Hurricane Run wins Irish Derby

Hurricane Run ran down Scorpion inside the final furlong to win the $1.56 million Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.

Denied victory in the French Derby three weeks ago when held off by Shamardal after an erratic run through the Chantilly stretch, Hurricane Run kept a straight line this time but needed almost every yard of the 1 1/2 miles to get the job done. With new rider Kieren Fallon at the controls, the victorious son of Montjeu was not to be denied in winning for the fourth time in five career starts. Trained in France by Andre Fabre, Hurricane Run ultimately prevailed over Scorpion, himself a son of Montjeu, by half a length while traveling the 12 furlongs on good to firm ground in 2:29.41.

The Aga Khan's Shalapour was third, another four lengths behind, but Walk in the Park, second last time to Motivator in the Epsom Derby, weakened tamely to finish last, beaten 19-1/2 lengths. The Epsom Derby fifth Gypsy King, like Scorpion trained by Aidan O'Brien, broke down shortly after the start, having broken a shoulder, and had to be put down.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the 9-runner field, Hurricane Run raced at the back of the pack until moved into striking position at the head of the Curragh's 3-furlong stretch. A patient Fallon moved him past the 16-1 Scorpion about 150 yards form the line, from which point Hurricane Run held steady. The winner prior to his French Derby antics of the Group 2 Prix Hocquart at Longchamp, he is likely to be given the traditional French summer vacation by Fabre before returning in September for a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe prep.

Luckless in the Derby, Aidan O'Brien did win the Group 2 Railway Stakes for the seventh time when the 2-5 George Washington proved a handy half-length winner over stablemate Amigoni in the 6-furlong affair of 2-year-olds. Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, the first two finishers are also sons of Danehill. O'Brien believes that George Washington, who was timed in 1:13.18 coming off a very slow pace up, will handle any step up in distance with aplomb.