Seamie Heffernan enjoyed the best day of his racing life, when steering Soldier Of Fortune to an impressive success in the Budweiser Irish Derby.
The Sallins man had earlier captured the Railway Stakes. Soldier Of Fortune (7/1 into 5/1) ran away with the 1.5 million feature, eclipsing stable companions Alexander Of Hales and Eagle Mountain.
A verdict of 9L told the story, with a further short head back to the 3rd-placed favourite, Eagle Mountain. Leading two furlongs out, the Galileo-sired winner was soon ridden clear, staying on strongly from there.
In 2006, Soldier Of Fortune's full-brother Heliostatic, ran a big race when seventh to Dylan Thomas here. Jim Bolger bred the two of them.
For a long time Heffernan was associated with the Coolcullen outfit. He partnered Imagine to take the 2001 Irish 1,000 Guineas. She later produced the high-class 2yo 7f winner but ill-fated 3yo, Horatio Nelson.
It was the second time that Aidan O'Brien has saddled a 1,2,3 in the Irish Derby following on from High Chaparral beating Sholokhov (a half-brother to Soldier Of Fortune's dam, Affianced) and Ballingarry.
Heffernan rode Ballingarry then, in 2002. O'Brien said, 'it is an absolute privilege to be involved with the whole team and this horse was likely to run well as he has been smiling every morning since Epsom.'
He was 5th there in the Derby behind Authorized. Paddy Power quote a standout 14/1 Soldier Of Fortune for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on the 28th of this month.
He is a best-priced 5/1 market-leader for the Ladbrokes St Leger but more generally a three for that contest at Doncaster on September 15th.
Greek Mythology and Saoirse Abu were non-runners in the Group 2 Railway Stakes, leaving just four participants and O'Brien gained his ninth win from eleven renewals of the race.
The once previously raced maiden, Lizard Island, made all under Heffernan and quickened clear two furlongs out.
Kieren Fallon on South Dakota also for Ballydoyle, could never get to the 3 /4L victor, keeping on inside the final furlong. Like Snaefell, Lizard Island and South Dakota are both by Danehill Dancer.
Jumbajukiba, on his third start for Jessica Harrington and fitted with first time blinkers, landed the opening mile h'cap with Fran Berry up.
The ex-Amanda Perrett trained gelded son of Barathea, was unlucky first time out in this country at Gowran in May, and this was compensation for Berry who picked up a two day careless riding ban on that occasion.
Gelded after his final start last term, Snaefell displayed strong promise in his last two outings, behind Tax Free, Dandy Man and co at Naas last month, and two weeks ago at Cork.
Runner-up to Empirical Power then, he didn't get the best of runs that day. He had been considered a possible for the Scurry H'cap but the decision to go for the Listed Bud Light Stakes paid off.
Johnny Murtagh brought his mount to challenge between horses a furlong out, led 150 yards from the finish and stayed on well to beat Tax Free by 1 3/4L for Michael Halford.
Lady Clague, owner of Snaefell (morning 8s into 11/2), and the same trainer/jockey combination of Halford and Murtagh, had to settle for the runner-up spot 35 minutes later in the Scurry H'cap with Nastrelli.
Dandy Nicholls, who saddled the 2nd and 4th, Tax Free and Peace Offering behind Snaefell, gained recompense with Machinist in the 20-runner sprint.
Silvestre de Sousa led on the 7yo under a furlong out and he was soon clear to win by 4L. This was much better than the 11th placing Machinist achieved in the 2005 renewal of this contest.
Nine to two in the morning into a returned seven to two, Arc Bleu landed the gamble in the 1m 4f h'cap for Tony Martin and Jamie Spencer.
Danehill Music (16s in the morning, of course there was three non-runners and 8s into 5s on course) again put the name of her sire, Danehill Dancer up in lights in the Listed Netjets Celebration Stakes.
Danny Grant led under pressure 150 yards out on David Wachman's filly and she went on to beat Hard Rock City by 1/2L. Wachman also supplied the third placed Cougar Bay.
In the concluding 2m h'cap, Jessica Harrington and Johnny Murtagh joined forces to complete doubles. Sandymount Earl owned by Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones took this one.
