Prestige of Ireland’s premier classic has come under pressure in recent years
Time was the Curragh’s position as the third of Europe’s major Derby prizes could produce classic “decider” scenarios between the winners at Epsom and Chantilly. Perhaps the most memorable was Generous’ epic defeat of Suave Dancer in 1991. But that was then and now is different.
It’s a rich irony then how the most commercial bloodstock enterprise of all, Coolmore, has been at the vanguard of an industry focus towards speed and, yet, without their support, both Derbies at Epsom and the Curragh would be under even more pressure than they already are. It’s a problem that, in the short-term, could be sorted out by simply aping the French and cutting the race distance to a mile and a quarter.
It is 40 years since the Curragh’s St Leger was opened to older horses, a move fundamentally at odds with the classic tradition of three-year-olds only. It was a step crucial to preserving the race’s Group One status, however. Coolmore have been characteristically quick off the mark in tapping into a market where speed allied to middle distance stamina is prized. Cheap speed holds little appeal in Japan. Deep Impact himself never ran below ten furlongs and won at two miles.
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