High Chaparral enjoyed a virtual lap of honour as he became the third straight Vodafone Derby winner to follow up at the Curragh with a comfortable victory in the Budweiser Irish Derby today. Like Sinndar and Galileo before him High Chaparral delighted the thousands of fans who defied the rain to turn out and welcome home the local hero in a race which turned into a personal triumph for Aidan O'Brien who also saddled the runner-up Sholokov and third-placed Ballingarry.
But the trainer confirmed afterwards that he may sensationally quit the country if controversial plans to build an incinerator near his Ballydoyle yard go ahead. 'It is true,' said O'Brien, who is very worried by potential pollution problems. 't's not fair to ask people to rear families in that sort of environment. And horses take in 40 times as many dioxins as human beings so that would be a big worry.'
Asked about a possible new training base, he said: 'There are a lot of options - Coolmore has a big operation in America and that is defintely an option.'
High Chaparral, who led home an O'Brien one-two at Epsom three weeks ago, was sent off 1-3 favourite for today's Budweiser-sponsored Classic and his backers had scarcely a moment's worry. Mick Kinane, back on board the colt after choosing to ride runner-up Hawk Wing instead in the Derby, always looked to be sitting pretty and when he pulled the colt wide in the straight to challenge there was only going to be one winner.
His mount burst clear at the furlong-pole and went on to score by three and a half lengths.Pacemaker Sholokov was in turn a length and a half clear of Ballingarry, with the Richard Hannon-trained Nysaean best of the British challengers in fourth. Sir Michael Stoute's pair Balakheri and Princely Venture came home fifth and ninth respectively. 'It was a nice, uncomplicated race,' Kinane said. 'He is a very good colt and very easy to ride. When I asked him to go he went.'
O'Brien, who has now saddled the first two home in five Group One races this year, added: 'This is a great day. High Chaparral was very relaxed and very happy going along. He is a real professional in his work and in his races.'
High Chaparral, the 15th horse in total to complete the Derby/Irish Derby double and a record-equalling sixth winner of the Curragh Classic for his sire Sadler's Wells, could now have a rest rather than bid to emulate Galileo by bidding for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. 'We will see how he is but we are thinking of giving him a little rest,' O'Brien said. 'With Galileo we went to the King George and kept him going and it took its toll - we kept going to the well a bit too often. We might give him a rest and then a prep for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.'
Owner Michael Tabor added of the winner: 'I was never worried. It was a great performance and he exuded class.'
Sadler's Wells sired the first four home and O'Brien paid tribute to his stock. 'They are very genuine, very sound and have plenty of class,' he said adding, 'they seem to have everything.'
Richard Hannon Jnr was delighted with the bold showing of his father's Glasgow Stakes third Nysaean. 'I was very pleased, he said. There are loads of options for him now and he will be some horse next year.'
Filed by Brendan Cole
