The Epsom Derby in which he was ultimately ruled a non-starter was a disaster for flashy Frankel colt Benvenuto Cellini, but he enjoyed sweet redemption at The Curragh overnight when leading home an Aidan O’Brien trained trifecta in the Group I Irish Derby (1m4f).
Benvenuto Cellini started favourite with Ryan Moore electing to stick with him and he proved much the best winning by a length and three-quarters over Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day (Camelot) with Pierre Bonard (Camelot a neck away in third.
“Benvenuto Cellini had a very ordinary run at Epsom and we knew all the things that went wrong - but you're never really sure until you see it. It was a brave call from Ryan [Moore] to ride him as Christmas Day was working very solid going into this and won well at Epsom. It was a great race and I hope everyone enjoyed it,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“The form was always going to stand up and if there was any weakness in his armour he would have been found out. He could go to the King George (G1). If he needs a break, though, he'll have one and then be trained for the Champion Stakes (G1). He looks ready-made for the US so the Breeders' Cup could be an option.”
Benvenuto has had six starts for four wins and two placings with this victory his first at G1 level.
A homebred for the Coolmore and White Birch Farm, Benvenuto Cellini is a full brother to stakes-winning filly Giselle and is the second stakes-winner from dual Group I winning Lope de Vega mare Newspaperofrecord.
The family has already had some Classic success producing Irish Derby winner Latrobe and Epsom and Irish Oaks place-getter Pink Dogwood, who had a super impressive 2YO winner at the Curragh on Saturday in Giant Sequoia, a colt by Benvenuto Cellini’s sire Frankel.
Benvenuto Cellini is the 42nd Group I winner for champion sire Frankel.
