The Group I Irish and German Derbies were run overnight with hot favourite Auguste Roding leading home a first four trained by Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh, while in Hamburg it was Sea the Moon colt Fantastic Moon that scored a decisive win.
A last start winner of the Group I Epsom Derby, blue blood Deep Impact colt Auguste Rodin was expected to add the Irish Derby to his record and did so albeit winning by only a length and a half in a muddling run race that was also marred by a fall.
"We went quite slow and, because of what happened to Wayne (Lordan on San Antonio), it wasn't smooth," said winning rider Ryan Moore.
"He was just in front of me. I had to switch back in and back out and I just don't think it was quite right. I've had to ask him to go there and he has shut down a bit. It was an unusual race, stop-start. Today I don't think the race showed him to best effect."
A homebred for the Coolmore partners, Auguste Rodin is a Group I winner at two and three and has four wins and a second from six starts with more success to come.
Auguste Rodin is the 15th Irish Derby for Aidan O’Brien, with each winner representing one or other of the Coolmore ownership partners. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who share Auguste Rodin with George Von Opel's Westerberg vehicle, were all in attendance at the Curragh.
Auguste Rodin is the first winner for Galileo’s Champion 2YO Filly and Older Female Miler Filly and triple Group I winner Rhododendron.
A full sister to seven time Group I winner Magical from Group I winning Pivotal mare Halfway to Heaven, this is an exceptional family that has also produced Group I winners Photo Call and Victoria Road, who is by Deep Impact stallion Saxon Warrior.
The Group I German Derby (2400m) was won by the Sarah Steinberg trained Fantastic Moon, who made it four wins from five starts when charging home out wide to score a powerful two and half length win.
Fantastic Moon was ridden by Rene Piechulek, who won the 2021 Arc de Triomphe on German raider Torquator Tasso.
“I was able to keep him well relaxed at the back of field as we knew the trip might be at the extent of his stamina,” he said.
“He galloped easily throughout and quickened really well into the straight where I was able to make full use of his great finishing speed.”
Fantastic Moon was bought by Liberty Racing for €49,000 at the BBAG September Yearling Sale in Germany and is the first winner for Frangipani, a winning half-sister to Group III winner Fearless Hunter from the family of Group winners Germane, Kilmah and Four Sins.
He is the third Group I winner among 29 stakes-winners sired by German Derby winner Sea the Moon, who is well known in Australia as the sire of Caulfield Cup winner Durston.
