Irish Derby 2011 - Queen enters Carlton House, Aidan O’ Brien looking for 6 in a row
O’Darby Stakes was what is was called in the early times, when established in 1817, but then after the 1824 running it came to a halt for reasons unknown.
It resumed after an absence of 24 years and at that time it was called the Curragh Derby. It came to a halt yet again and in 1866 the modern Irish derby came into being with a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs but the distance was cut down in 1872 to 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
The highly altered derby continues to run at 1 mile and four (2,414 meters) furlongs to date but it wasn’t recognized as a major race until 1962, that’s when it got all the publicity and recognition to go International and attract thoroughbred colts and fillies from all over the world.
Traditionally the Irish Stakes are held three weeks after the Royal Ascot in late June, or, early July.
The year 2011, brings the Irish Derby yet again but with a royal twist. Queen Elizabeth’s horse, Carlton House, got a green signal to participate. Media attention increased and will continue to increase when he runs the derby, similar to the Queen’s historic first visit to Ireland in May 2011.
The Irish Derby will be loaded with Investec Epsom Derby starters and the recent rivalries will re-ignite yet again over the Irish version of the race. Bookies have placed Carlton House at 5 to 4 and his presence in the Irish Derby will create enough hype to make it an interesting run this year.
Carlton House was unlucky to finish third in the Epsom Derby and had a series of unfortunate events. Sir Michael Stout stated that Carlton House was blocked at one point, which made him lose a significant amount of pace and momentum.
But he did well to finish third on the day, and, who could deny the shoe losing incident, which majorly affected Carlton House’s run in the Epsom Derby.
Royal Ascot champion trainer, Aidan O’Brien, has entered Roderic O’Connor, who won the Irish Guineas, to accompany Seville, Memphis Tennessee, and, Epsom Derby runner-up, Treasure Beach.
Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Irish Derby five times in a row, will be looking to make it a sixth time this year with total wins of nine at the derby. Recital is not among the lot, who finished sixth, at the Epsom Derby this year.
The main event will kick off on 26 June. The opening race will be the Group two Railway Stakes and it will draw a powerful pack of ten horses.
Tags: