Waterloo Bridge Takes the Norfolk

   Fourteen years on from the stellar performer Johannesburg providing Aidan O’Brien with a first renewal of this race, the Ballydoyle incumbent followed up with the surprise package Waterloo Bridge as he upstaged the much-vaunted Hannon pair of Log Out Island and King of Rooks. Educated via the racecourse, the bay was having his fifth start here having only broken his maiden last time when workmanlike over this trip at Tipperary June 4. Previously, he had finished sixth of seven on debut over this distance at The Curragh Apr. 19, third behind the subsequent listed scorers Round Two (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Argentero (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) in a hot conditions race over six at Naas May 13 and second sporting a first-time hood in a maiden over the latter trip at Navan 17 days later.

On the first three occasions, his character had been called into question by those handicapping the races and even when winning he had drifted late on, but there was nothing not to admire about this display under an inspired Ryan Moore. Anchored early towards the rear but always well in touch as the market leaders Log Out Island and King of Rooks forced the pace up ahead, he was delivered with a surge as that duo dueled with a furlong remaining. Soon getting on top, he had the upper hand in the last 150 yards to provide his rider with a sixth winner of what could be a record-breaking meeting for him personally. Waterloo Bridge was also providing his freshman sire with a third black-type winner–and second of the meeting after the exploits of Washington DC (Ire) a day earlier–and an all-important first group-race success. “My horse was running on quick ground for the first time and it’s brought about improvement,” Moore explained. “He’s been running on soft ground and not enjoying it. Aidan’s got the horses in unbelievable shape and he traveled like the best horse throughout the race. He’s a good horse and gave me a great feel the whole way. He had a little look when he got to the front, but he’s been produced in terrific shape.”
O’Brien added, “He was always a very fast horse and probably wanted a fast-run race on fast ground and he got it today. Joseph said to leave the hood off after what happened when he swerved last time and we did. Like all of Zoffany’s, he has a lot of natural speed and he traveled very strong.”

“We could go to Goodwood or somewhere like that, but he’s like the horse that won on Tuesday [Washington DC] in that he has a lot of speed.” Of Moore, O’Brien added, “Ryan is an unbelievable rider–everyone knows he is probably the greatest rider we have seen for a long, long time. We are delighted and privileged to have him working with us–first of all he is an absolute gentleman, he is 100% straight and genuine and a great judge of pace. He is fully committed–a real professional in every way.” The runner-up and third were surprisingly upstaged on the day and Richard Hannon was of the opinion that they did each other no favors by going from the front. “They both ran good races and are two very good horses, but I’m a little disappointed,” he said. “Log Out Island will get six furlongs and will probably go for the G2 July S. [at Newmarket July 9] and King of Rooks the G3 Molecomb S. [at Goodwood July 29]. They might have gone a bit quick and maybe we set it up for the winner.”

Thursday, Royal Ascot, Britain
NORFOLK S.-G2, £80,000, ASC, 6-18, 2yo, 5fT, :59.98, g/f.
1–#@WATERLOO BRIDGE (IRE), 127, c, 2, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Miss Childrey (Ire) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Dr Fong
2nd Dam: 2nd Dam: Blazing Glory (Ire), by Glow
3rd Dam: 3rd Dam: Salvationist, by Mill Reef
(350,000gns Yrl ‘14 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith,
Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Lynch Bages Ltd
(IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £45,368.
Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $86,499. *3rd stakes
winner (and 1st group winner) for freshman sire (by
Dansili {GB}). **1/2 to Forces of Darkness (Ire)
(Lawman {Fr}), GSW & G1SP-Fr, GSP-US, $272,407.
Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Log Out Island (Ire), 127, c, 2, Dark Angel (Ire)–
White Daffodil (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB).
(£95,000 Ylg ‘14 DNPRM). O-Godolphin;
B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon.
£17,200.
3–King of Rooks (GB), 127, c, 2, Acclamation (GB)–
Slap Shot (Ire), by Lycius. (67,000gns Ylg ‘14
TAOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Azienda Agricola
Valle Falcone SRL (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £8,608.
Margins: HF, HF, HF. Odds: 12.00, 1.60, 1.35.
Also Ran: Riflescope (Ire), Rogues’ Gallery (Ire), French Encore (GB), Ajaya (GB), Jazz Legend, Ocean Eleven (GB), Shanghai Glory (Ire). Scratched: Aragon Knight (GB), Zebstar (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.