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INTERNATIONAL DIARY JUNE 4, 2009 From primordial Greek myths, to Shakespeare's Richard III, the theme of uncle-versus-nephew has served as a riveting plot device, and so it has proven once again with this season's classic generation. SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross [Ire]), a half-brother to champion and hot young sire Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), vanquished a field including GAN AMHRAS (Galileo [Ire]) and RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]) in the May 2 Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1), but can he thwart his "nephews" again in Saturday's Epsom Derby (Eng-G1)? To begin to unravel this question, let's take a closer look at the Guineas, which served as the seasonal reappearance for our protagonists. Sea the Stars had not raced since capturing the Beresford S. (Ire-G2) in September, and he had spiked a fever in March that interrupted his training. Nevertheless, the John Oxx pupil was primed to deliver a top effort in the one-mile classic at Newmarket. Sea the Stars was always traveling beautifully while stalking the pace, and as most of his rivals began to come under pressure, he continued to cruise on the bridle for Mick Kinane. The royally bred bay advanced into contention, joined by DELEGATOR (Dansili [GB]), the impressive winner of the April 16 Craven S. (Eng-G3), who burst into a narrow lead with a quick change of gear. Sea the Stars did not produce the same kind of instantaneous acceleration, but rather lengthened stride as the pair met the rising ground nearly in tandem. Handling the stiff test better than the speedy Delegator, Sea the Stars displayed pure power as he pulled away by 1 1/2 lengths. The manner of his victory is certainly encouraging for his prospects of staying 1 1/2 miles at Epsom, where he will try to become the first to turn the Guineas/Derby double since Nashwan in 1989. The maternal half of his pedigree is similarly reassuring. His dam, the late Urban Sea (Miswaki), defeated males in the 1993 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), and she hails from a robust German family. Several of her progeny have excelled at the trip, chief among them Galileo, hero of the 2001 Derby. If Sea the Stars is successful on Saturday, he would lift his dam to an historic milestone. Only one mare in the last century has produced two Derby winners -- Windmill Girl (Hornbeam), the dam of 1969 victor Blakeney (Hethersett) and 1973 victor Morston (Ragusa). To accomplish that rare feat, however, Sea the Stars must not only see out the trip, but he must do so more energetically than a squadron of highly regarded colts, several with serious credentials themselves. Among these are the respective third- and fourth-place finishers from the Guineas, the Galileo colts Gan Amhras and Rip Van Winkle. Both turned in solid efforts, but with contrasting styles. Gan Amhras, who was in the firing line for much of the race, stuck on determinedly for third, three-quarters of a length adrift of Delegator. The Jim Bolger trainee had good form at two, and given his stamina-laden pedigree, he is eligible to improve when stepping up in distance. The real eye-catcher, however, was Rip Van Winkle from the Aidan O'Brien yard. Although "Rip" has yet to justify his lofty reputation, and disappointed when seventh in the Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1) in his juvenile finale, I suspect that he is on the verge of answering his critics. Admittedly, I have liked Rip since his maiden win via disqualification last summer, but his Guineas performance was a sneakily good one, by any objective measure. He sustained an ill-timed foot bruise earlier that week, and it was touch-and-go before he was deemed fit to run. Reserved far off the pace, Rip did not catch fire until very late, rattling home to just miss third by a diminishing neck and galloping out strongly past Sea the Stars. It's axiomatic that O'Brien runners move up considerably in their second start of the season, so Rip figures to take that quantum leap at Epsom. The unresolved question remains, though: Is he good enough to win? Is he the best of the six-strong team from Ballydoyle, comprising nearly half of the 13-horse Derby field? Stable rider Johnny Murtagh, who reportedly has a "soft spot" for Rip, thinks so, for he has chosen to stick with him at Epsom. Murtagh's selection notwithstanding, the undefeated FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]) deserves to be ranked as O'Brien's top gun going into the Blue Riband, and I expect him to come thundering down the course to live