecheta to take the seven-furlong maiden at Tipperary on Tuesday. Ridden by Shane Kelly, the four-year-old stayed on best to prevail by half-a-length.

Truly Enchanting kept on strongly inside the final furlong to win the five-furlong two-year-old maiden for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. The 100/30 chance, owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith won by three-and-three-quarter lengths.

Staysound Susie won the 5-furlong three-year-old plus maiden on the same card for Andrew Slattery and Ben Coen. Owned by the Dreamers & Believers Syndicate, the 2/1 chance made all to win by one-and-a-half lengths.

Joey Sheridan got up close home on 9/2 chance Cuban Grey to win the five-furlong handicap for trainer Patrick McKenna. Owned by the McKenna Partnership, the gelding beat Improving by half-a-length.

Rachael Blackmore rode the Henry De Bromhead trained mare She's A Fine Wine to win the two-mile handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe on Tuesday. The 7/1 chance led close home to beat Je T'Ai Porte by half-a-length.

John Nallen both owned and trained Minella Hollow to win the concluding two-mile bumper. Ridden by Johnny Barry, the 7/2 chance ran green but still managed to win by three-and-three-quarter lengths.

David Marnane trained Sir Yoshi to win the opening five-furlong maiden at Tipperary on Wednesday. Carrying the now familiar colours of MRC International, the 9/4 favourite asserted close home under jockey Luke McAteer to beat Passing Phase half-a-length.

The Aidan O'Brien trained Surpass made a winning debut in the seven-furlong maiden, staying on strongly from over a furlong out to get up close home under Ryan Moore to win by a neck. Sent off 13/8, the colt was owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor.

Joe Murphy was also amongst the winners, sending out 9/1 chance Status Green to win the nine-furlong handicap under Gary Carroll. The West Awake Five Partnership owned gelding stayed on strongly to score by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

Amy Jo Hayes rode Moonlit Mist for David Harry Kelly to win the one-mile two-furlong handicap at Fairyhouse on Thursday. Owned by Eoin Ryan, the 22/1 chance beat Lady Christa by half-a-length.

Paddy Twomey trained Countess Of Tyrone to win the two-mile listed race at Down Royal on Friday. Ridden by Billy Lee, the 7/2 chance held on well to score by a neck for owner Robert Moran.

John Burke trained Our Bobby to win the two-mile four-furlong handicap hurdle at Listowel on Saturday. Ridden by Eoin Walsh, the 11/1 chance scored by two-and-a-half lengths in the colours of the trainer’s sister Elaine.

Jake Coen won his first race over fences when riding the Gordon Elliott trained Purse Price to win the opening one-mile seven-furlong beginners chase at Tramore on Saturday.

Owned by Pioneer Racing, the 12/1 chance led before the second last, keeping on well to win by eight lengths. Adam Ryan won the two-mile bumper on that card on the well backed 8/11f Glannagaullitehous. Trained by Jonathan Sweeney, the Apex Flight Syndicate owned mare led over a furlong out, going on to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Paddy Twomey trained the Billy Lee ridden American Bar to make a winning debut in the six-furlong fillies maiden at Listowel on Sunday. Owned by Bond Thoroughbred Limited, the 13/8f led inside the final furlong to win by half-a-length.

Kevin Coleman's Coumshingaun overcame a wide draw under Dylan Browne McMonagle to win the six-furlong handicap on the same card. Sent off 11/4 favourite, the Eileen Coleman owned filly led inside the final furlong to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Aidan O'Brien won the one-mile conditions race with 2/1 favourite The Liffey. Owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the Wayne Lordan partnered colt won by two lengths.

Gavin Ryan won the one-mile handicap on 12/1 chance Daonethatgotaway. Owned by John Martin, the Mark Fahey trained gelding won by a neck.

Niall Moore rode Shraheen to win the two-mile handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan on Sunday. Trained by Philip Fenton, the 11/2 chance stayed on well to win by two-and-three-quarter lengths for owner Thomas Coleman.

Epsom

Two legends of the training game landed Epsom Classic success at Epsom over the weekend.

On Friday, Ezeliya stormed clear to gift the 75-year-old Dermot Weld a 25th Classic win across both sides of the Irish Sea, 43 years after Blue Wind landed the master trainer’s first Oaks triumph in 1981.

Winning jockey Chris Hayes (36) may not have taken his first breath when Blue Wind crossed the line, but he offered a masterclass in timing to carry the three-year-old home at just the right moment on Epsom's hallowed turf.

Weld said, “I thought Chris Hayes gave her a peach of a ride, had her in a beautiful position throughout the race. It’s a very special day, the competition is very keen nowadays and we are very fortunate to have a filly as good as this. She is a beautiful filly to train.”

Weld has accumulated a long-list of legendary accolades across his lengthy career, becoming the first European trainer to saddle the winner of the prestigious Melbourne Cup in 1993 and holding the all-time Irish winning most trainer record until broken by Willie Mullins last month. Epsom Downs has always been a special place for Weld, and he shows no signs of slowing down. The trainer rode and trained the winner of the 1975 amateurs' Derby, Lane Court, and his insight into the contours of the track is still paying dividends 49 years later.

Hayes is no stranger to Classic success either and enjoyed every moment of his Oaks triumph. He said: “It’s a little bit surreal. When you dream of the way things work out and if you ever got an opportunity to win these races, that was it. From the moment I got on her, she never turned a hair, she settled so cool and was chilled out at the back of the gate.”

Also on Friday, Aidan O'Brien’s Luxembourg earned a fourth Group 1 victory through the hands of Ryan Moore in the Coronation Cup. And 24 hours later, City Of Troy silenced the doubters by storming to a redemptive Derby triumph for the pair.

Last season’s champion juvenile delivered an awesome performance to claim a record-extending tenth Derby win for O’Brien. In the same fashion as stablemate Auguste Rodin twelve months ago, City Of Troy bounced back from a heavy defeat at the 2000 Guineas, proving O’Brien is capable of producing magic repeatedly.

Many may have doubted the three-year-old Justify colt, but O’Brien was unwavering in his belief and hailed City Of Troy as the best Derby winner he has trained - some compliment considering the company he keeps among that list.

Upcoming Meetings

Curragh – Wednesday, June 5 (First Race 4.50pm)

Leopardstown – Thursday, June 6 (First Race 4.55pm)

Fairyhouse – Friday, June 7 (First Race 5.10pm)

Clonmel – Friday, June 7 (First Race 5.20pm)

Navan – Saturday, June 8 (First Race 1.45pm)

Punchestown – Saturday, June 8 (First Race 1.57pm)

Punchestown – Sunday, June 9 (First Race 1.10pm)