Racing: Joseph O'Brien rode his first Classic winner when making all of the running on Roderic O'Connor in the 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. The apprentice dictated affairs from the start and his mount, a 7-2 shot, trained by his father, Aidan O'Brien, kept pulling out more as his rivals tried to overtake him.
Dubawi Gold, the 7-4 favourite, came from last place to take second, but the Newmarket 2000 Guineas runner-up could never quite get to the winner. The O’Brien-trained Oracle (25-1) was third.
The young rider decided to do it the hard way in the rain on the Galileo colt, who had disappointed behind Frankel at Newmarket.
The O’Brien-trained third-string, High Ruler, was in the front rank for a while, but Roderic O’Connor was happy enough in the lead and kept on strongly to win by three-quarters of a length. It was the trainer’s seventh success in the race.
Derrek Smith, part-owner of the winner, said: “The tactics were different today. We made a lot of use of him and it worked for us. It was fantastic for Aidan to see his son on a Classic winner.
“He gave him a great ride, he was there on merit and we’re all over the moon about it. He has the English Derby and the French Derby as options, but I’m sure Aidan will work it out.”
O’Brien expressed pride at his son’s sparkling performance in the saddle.
He said: “We’re delighted with Joseph — he got the pace right. He gave him a lovely ride.”
Of Roderic O’Connor, the Ballydoyle handler added: “The plan was either to go to Epsom or France, and he’s a strong possible for either.”
O’Brien jnr added: “He jumped smartly and travelled nicely. He’s very genuine and stayed on to the line. The ground was very fast at Newmarket but he handled the track today very well. The stiff mile suited him well — I didn’t see another horse all the way.”