up to his fate-tempting name. Successful in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1) last fall, the bay has followed the same spring itinerary as O'Brien's past Derby winners, Galileo and High Chaparral (Ire). Fame and Glory returned to action with a tidy score in the April 19 Ballysax S. (Ire-G3) at Leopardstown, and he crushed virtually the same field in the May 10 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Ire-G2) back at that venue. Besides his impeccable record, three other things stand out about him. For whatever it's worth, the form stacks up well, on paper, against Sea the Stars. For MOURAYAN (Alhaarth), who was a close second to stablemate Sea the Stars in the Beresford, has been readily beaten by Fame and Glory twice this season. Second, while no one can know in advance whether a horse will cope with the unique gradients of Epsom, Fame and Glory has a fluent, efficient action, suggesting that he's the type to keep his balance. Third, his dam is bred along the same lines as 1985 Derby romper Slip Anchor. Both are by 1978 Derby winner Shirley Heights from German mares. Moreover, Fame and Glory's second dam, German One Thousand Guineas (Ger-G2) heroine Grimpola (Windwurf [Ger]), is intensely inbred to German champion and influential sire Birkhahn. Of O'Brien's other four Derby hopes, AGE OF AQUARIUS (Galileo [Ire]) strikes me as the most intriguing. Fourth to Fame and Glory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, he reappeared in the May 9 Lingfield Derby Trial (Eng-G3), where he set the pace, was headed by Mick Channon's MONTAFF (Montjeu [Ire]), and came again to win by a neck. Montaff, whose third dam is dual classic heroine Midway Lady (Alleged), is himself well regarded, and he deserves credit for a terrific effort in his first outing since recovering from a splint problem. The Lingfield form has been upheld in lesser contests, and with Age of Aquarius sure to improve next time out, he could be a sleeper. Out of a Top Ville mare, he's bred on the same cross that brought us Montjeu (Ire) and Yeats (Ire). Two of O'Brien's entrants are full siblings to classic winners. BLACK BEAR ISLAND (Sadler's Wells), a full brother to High Chaparral, comes off a rallying victory in the Dante S. (Eng-G2) at York, where he outkicked a quality field. Among his victims were a pair of Derby entrants making their seasonal debuts -- Godolphin's KITE WOOD (Galileo [Ire]) and Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) star CROWDED HOUSE (Rainbow Quest), who subsequently scoped badly. Black Bear Island had the advantage of race fitness, as he had begun the season with a troubled third in the Prix La Force (Fr-G3). I don't think that O'Brien is in the habit of deploying his best-fancied Derby hopes to French trials, so I'm not convinced of Black Bear Island's virtues. Underscoring that point, his stablemate FREEMANTLE (Galileo [Ire]) was the one earmarked for the Dante for some time, and he turned in a gallant front-running performance until nailed late by Black Bear Island. I would have tabbed Freemantle to turn the tables in his second start back, but he is awaiting another target. Should Black Bear Island emulate High Chaparral, they would rank as the first Derby-winning full siblings since Persimmon (1896) and Diamond Jubilee (1900). O'Brien's MASTEROFTHEHORSE (Sadler's Wells), a full brother to triple Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Ire), returned with a flying second in the May 7 Chester Vase (Eng-G3). He was undone only by his stablemate GOLDEN SWORD (High Chaparral [Ire]), who benefited from an astute front-running ride. Masterofthehorse, who was beaten all of a half-length by Sea the Stars in the Beresford last year, fits the profile of another second-out improver for O'Brien. Of the Ballydoyle six, Golden Sword looks like the designated pacemaker at Epsom. The Derby will have a special character this year, coming just days after the passing of the legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien, a six-time Derby winner and the founder of Ballydoyle. Fitting tributes are planned on Saturday, but the greatest of all would be the triumph of a Ballydoyle-trained colt. Before turning our attention to the three-year-old fillies, two other colts' classics should be noted. Aidan O'Brien's MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Danehill Dancer), a respectable fifth in the Guineas at Newmarket, came back to trounce his opponents in the May 23 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) at the Curragh. Once again illustrating the seismic shift that occurs second time out for the yard, the gray colt left the