Racing: Epsom runner-up Treasure Beach went one place better to give Aidan O'Brien his ninth victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, in which the Queen's Carlton House finished only fourth. Colm O'Donoghue led the 7-2 home ahead of stablemates Seville and Memphis Tennessee.
O’Donoghue settled the 7-2 chance in fourth for much of the mile-and-a-half contest at the Curragh, with Memphis Tennessee setting the pace. There were still plenty in with chances turning for home, with Seville and Carlton House, Michael Stoute’s Epsom Derby third, seemingly travelling best.
But Stoute’s charge could not pick up for Ryan Moore when it mattered, and it was Seville and Treasure Beach who fought out the finish, with the latter emerging triumphant by three-quarters of a length. It was a fantastic one-two-three for O’Brien, with Memphis Tennessee finishing third.
Carlton House has understandably been the subject of huge media interest this year given his royal connections. And after having won the Dante Stakes at York, he was sent off favourite for the world’s most famous Flat race, the Epsom Derby.
A setback during the week threatened his participation, but he still took his chance and finished a creditable third.
He was the 5-4 favourite to go a couple of places better in the Irish equivalent and although everything appeared to be going to plan for much of the race, the turn of foot he showed on the Knavesmire and at Epsom was not there.
Treasure Beach was a 25-1 shot when beaten just a head by Pour Moi at Epsom, but showed that performance was no fluke to give O’Donoghue his first Irish Derby success.