Benvenuto Cellini put his Epsom disappointment behind him by leading home a one-two-three for Aidan O’Brien in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
The Chester Vase winner was the clear favourite to provide the Ballydoyle handler with his 12th victory in the Derby at Epsom three weeks ago, but a slow start and slow ground saw him finish down the field before he was controversially declared a non-runner after it transpired he still had a leg on a shelf in the stalls when the gates opened.
With Ryan Moore sticking with him, rather than switching to Epsom hero and stablemate Christmas Day, the son of Frankel was the 7/4 market leader to reward those who kept the faith – and while he missed the break slightly again, he soon recovered and travelled smoothly into contention before knuckling down to see off Christmas Day by a length and three-quarters.
Pierre Bonnard was just a neck further behind in third, with previously unbeaten Raaheeb back in fourth.
Moore said of the winner: “He has a lot of quality, he showed that at Leopardstown last year and he did at Chester.
“Epsom was just a mess. Obviously we had the stalls (problem) and everything, but with the ground being the way it was, that was the only time I’ve ridden in the Derby when we haven’t stayed on the far side. It was an unusual set of circumstances and the way Epsom gets when it’s like that you have to be close to the pace and because of what happened he had no hope.
“He’s still a little bit babyish. There’s nothing wrong with his temperament. Unfortunately at Epsom the horse beside me kicked out, he kicked out and we made a mistake, but slowly those things are getting ironed out, hopefully he’ll continue to learn and continue to do things better.
“He’s a beautiful mover and it will be interesting to see what the future holds.”
On whether he thought about riding Christmas Day instead, the rider added: “I spoke with Aidan as I rushed through the airport on Friday morning and we decided we’d stick with him (Benvenuto Cellini) hoping the ground was going to be nicer and we believed he had quality.
“But to be honest, we always felt all three of them could win and they’ve finished one-two-three. On different days with different circumstances, any of them could have won.”
O’Brien was winning his 18th Irish Derby and his third Derby of the year, having won at Epsom with Christmas Day and saddled the first three home in the French version – the Prix du Jockey Club – headed by Constitution River.
The trainer said: “We always liked him (Benvenuto Cellini) and he had a very good run in Chester before Epsom. Obviously all the things seemed to conspire against him at Epsom and it was very difficult for Ryan. I thought it was probably impossible to make up two furlongs – he wasn’t beaten one furlong, he was beaten two in Epsom.
“I’m delighted for Ryan because it was a difficult decision. A lot of people put a lot of hard work into it and I’m grateful to them all.”
Having now met at Epsom and at the Curragh, Benvenuto Cellini and Christmas Day look set to chart different paths for the rest of season.
Considering future plans, O’Brien added: “Benvenuto is a beautiful mover with a lot of class. Ryan felt we’d rather go back to a mile and a quarter than go any further than a mile and a half, so that’s class.
“He could go to the King George, or if he needs a break he’ll have a break. The Grand Prix de Paris might come too soon so I’d imagine he might have a little rest and could go for the Irish Champion Stakes or something like that. He will also be well suited for America – fast ground with pace on – so he could be ready made for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“Christmas Day will probably be going the Leger route, he’ll stay very well.”
Part-owner John Magnier added: “It’s a pity Peter and Stephanie (Brant, part-owners) can’t be here. They were coming to Epsom but she fell ill in London and you know what happened the horse, he was a non-runner.
“Peter understands the breeding industry and he knows this game from A through Z. He was a top polo player himself.
“It’s no accident that he would be involved in breeding a Derby winner. He must be the best three-year-old that there is at the moment.”
Purview sets up some lofty targets with International win
Purview further enhanced his growing reputation with a comprehensive victory in the Dubai Duty Free International Stakes.
Dermot Weld’s colt looked an exciting prospect when second to the top-class Delacroix in last year’s Leopardstown Derby Trial and while he was beaten on his next couple of starts, he signed off for 2025 with a Listed win at Cork and looked better than ever when streaking clear on his return in last month’s Orby Stakes.
The son of Kingman was an even-money favourite to claim a first Group-race win on his return to the Curragh and after travelling well in the slipstream of Sindria for much of the 10-furlong journey, he was pushed clear by Colin Keane to win comfortably by three-quarters of a length from Trustyourinstinct.
Purview claimed Group Three honours at the Curragh
“I was delighted for the horse and for the owners. Juddmonte have been great supporters of mine and I appreciate the family’s support,” said Weld.
“He’s a very talented colt, he’s beginning to fill into the promise that I always thought he would. I think there is a long year ahead of him still and we’ll look at different options.
“I’ve always been thinking that at the end of this year he would come to his peak so today was only a step along the way.”
The Rosewell House handler expects Purview to test his powers at Group One level later in the year, having identified targets at home and abroad.
When asked if he was tempted to go to Royal Ascot, Weld added: “I think I was always going to bring him here. I know I was bringing him back from a mile and a half, which we now know is probably his optimum distance.
“The Irish Champion Stakes is obviously a definite target for him, seeing that he won today. Colin and I were fortunate enough a few years ago to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf (Tarnawa in 2020) and I think he could be a horse for that race.
“He’s entered for the Arc as well and I’ve always seen the end of the year for him, but the Arc can get very heavy. As you saw today he has a nice bit of pace.
“Colin rode him right up on the pace so he’s a horse that will handle Keeneland very well.
“He’s a very smart colt and I still think we have more to come.”