The Curragh: Grey Swallow takes Irish Derby

Dermot Weld has waved his magic wand on numerous occasions in the past, most notably on the international stage when winning the Belmont Stakes with Go and Go and the Melbourne Cup with both Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle.

On Sunday, Weld turned a trick in his own backyard at The Curragh by engineering Grey Swallow's surprise victory in the Irish Derby.

Sent off at 10-1 because of doubts about his stamina, Grey Swallow came late under Pat Smullen to catch Epsom Derby winner and 8-11 favorite North Light 150 yards from the line to win by a half-length, with the Aidan O'Brien-trained 150-1 shot Tycoon another 1 1/2 lengths back in third.

Grey Swallow powered home in 2:28.70 on good-to-firm ground in the $1.5 million, 1 1/2-mile classic.