6 hours ago
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Ryan Moore became the first jockey to win the Irish Derby for three consecutive years as Lambourn showed his Epsom success was no fluke.
Lambourn, trained by Aidan O’Brien, caused a surprise when he led all the way at Epsom on June 7 but the 8-13 favourite proved himself to be the outstanding middle-distance colt of his generation when beating stablemate Serious Contender by three-quarters of a length at the Curragh.
Lazy Griff, Charlie Johnston’s runner who has traded blows with Lambourn at Chester and Epsom this season, finished third. Moore, who earlier on the card had given Newmarket trainer Ed Dunlop a welcome winner with Skukuza, hopes Lambourn will develop into a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender.
Ryan Moore poses with the trophy after winning the Irish Derby for the third year in a row
Lambourn secured victory as he proved that his success at Epsom was no fluke
Moore hopes that Lambourn will develop into a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender
Moore said: ‘It was no surprise he won at Epsom — he is talented. But we haven’t seen the best of him. He was stuck out wide and he was never going to win by much. But it always felt that he was going to win.’
It remains to be seen whether Lambourn will run in the Betfred St Leger in September but that race is firmly on the agenda of Lazy Griff.
‘An extra two-and-a-bit furlongs at Doncaster will be right up his street,’ said Johnston. ‘If Lambourn is there, bring on round four.’
