3 minute read
Michael Tabor, part owner of Epsom Derby hero Auguste Rodin, has indicated the three-year-old could attempt the UK and Irish Derby double at The Curragh at the beginning of July.
Michael Tabor, part owner of Epsom Derby hero Auguste Rodin, has indicated the three-year-old could attempt the UK and Irish Derby double at The Curragh at the beginning of July.
The son of Deep Impact is owned in partnership by John and Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Georg von Opel's Westerberg racing operation alongside Michael Tabor. The colt out of Rhododendron was seen in the Epsom winner's enclosure when Auguste Rodin won the Group 1 Betfred Derby by half a length under Ryan Moore.
Tabor hopes he can go for further Group 1 glory this season.
The part owner said: "It was really good. It was what we obviously hoped for. We thought he could do it and he did. We are all delighted, naturally. It was one of the great days.
"I would say he'll go to the Irish Derby. I haven't discussed it, but it's common sense to say he definitely goes to the Irish Derby. Then we'll bring him back in trip – a mile and a quarter – for some of those races."
"He won't go to the St Leger," he added. "In my mind, that Triple Crown dream is over. A St Leger horse is not what we are looking for, once he can't do a Triple Crown."
"It is a long way before the end of the year. We'll see how he is. It could be the Arc, but the ground could be against him, although he won on soft as a two-year-old.
"We've even got the Breeders' Cup as an option on the turf. We'll see how he goes and have those discussions, I'm sure."
At the time of writing, Auguste Rodin holds four entries - the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes, the Group 1 Irish Derby, the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse and the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes.
Auguste Rodin has now recorded four wins and one placing from six career starts with his only disappointment coming in the the Group 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.