Will Aidan O’Brien watch a ninth Derby win in High Definition?

Yes, yes i know! Juvenile maiden winner on debut causes hyperbolic reaction! High Definition produced a debut performance of some note on Saturday afternoon. Things failed to go his way until late, yet he was still well on top at the line. Given connections and breeding, it’s no surprise that bigger targets will be on the radar for an impressive winner.

Curragh Debut

Green and clueless, he was trapped rather wide in the early stages. Three furlongs from home he was still last, finding trouble when going for a run into the final quarter. It was a frankly remarkable performance from that point, scything his way from the nearside to far and winning snugly at the line. Time will show what he has beaten but Ballydoyle tend to leave plenty to work on.

Pedigree

No surprise to see that he is a son of Galileo, out of the decent mare Palace. The third mating from this cross, the first produced Royal Aide. A mile and a half winner on the flat and a hurdle scorer, stamina is his strong suit. The second produced Innisfree who has not been seen since runner-up to Kameko in the Vertem Futurity Trophy last November. His dam was seventh in the Oaks behind Taghrooda in 2014, a Listed winner and placed at Group 3 level.

Future

Introduced in the Derby market at 50/1 as he crossed the line by bet365, he was soon half those odds. Unibet also cut him to 25’s before further support drove his price down to 20/1. He holds entries in a pair of Group 2 events in September. The Champion Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown on September 12th and the Beresford over this course and distance are that pair, both looking suitable. The runner-up today – Wordsworth – is likely to be well regarded given his name so this contest should turn out to be a strong form guide going forward.