Aidan O’Brien eyeing 100th European Classic triumph in Irish Derby

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is eyeing a 100th European Classic triumph in this weekend’s Irish Derby at the Curragh with five entires.

The 53-year-old is sending five horses from Ballydoyle to Kildare for a chance at snatching his 15th victory in Sunday’s Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.

Those entries include Auguste Rodin, who is aiming to become the 19th horse in the sport’s history to complete the English-Irish Derby double.

A three-time winner in group company, Auguste Rodin’s reputation took a slight hit after flopping in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May but bounced back in terrific fashion at Epsom earlier this month.

O’Brien is also testing his luck with Adelaide River, Covent Garden, Peking Opera and San Antonio in the three-year-old race over a course of 1 mile and 4 furlongs.

Auguste Rodin wins the @Betfred Derby!

Classic redemption for the Deep Impact colt after Guineas disappointment with victory in the world’s most famous Flat race.

NINE Derby triumphs for trainer Aidan O’Brien 👏 #DerbyFestival #ディープインパクト #オーギュストロダン pic.twitter.com/kb9ZyY8WK5

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 3, 2023

Ballydoyle has produced a record 14 Irish Derby winners but there have also been six O’Brien favourites beaten in the race over the last ten years and seven in the last 16.

• Eagle Mountain (6/4) – 2007
• Ruler Of The World (4/5) – 2013
• Wings Of Eagles (2/1) – 2017
• Saxon Warrior (1/1) – 2018
• Anthony Van Dyck (5/4) – 2019
• High Definition (9/4) – 2021
• Tuesday (11/8) – 2022

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Odds

• Auguste Rodin @ 1/3
• Sprewell @ 5/1
• White Birch @ 5/1
• Up And Under @ 12/1
• Knight To King @ 16/1
• Proud And Regal @ 20/1
• Adelaide River @ 33/1
• Peking Opera @ 40/1
• Salt Bay @ 50/1
• Covent Garden @ 66/1
• San Antonio @ 66/1

The Irish Derby gets underway at 3:40pm this Sunday and Auguste Rodin’s main threats are likely to be the second and third favourites in the market – the John Joseph Murphy-trained Sprewell and Jessica Harrington-trained White Birch who finished third and fourth respectively in the Epsom Derby behind King Of Steel in second.

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