Galileo’s Port Douglas Gives Aidan O’Brien the Beresford Record

Possibly the third string of the Ballydoyle trio, Port Douglas ultimately had the most heart with blinkers applied to take Aidan O’Brien past the previous record of 14 wins in this race set by Dr Vincent O’Brien. Impressive on debut over seven furlongs at Leopardstown June 11, the bay was the 9-10 favorite when readily beaten by Sanus Per Aquam (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in second back over that course and distance July 9 and was again below expectations when fourth as the 8-11 pick for the Listed Canford Cliffs S. over an extended seven furlongs at Tipperary last time Aug. 7. Sent up to take the early lead off True Solitaire by Emmet McNamara, he was tackled and passed by that rival with a quarter mile remaining. Back alongside soon after, he gained a slight edge 50 yards out and held on grimly to prevail, with his stable companion Beacon Rock producing a strong staying effort late on. “He won his maiden well, but was very lazy the next twice so we put blinkers on and his work really did improve with them,” Port Douglas’ trainer explained after the winner had survived an inquiry having drifted into True Solitaire in the final drive. “He’s a real nice horse who battled well and will be a lovely middle-distance colt for next year. I was very happy with Beacon Rock, who was a little bit green throughout the race but was coming home really well. The first two could run again in the G1 Racing Post Trophy [at Doncaster Oct. 24] or something like that.” Jockey Emmet McNamara added, “He was tough and battled well. He stays very well and the blinkers helped him. Aidan said to let him keep coming forward from halfway and he really picked up to grind and try for me.”

Sunday, The Curragh, Ireland
JUDDMONTE BERESFORD S.-G2, €120,000, CUR, 9-27, 2yo, 8fT, 1:43.38, g/y.
1–#@PORT DOUGLAS (IRE), 129, c, 2, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Walzerkoenigin ({Hwt. Older Mare-Ger at 9.5-11f, Hwt. Older Mare-Ity at 7-9.5f, GSW-Fr, Ger & Ity, GISP-US & GSP-Eng, $417,565}), by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Great Revival (Ire), by Keen (GB)
3rd Dam: Prudent Girl (GB), by Primera (GB)
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Walzerkoenigin Syndicate (Ire); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Emmet McNamara. €72,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, €89,585. *1/2 to 2009 G1 Deutsches Derby hero Wiener Walzer (Ger) (Dynaformer), Hwt. 3yo-Ger at 11-14f, MG1SW-Ger & G1SP-Fr, $786,328; to Walzertraum (Rahy), GSW-Ger & SP-Swe, $126,513; and to Walzertakt (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}), GSW-Fr& GSP-Ger, $145,812. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–True Solitaire (Ire), 129, c, 2, Oasis Dream (GB)–Majestic Silver (Ire), by Linamix (Fr). O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd (IRE); T-Dermot Weld. €22,800.
3–Beacon Rock (Ire), 129, c, 2, Galileo (Ire)–Remember When (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Remember When Syndicate (IRE); T-Trainer Aidan O’Brien. €10,800.
Margins: SHD, NK, HF. Odds: 14.00, 2.25, 2.25.
Also Ran: Stellar Mass (Ire), Ample Sufficiency, Play the Game (Ire), Unicorn (Ire), Restive (Ire), Lex Talionis (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.