Appeals for surgery to
Derby after Australia win
By Scott Burton and Tony O’Hehir 7:44AM 30 JUN 2014

THE Aga Khan’s racing and stud manager believes Europe’s big-race summer programme requires surgery in order to re-establish the Irish Derby as a race that defines champions.

In the wake of Australia’s stroll at 1-8 in the second five-runner field in three years on Saturday, Georges Rimaud said it was time for Europe’s racing authorities to look again at the programme, as he attributed the decline in international competition in the Curragh Classic to the change in distances of the Prix du Jockey Club and Grand Prix de Paris.

After Epsom second Kingston Hill was a late withdrawal because of the ground, Australia was able to saunter to trainer Aidan O’Brien’s 11th win in the race, leading home stablemates Kingfisher and Orchestra for a fifth Ballydoyle 1-2-3.

Curragh racecourse manager Paul Hensey said the position of the race in the calendar and even the distance it is run over – although that is unlikely to be given serious consideration – would form part of the examination of the reasons for the disappointing turnout on Saturday, when all five runners were trained in Ireland, while Rimaud said the race had developed a disturbing trend.

"It’s worrying for Irish racing," he said. "Australia is a very good horse, but the race was too easy for him.

"We need a reorganisation of all the major European Derbys so we can return to the days when the Irish Derby was the title decider and brought together the winners from France and Epsom. But that is up to the competent authorities to bring about."

I didn't think AOB would make the mistake of running Australia here but it seems there are other powers at work. Apparently he is trying to save the status  of the Irish Derby. A status his own team have worked hard to ruin. It seems like their hens are finally beginning to come home to roost. It's al the deserve.