Review CURRAGH 30TH JUN

Aidan O'Brien achieved another notable milestone in his training career when he saddled the first 3 home in the Budweiser Irish Derby headed by odds-on chance High Chaparral.

Sent off at 1/3, the 10th favourite to start at 1/3 or less in the 137th running of the race, the Sean Coughlan-bred son of Sadler's Wells swept to the front at the furlong pole and forged away to defeat 200/1 shot Sholokhov and Ballingarry.

'What a training performance to have a 1-2-3,' remarked joint owner Michael Tabor.

High Chaparral's rider Mick Kinane, successful in the race for the first time last year aboard Galileo, said, 'This is a high class colt. Nothing fazes him and he travelled beautifully and responded when I asked him.'

For Sadler's Wells the race was also a memorable one as he fathered the first four home while High Chaparral became the fourth horse from Ballydoyle to complete the Epsom/Curragh Derby double after Nijinsky, The Minstrel and Galileo.

Orby in 1907 was the first horse to complete glory in both Classics and was also the shortest price winner of the Irish Derby at a virtually unbackable 1/10.

Record breaking Aidan O'Brien has the Prix de l'Arc in Paris next October very much in mind for High Chaparral. 'He's a very relaxed and well balanced colt and we are now thinking of giving him a little break before bringing him back for a prep race before the Arc,' he said.

Dermot Weld dominated the closing stages of the Listed Budweiser FIFA World Cup Stakes when Tiger Royal and Pat Shanahan upset stable companion Agnetha by a neck.

Tiger Royal has become something of a Curragh specialist in recent years as the 6yo was notching up his 5th contest at headquarters.

'The rain which started here at 9.00am certainly helped Tiger Royal but hindered the chances of Agnetha,' said Weld.

Outlining future plans for the pair, Weld added, 'Tiger Royal will stay here while the G3 King George stakes at Goodwood is next for Agnetha where she'll hopefully get the fast ground she likes.'

Later in the day Weld again filled the first two home this time in the valuable 1m handicap when 20/1 shot Social Harmony upset better fancied stable companion Tarry Flynn to complete a big handicap double for Pat Shanahan.

The victory contributed somewhat to the Jackpot of 50,000 going astray and will be a nice carrot for punters when rolled over on July 13th.

Hold That Tiger survived a stewards enquiry after narrowly edging out market rival Pakhoes by a neck in Railway Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien was quick to point out 'he fits into all those juvenile Group races' while Cork firm Cashmans installed the Storm Cat colt with a 14/1 quote for the 2003 Saggita 2,000 Guineas.

James Toller's Duck Row (7/2) was victorious for the visitors when landing the Celebration Stakes under Richard Hughes while racing concluded with Queens Wharf (16/1) taking the 12f handicap for Mick Halford and Jerry O'Dwyer.