Ruler of the World in command at Epsom as Approach flops
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Ruler of the World continued his rapid progress by
prevailing in Saturday’s Group 1 Derby at Epsom, while heavily-favored Dawn
Approach gave way badly and finished a tailed-off last, confirming fears about
his suspect stamina.
Now unbeaten in just three starts, Ruler of the World bucked two trends in
the process: unraced at two, he became the first horse since Commander in Chief
in 1993 to win the Derby without juvenile experience. And no horse since the
mighty Shergar in 1981 had won the Chester Vase en route to Epsom glory.
Ryan Moore, who rode Ruler of the World at Chester, stayed aboard for the
Derby when the trainer’s son, Joseph O’Brien, opted for the more-experienced
Battle of Marengo. The decision was understandable, since Ruler of the World
only made his debut at the Curragh in April, but it paved the way for Moore to
land his second Derby victory, following Workforce in 2010.
O’Brien was winning his fourth Blue Riband, with Ruler of the World joining
his sire Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002) and Camelot (2012) on the honor
roll.
Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Ruler of the
World was giving the Coolmore principals their third straight Derby. Prior to
Camelot’s victory a year ago, their Pour Moi scored for trainer Andre Fabre in
2011.
“We feel very lucky to be standing right here,” John Magnier said.
“We are going through a good patch and that’s the way it goes. Everybody
knows how good my father-in-law was (Vincent O’Brien) and this fellow (Aidan)
isn’t that bad either.”
The champion Irish trainer had entered five runners in a bid to topple the
hitherto unbeaten Dawn Approach. Going into the 234th running of the world’s
premier classic, it was universally supposed that the O’Brien battalion would
set a ferocious pace to expose any stamina flaws in last year’s European
champion juvenile.
But in a masterpiece of tactics, Team Ballydoyle crawled early. Dawn
Approach, accustomed to getting more pace in his sprints at two, and last time
out in the one-mile Two Thousand Guineas, was impossibly rank during this
leisurely stroll. Regular rider Kevin Manning tried in vain to coax him to
relax.
The pace was so slow that O’Brien’s ostensible first string, Battle of
Marengo, was actually in front. The projected rabbits – Flying the Flag and
possibly Festive Cheer – did not materialize.
Dawn Approach was pulling so hard that Manning decided to let him stride
forward, and he took over the lead from Battle of Marengo. Meanwhile, Ruler of
the World was parked a little past midfield on the outside, traveling smoothly
on the tricky Epsom circuit.
Rounding Tattenham Corner and straightening for home, Battle of Marengo
regained command from Dawn Approach, and the handwriting was on the wall for the
favorite. Dawn Approach came up empty and retreated through the field, unable to
replicate sire New Approach’s performance here five years ago.
Challengers were fanning out to go after Battle of Marengo. Galileo Rock
loomed on the premises, French raider Ocovango didn’t have the cleanest trip but
was still in the hunt, and Germany’s Chopin arrived on the scene.
But surging best of all was Ruler of the World. Kicking on strongly, the
half-brother to Duke of Marmalade drove 1 1/2 lengths clear of a bunched-up group
fighting for the minors. The chestnut negotiated about 1 1/2 miles on good to soft
going in 2:39.
Libertarian didn’t seem to cope with the track, but recovered well to rally
belatedly for second. Trained by Elaine Burke, who was seeking to become the
first woman to send out a Derby winner, he edged the one-paced Galileo Rock by a
short head.
Battle of Marengo was another short head away in fourth, and Ocovango was a
close fifth. Next came O’Brien’s Mars, Chopin, Flying the Flag, Mirsaale,
Festive Cheer, Ocean Applause and the disappointing Dawn Approach.
Moore revealed that his winning ride didn’t go exactly according to plan, and
that Ruler of the World’s lack of experience showed.
“I thought he had a good chance today, but it was only his second start at
Chester last time, over a mile and a half on soft ground, so you are never quite
sure what you have,” Moore said.
“I planned to be a bit closer, but I just didn’t get away very well — it was
a very messy race.
“It was a very dramatic race to be part of. They went a slow gallop early on
and I had to step back and take cover behind the favorite (Dawn Approach), who
didn’t settle. I was caught very deep but I was able to creep into it nicely.
“I had to let this fellow go on when I did because I knew that he would get
the trip very well. He was there a bit too soon and was just a little bit green.
“We went so slowly, but he quickened well and he kept going. He was only
having his third run, he was there early enough and you have got to give credit
to the horse.
“I got to the front very quickly and it was a matter of holding on and
toughing it out, which you don’t really want to be having to do. It was quite a
tactical race.
“He really toughed it out and showed a very good attitude.
“He has improved a lot from Chester and I think that he will get further,”
Moore summed up.
O’Brien was delighted with the result.
“It was just incredible,” the winning trainer said. “We are so lucky to be in
the position that we are in, to get such horses. They are incredibly-bred horses
and, even before they are mated, the dream is for this to happen. We are so
incredibly lucky to have the horse and then to work with such a team of people.”
