O’Brien keeps Her Majesty waiting

Her Majesty has tasted victory in the Oaks, both Guineas and the St Leger, but a Derby victory continues to prove elusive.

After winning the Dante Stakes at York, Sir Michael Stoute’s Carlton House went to the Epsom Derby as a hot favourite, but a Royal winner was not to be as he could finish only third.

Having suffered a setback in the week leading up to the world’s most famous Flat race, better was expected in Ireland off the back of a clear run, but the result was much the same.

All appeared to be going to plan as Ryan Moore inched his mount closer rounding the turn for home, but the acceleration that had looked so potent over a mile and a quarter at York in May, could not be applied over this longer distance. Treasure Beach, one place ahead of Carlton House and beaten just a head by Pour Moi at Epsom, travelled kindly for Colm O’Donoghue and was also bang there turning for home.

The 7-2 chance was able to find another gear when it mattered to get the better of his strong-travelling stablemate Seville by three-quarters of a length, providing O’Donoghue his first victory in the race.

The pace-setting Memphis Tennessee finished third to give O’Brien a remarkable one-two-three in the race.

O’Brien, winning an incredible sixth consecutive Irish Derby, said: “Memphis Tennessee set a nice, even pace and it seemed to suit all the horses.

“Colm was excellent on Treasure Beach and settled him beautifully before producing him brilliantly.

“Treasure Beach has progressed with every run and he has a few options now – he could go for the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp, the King George (Ascot), or he could have a break before coming back for the second half.” John Warren, racing manager for the Queen, said Carlton House ran “flat” and is likely to be dropped in distance to a mile and a quarter.

Paul Pickard enjoyed a day to remember when steering Tominator home in the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday. The young East Yorkshire jockey, who is based with Brian Ellison in Malton, delivered the Reg Hollinshead-trained 25-1 shot with a devastating late run to beat Montaff by a length and three-quarters.

Pickard said: “It’s a big moment, my biggest career success. He was always travelling nicely for me.”

Andrew Hollinshead, assistant trainer to 87-year-old father, said: “The reason we first bought him was because he had a staying pedigree and he’s shown he has plenty of stamina.

“We took him to France last winter and he was unlucky not to win out there.

“I’m not sure where we’ll go now as he’s going to go up handicap-wise. I’m not sure there will be many handicaps left for him.

“I would think he’ll go jumping at some stage.”

Silvestre De Sousa’s star has taken a considerable rise this season and he showed why with a brilliant ride on David O’Meara’s 2-1 shot Kool Henry in the Irish E.B.F./Tarmac Maiden Stakes.

“It was a fantastic ride from Silvestre and the horse deserved it as he was really tough,” said O’Meara.

“We’ll see how he is but he is entered in a novice at Beverley (on Friday).”

De Sousa doubled up courtesy of the David Simcock-trained Weapon Of Choice (6-1) in the Try totequickpick If You’re Feeling Lucky Handicap, while Imperial Djay and James Sullivan led home his better-fancied stablemate Dubai Dynamo to give Ruth Carr a one-two in the totesport 0800 221 221 Handicap.

Carr said: “It’s unfair one of them had to lose really and Dubai Dynamo has been such a consistent horse.

“I’m not sure where the winner will go now, but Dubai Dynamo is entered at Doncaster.”

The Mark Johnston-trained Jukebox Jury booked a possible tilt at the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes with his success in the Listed Fred Archer Stakes at Newmarket.

Johnston said: “It was a big step down in class, as he never seems to have been out of Group Ones since his last win here. We’ll have a think about it now, it’s nice to have him back and I certainly wouldn’t rule out Ascot.”