Saturday's G1 Investec Epsom Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is likely to attempt a Derby double by targeting his home version, the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh June 25. It sets up a potentially fascinating rematch with the news that the Irish race is also on the agenda for US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), 'TDN Rising Star' Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Wings Of Desire (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Humphrey Bogart (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}), horses that occupied the top five positions at Epsom.
Reflecting on Harzand's Derby performance and the overall experience of what was an exciting if somewhat stressful day Dermot Weld said, “After the drama of Saturday, it is great to have Harzand back home. He's a very tough horse. When the challenge went down and the die was cast, that toughness is what won the day. I am extremely proud of the team here in Rosewell House and it is a great honour to win the Epsom Derby.”
Weld is a master at plotting long range international targets and having added a much coveted Epsom Derby to his CV, his long term attentions may well turn to Paris in October, to another race that has so far eluded the Rosewell house trainer, the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
“Time will reveal all,” added Weld. “He's a lovely colt and he could be an ideal English Leger horse or, indeed, if it was a wet autumn a lovely horse for the Arc.”
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