Fallon records first Irish Derby win

Coolmore gained a quick return on their purchase of French Derby runner-up Hurricane Run as the son of Montjeu went one better in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh this afternoon.

Kieren Fallon, top rider at the three day Derby meeting with eight wins and enjoying his first success in the premier Irish Flat race in front of a record crowd of 31,144, completed a treble on the card.

Tragedy struck early in the mile and a half classic as Gypsy King broke a shoulder and Hurricane Run, leased back for this race by Coolmore to original owner Dietrich Von Boetticher, was last entering the straight.

However the 4/5 favourite soon got into a challenging position, leading just inside the final furlong and was driven out to hold the renewed effort of Scorpion by half a length, with Shalapour keeping on onepaced four lengths back in third.

Walk In The Park raced keenly before dropping out tamely in the straight, and was subsequently found to have a respiratory tract infection.

´He gives you a really good feel but is still a baby and didn´t do much when we hit the front. He´s probably a bit like his dad (Montjeu),´ said a delighted Fallon afterwards.

Trainer Andre Fabre indicated that the colt is likely to be put away now for the autumn with the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe the main target.

John Oxx was thrilled with the performance of Shalapour in third, four lengths clear of Brahminy Kite in fourth, and he will probably step up in trip for the St Leger (Irish or English).

George Washington landed odds of 2/5 when supplying Aidan O´Brien with his seventh winner of the Railway Stakes but he still has some way to go before justifying 16/1 (from 20´s) quotes from Boylesports and Cashmans for next years 2,000 Guineas.

The Danehill colt got the better of stablemate Amigoni by three quarters of a length, with Namaya running on well in the closing stages just a head further back in third.

´They only really raced for the last two furlongs and he was a bit keen for Kieren early on. He´s entered in all the good races but we have yet to decide where to go next,´ said O´Brien.

Mark Wallace, originally from Tipperary and now in his third year training in Newmarket, realised a long held ambition by recording his first Irish winner as Benbaun landed the Listed sprint.

Fallon´s mount headed the trail-blazing Osterhase a furlong out and stayed on well to score by a length and a half, with Majestic Missile a length back in third.

´He pulled off a shoe when disappointing at York last time, and I wouldn´t mind going back there to have a go at the Nunthorpe. He could run at Sandown next weekend while there is also a race in Italy,´ said Wallace.