Auguste Rodin Likely to Target Derby Double

Monday, June 5, 2023 | 4:39 pm

Auguste Rodin ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (front) wins the Betfred Derby ahead of King of Steel ridden by jockey Kevin Stott during Derby Day of the 2023 Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom. Picture date: Saturday June 3, 2023. PA Photo. See PA Story RACING Derby. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial Use only, commercial use is subject to prior permission from The Jockey Club/Epsom Downs Racecourse.

Michael Tabor, John and Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is expected to make his next start in the July 2 G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh.

“I would say he'll go to the Irish Derby,” Tabor told racingtv.com. “I haven't discussed it, but it's common sense to say he definitely goes to the Irish Derby. Then we'll bring him back in trip–a mile and a quarter–for some of those races.”

The striking bay colt previously finished 12th in the May 6 G1 2000 Guineas, the initial leg in the Triple Crown.

“He won't go to the [1 3/4-mile] St. Leger,” Tabor added. “In my mind, that Triple Crown dream is over. A St. Leger horse is not what we are looking for, once he can't do a Triple Crown.”

Looking a bit farther down the road, Tabor indicated the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in October could be a consideration in addition to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita the following month.

“It is a long way before the end of the year,” he said. “We'll see how he is. It could be the Arc, but the ground could be against him, although he won on soft as a 2-year-old. We've even got the Breeders' Cup [Turf] as an option on the turf. We'll see how he goes and have those discussions, I'm sure.”