field for dead on the heavy ground, bolting clear in a few strides to win as his rider pleased by 4 1/2 lengths. Mastercraftsman is by no means a soft-ground specialist either, for he had won every bit as impressively in the Phoenix S. (Ire-G1) as a juvenile on good-to-firm turf. Furthermore, his Irish Guineas demolition job begs the question of what he might have done at Newmarket if he'd had a prep run. With Sea the Stars competing at longer distances now, Mastercraftsman can seize the mantle of best three-year-old miler, and he's likely to cement that status in the June 16 St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Mastercraftsman has no shortage of stamina on his dam's side, and he could well stay 10 furlongs, opening up further options. I'm less sure what to make of the winner of the French Two Thousand Guineas. SILVER FROST (Verglas [Ire]) finished strongly to garner the May 10 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1) at Longchamp by two lengths, despite losing a front shoe. The Yves de Nicolay pupil is three-for-three this campaign, and he is undoubtedly a game, honest and classy individual. Still, Silver Frost did not look quite up to classic standard at two, so I have a nagging sense that his accomplishments are those of a hardy overachiever, rather than a world-class force. The gray will probably be favored in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (Fr-G1) at Chantilly, his first test at 10 1/2 furlongs. Silver Frost could be ripe for an upset. At first, I thought that Prix Hocquart (Fr-G2) hero WAJIR (Danehill Dancer), from a stellar Wildenstein family, would be the likeliest candidate to do the honors, until the bombshell news came that the Aga Khan's exciting BEHESHTAM (Peintre Celebre) would be supplemented to the French Derby. A perfect two-for-two so far, the chestnut has displayed the arrogant nonchalance that only the best possess. Beheshtam has the raw ability to handle the class hike, but the key question will involve the distance. The Alain de Royer-Dupre pupil has yet to race over shorter than 12 furlongs, and 10 1/2 could be on the sharp side for him. Still, his patient and cautious connections are reversing themselves in order to supplement, and that bespeaks a high level of confidence. I think that the sky is the limit for Beheshtam. Just as the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket yielded a regally bred winner in Sea the Stars, so did the May 3 One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) produce a heroine for pedigree pundits to savor in GHANAATI (Giant's Causeway). The Sheikh Hamdan filly is out of a half-sister to Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain, but she was ignored in the Guineas wagering as a mere Polytrack maiden winner from last October. Ghanaati showed that summary judgment to be all wrong in her turf debut. Showing ample cruising speed to prompt the early pace, the Barry Hills trainee stayed on in impressive fashion to defeat CUIS GHAIRE (Galileo [Ire]) by 1 1/2 lengths. Ghanaati plans to stick to a mile for the June 19 Coronation S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, but Hills believes that she will handle 10 furlongs. Looking long-term, he mentioned the October 17 Champion S. (Eng-G1) versus older males, and the Breeders' Cup, as possible objectives. It must be noted that the ground was extremely fast for the One Thousand Guineas, reportedly even firmer than the prior day's Two Thousand Guineas. Ghanaati thrived on it, but not everyone found it so agreeable. The opposite situation prevailed when a few of the fillies renewed rivalry in the May 24 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) on desperately heavy going. Predictably, the English form was turned upside down. Cuis Ghaire hated the going and wound up almost in the next county in 15th. Fighting out the finish were AGAIN (Danehill Dancer), who had been withdrawn from Newmarket because of the firm ground, and LAHALEEB (Redback), who ran below par at Newmarket and turned in a more representative effort at the Curragh. Lahaleeb slogged to a daylight lead in the stretch, but Again conjured up a sustained run to collar her approaching the line, giving trainer David Wachman his first classic victory. Although Again would have been a player in Friday's Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1), Wachman decided it came too soon after her taxing reappearance in the Irish Guineas. Nevertheless, the lesson of the Irish Guineas -- that fillies who did not cope with the ground at Newmarket deserve another chance on more suitable going -- has ramifications for the