O'Brien looks back on first Irish Derby winner A week ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Aidan O'Brien has reflected on his first winner in the historic race. Desert King provided the Master of Ballydoyle with victory back in 1997 and he is seeking win number 15 in the race next Saturday. Having won the Irish 2,000 Guineas Desert King subsequently disappointed at Royal Ascot when finishing fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes. O'Brien reveals that it was a discussion with Christy Roche that convinced him to let the son of Danehill take his chance in the Irish Derby. Speaking to journalist Dave Keena he said:- “Obviously our first winner was Desert King, Christy Roche rode him and gave him an incredible ride. It's a day we'll never forget. “I remember we had other horses going to the Derby and he had disappointed before it. I was discussing it with Christy and I remember when I mentioned the horse's name his eyes lit up. “I knew there was probably no judge like Christy anywhere and he said he was the one that could win. He gave him an unbelievable ride. “Then obviously we had Galileo and we've had so many great days.”
