Derby 1-2-3 for Irish horses
It was a family affair at Rosewell House in County Kildare on Sunday evening as Dermot Weld and his staff were joined by their families and connections to welcome home Investec Derby hero Harzand after winning the flagship Flat race at Epsom Racecourse on Saturday. Also present were winning jockey Pat Smullen with his family, along with Pat Downes, Manager of HH The Aga Khan’s Irish studs.
Harzand, owned and bred in Ireland by HH The Aga Khan, gave trainer Dermot Weld and champion jockey Pat Smullen their first win in the race and was followed across the finishing line by Aidan O’Brien’s US Army Ranger in second place and Idaho in third, both bred and trained in County Tipperary.
The Sea The Stars colt won Britain’s most valuable Flat race in dramatic fashion after receiving extensive treatment on his foot when he pulled a shoe travelling from Ireland to Epsom Racecourse.
Trainer Dermot Weld, said: “After the drama of Saturday, it is great to have Harzand back home. I am extremely proud of the team here in Rosewell House and it is a great honour to win the Epsom Derby.”
Brian Kavanagh, Horse Racing Ireland CEO, said: “It was a wonderful result on Saturday and I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to His Highness The Aga Khan, Dermot Weld, Pat Smullen and all the team at Rosewell House. An Irish one, two, three in the Epsom Derby is something to savour.”