But that teamwork didn’t involve race tactics, O’Brien said.
“All the lads knew the horses, and the boys had spoken to them a lot.
Everyone had their own plan, but every horse was there doing its own thing
really,” the trainer commented.
“The two we thought had the best chance were Battle of Marengo and Ruler of
the World, but we always thought the world of Mars and felt Flying the Flag and
Festive Cheer would improve for a step up in trip.
“Everyone was in the same boat (once the race started),” O’Brien said. “We
didn’t create an artificial pace — they (the Ballydoyle jockeys) were all
riding their own race and obviously Ryan and Colm (O’Donoghoe on Flying the
Flag) had ridden their horses before, Seamus (Heffernan) knew his (Festive
Cheer) from home and Richard (Hughes) was on his horse (Mars) for the first time
and taking his time.
“Coming into the race, Ruler of the World was a very solid horse and Joseph
was on Battle of Marengo, because he ridden the horse a lot and I was anxious he
rode him.”
John Magnier also spoke of the tough decision Joseph had to make.
“Obviously, Joseph had his choice and I would say that Aidan thought this
horse was the next best,” the Coolmore supremo said. “That’s why the Derby is
such an interesting race because it’s all unfolding.
“This year it has been more difficult than ever because they didn’t know
where they were with the horses — it’s the same for everybody, the weather has
been so difficult and they haven’t been on the grass that much.
“If you try and find out everything at home, you are not going to win the
Derby,” Magnier added. “The horses that we had deserved to be here and that’s
what we do with them — we bring them here if they deserve to be here.”
Karl Burke, husband of Libertarian’s trainer, was ruing the lack of genuine
pace.
“The first thing (jockey) William (Buick) said as he got off was that the
pace of the race has done for him,” he said. “They went really slowly for the
first part of the race and then they kept quickening it up and slowing it down
until the field reached Tattenham Corner.
“We’re delighted with him though,” Burke added, “and we’ve know we’ve got a
proper horse. He’s lived up to all expectations and more. When we got him at the
beginning of the year, we thought we had a nice, raw three-year-old who could be
a staying type but he keeps on getting better. He’s come on so much in the past
three months.”
Dawn Approach’s connections were left downcast by the champion’s behavior.
“He ran too free,” Manning said. “A hundred yards out of the gates, he got
competitive, ran too free and was carting me.
“He ended up pulling me there and I didn’t have any choice. I am running
three deep (wide) and I just cannot get a pull out of him — I am just a
passenger.
“I knew it was not possible for a horse to pull the way he did and win.”
Trainer Jim Bolger, who also bred the colt and had some time ago questioned
his staying capacity, noted that he frittered away his own chance.
“Kevin said that he jumped out all right and he was OK for about 10 strides,”
Bolger said. “There wasn’t much pace on and the horse grabbed the bridle — from
then on, he was more or less out of control.
“There was no pace and the horse did not settle. There was nothing there when
Kevin pulled him out.
“Dawn Approach had been running over a mile where they were jumping out with
a strong pace. Kevin just dropped his hands down his withers and let him bowl in
those races.
“I doubt you will see Dawn Approach again over a mile and a half. We will
take him home and see how he is and train him for a while. Time will help us to
decide (what to do).
“There is nothing proved one way or the other. He just did not settle and run
his race. This was not a good outcome.”
O’Brien will also think about plans for Ruler of the World, although the June
29 Irish Derby at the Curragh is the logical port of call.
“I’d say it was a tough enough race today so I’m not sure where he’ll go
next,” O’Brien said. “He’s still a baby, that’s why we took him to Chester last
time to get some experience.”
Ruler of the World is the latest star out of the Group 3-placed Kingmambo
mare Love Me True. Her first sensation, Duke of Marmalade, ranked as Europe’s
champion older horse in 2008, through victories in the King George VI & Queen
Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Prix Ganay and Tattersalls
Gold Cup. He descends from the superb family of Hall of Famer and supersire A.P.
Indy and classic-winning sires Summer Squall and Lemon Drop Kid, which can now
claim a Derby winner.
Bred in the purple, Ruler of the World has lived up to both his pedigree and
his ambitious name.
“Even before he came to Ballydoyle,” O’Brien said, “he must have been highly
rated to be given such a name, and he’s always been a stunner with an
unbelievable pedigree.
“With a name like that I must have been scared to run him as a two-year-old!”
John Magnier credited wife Sue with the name.
“The horses (before they race) are rated on pedigree and as individuals, and
Sue names them in February or March,” Magnier said. “Then we monitor them and
this horse obviously made his way to the top — sometimes we get it right and
sometimes we don’t. We’ve had a lot of bad American presidents!”
On Saturday, the imperious colt was indeed on top of the bloodstock world.
“The whole Thoroughbred breed hinges on the Derby,” O’Brien rhapsodized.
“It’s what racing is about for everyone working in stables and on studs.”
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