Wings of Eagles Seeks English-Irish Derby Double

Wings of Eagles seeks an English-Irish "Derby Double" July 1 at the Curragh as the Pour Moi colt leads five Aidan O'Brien trainees into the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1).

 

Owned by Coolmore affiliated Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor, Wings of Eagles made a quick late move in the final furlong to win the Investec Derby (G1) at Epsom June 3—just his second career win. In his only other start this year, the French-bred colt was second in the MBNA Chester Vase Stakes (G3).

 

Off those two efforts, Wings of Eagles is a general favorite with the British bookmakers for the 1 1/2-mile Irish classic, but not the overwhelming choice.

 

Waldgeist, a Galileo (IRE) colt trained in France, comes to Ireland off a second behind Brametot in the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (G1), or French Derby, at Chantilly June 4. The British-bred colt, trained by Andre Fabre, is owned by a partnership that includes Coolmore partners.

 

Waldgeist also finished second in his 3-year-old debut, in a group 2 event at Saint-Cloud.

 

Cracksman, a Frankel colt who finished third at Epsom, also is in the field for the Irish Derby and both he and Waldgeist have attracted substantial support in antepost wagering.

 

O'Brien's other four are Capri, who finished sixth at Epsom; Douglas Macarthur, seventh in the Investec Derby; Taj Mahal, fourth in the Hampton Court Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot in his last start; and The Anvil, who helped make the pace at Epsom before fading to finish 17th. All are by Galileo.

 

The "Derby Double" is not particularly rare. Harzand turned the trick last year becoming the 17th to do so. Harzand, who edged Idaho for the Irish Derby victory, was the fifth "double" winner owned by the Aga Khan. O'Brien has trained four who accomplished the feat, including Galileo in 2001.