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Derby glory for Fame
Fame And Glory ran out a wide-margin winner of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh yesterday.
Aidan O'Brien's colt was sent off the 8-11 favourite to go one better than when second to Sea The Stars in the Epsom equivalent, and travelled nicely towards the rear of the field in the early stages.
As the pacesetters dropped away, Golden Sword was the first to go for home.
But Fame And Glory, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, soon reeled him in and powered away in the final furlong to score decisively from his stablemate.
Mourayan, trained by John Oxx, was third.
It was a record-breaking seventh success in the race for O'Brien and a third for Murtagh following victories aboard Sinndar and Alamshar.
Fame And Glory oozed class as he pulled away from his rivals with five lengths in hand over 11-1 chance Golden Sword, who finished fifth in the Epsom Derby.
Mourayan, a stablemate of Sea The Stars, who was withdrawn from the Irish Derby on Saturday on account of the rain-softened ground, stayed on gamely for third.
O'Brien said: ''He's got a lot of tactical speed and was very quick to get into his stride.
''He's a great traveller and he's a classy horse.
''It was a great performance from Golden Sword. He improved from his run at Chester and has improved again from the Derby at Epsom.
''It's unbelievable to win this race again.
''When there is expectation, like there was today, it's always tense but this is marvellous.''
Spanish Moon stayed on gamely for Ryan Moore to take top honours in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Sir Michael Stoute's horse is currently serving a suspension from British racecourses after failing to go into the stalls at Newmarket in May.
Although again slightly reluctant to enter the traps, Moore's partner was thankfully more compliant in France and was able to take his chance.
Travelling nicely in behind the early leaders, Spanish Moon (8-1) was unleashed with a withering run inside the final two furlongs and soon went to the front.
Alpine Rose was second, while Mick Channon's odds-on favourite Youmzain failed to pick up at a crucial stage and had to make do with minor honours in third.
Stoute said: ''I want to thank the French starters for helping him into the stalls.
''The horse is entered in the Arc and we shall discuss that option.''
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Weather for Yorkshire
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
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Wind direction: North west
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Sunny spells
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