Westover has perfect trip in Irish Derby
In a reversal of his troubled third in the Group 1 English Derby earlier this month, Westover had a perfect trip in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, winning his first race at the highest level by seven lengths.
Ridden by Colin Keane, Westover ($4.80 in American pools) stalked pacesetter French Claim to early stretch, took the lead with more than a quarter-mile remaining and quickly pulled clear.
Piz Badile (18-1) was prominent throughout and finished second, two lengths in front of 16-1 French Claim. Tuesday, the winner of the Group 1 English Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at Epsom Downs on June 3, was never a factor and finished fourth by 10 1/4 lengths as the 4-5 favorite in American pools.
Westover was 25-1 in the English Derby at Epsom Downs on June 4. He raced in traffic with less than three furlongs remaining and was unable to gain clear running room until the final furlong, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Desert Crown. Westover missed second by a head.
Owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Ralph Beckett, Westover won for the third time in his sixth start in the $1.05 million Irish Derby at 1 1/2 miles. Westover won his 3-year-old debut in the Group 3 Classic Trial at 1 1/4 miles at Sandown Racecourse outside of London on April 22.
Westover is by Frankel and is out of the Lear Fan mare Mirabilis, who won the Grade 3 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile in 2006 when trained by Bobby Frankel.
According to press reports after the Irish Derby, Westover may have his debut against older horses in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 23, a race that may draw Desert Crown.