Oaks. RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer), last year's champion juvenile filly, lost her unbeaten record when fifth in the English Guineas, struggling on the firm turf. The John Gosden pupil bids to regain her luster in the Oaks, and she should relish stretching out to 1 1/2 miles at Epsom. The course was watered earlier this week to provide for good, safe ground, so she should not find it too firm. A homebred campaigned by George Strawbridge, Rainbow View comes from the family of Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) star Raven's Pass. Standing in her way are several up-and-comers. SARISKA (Pivotal), a closing fourth to Lahaleeb in the April 18 Fred Darling S. (Eng-G3), catapulted into Oaks favoritism with a 3 3/4-length romp in the May 13 Musidora S. (Eng-G3) at York. Trainer Michael Bell has been effusive, not to say fulsome, in his praise for the filly, and it would be no surprise if she vindicates his view. On the other hand, a couple of her Musidora rivals obviously did not run up to their best that day, including Hills' smart HIGH HEELED (High Chaparral [Ire]), who had thrashed a useful group of colts in her reappearance and is eligible to finish much closer to Sariska Friday. All things considered, Sariska's odds (5-2 at this writing) look rather stingy. In contrast, the Henry Cecil-trained MIDDAY (Oasis Dream [GB]) shapes up as the most attractive alternative to Rainbow View. Runner-up to Derby entrant DEBUSSY (Diesis [GB]) in her sophomore bow in an Epsom conditions race, she returned to fillies' company and pulverized her foes by six lengths in the May 9 Lingfield Oaks Trial. The Juddmonte homebred did not beat the deepest field that day, but I hardly think Sariska would have done any better against the same bunch. Midday is out of a half-sister to 1997 Oaks queen Reams of Verse (Nureyev), and she is qualified to add another classic laurel to the family. One of the also-rans from the Lingfield Oaks Trial, WADAAT (Diktat), came back to miss by inches in the May 24 Oaks d'Italia (Ity-G2), but it wouldn't be entirely fair to take that as a form boost. Trainer Clive Brittain was openly critical of the ride Wadaat received at Lingfield, and she got a jockey switch to ensure she was ridden in her preferred close-up style at Milan. Wadaat will get another crack at Midday at Epsom, and while she may get closer than she did at Lingfield, I doubt she can bridge the 15 1/2-length gap. O'Brien's only Oaks hope is PERFECT TRUTH (Galileo [Ire]), who broke her maiden in her eighth try last time out in the Cheshire Oaks. She set a demanding pace and just held on from the fast-finishing maiden PHILLIPINA (Medicean), establishing a new course record for 11 1/2 furlongs at Chester. Perfect Truth is on an upward curve, and being out of a half-sister to two-time Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-G1) winner Gildoran, her stamina is abundant. Interestingly, Phillipina was originally not supposed to go on to Epsom, but the ever-dangerous Sir Michael Stoute has decided to let the filly, from the family of Islington (Ire), take her chance after all. Even so, both Cheshire Oaks fillies must prove themselves in a much higher grade. Bolger will saddle OH GOODNESS ME (Galileo [Ire]), who brings some solid form. She finished second to the aforementioned colt Mourayan in the Eyrefield S. last fall, she beat older distaffers in the March 22 Park Express S. (Ire-G3), and she was most recently third in the Irish One Thousand Guineas, doggedly plugging on after chasing the pace. Oh Goodness Me may lack the thrust required to win, but she won't quit either, and she is the sort who could lift a minor award at a handsome price. Oh Goodness Me has thrown in only two clunkers in her eight-race career -- her debut last August, and the May 10 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) at Longchamp. In her defense, she was far back throughout in a race that was dominated by the front-running ELUSIVE WAVE (Elusive City), and none of the closers landed a blow. The once-beaten Elusive Wave is too talented to allow an uncontested lead, and she took full advantage. The Jean-Claude Rouget trainee slowed the tempo, conserving more than enough energy for the drive, and when she quickened, it was all over. Forwardly placed runners filled the top four positions, with fellow Rouget pupil TAMAZIRTE (Danehill Dancer) closing best of all to reduce the winning margin to a half-length. Elusive Wave is likely headed to the Coronation at Royal Ascot, which could wind up being a summit meeting for the Big Three Guineas winners. The third- and fourth-place finishers, FANTASIA (Sadler's Wells) and PROPORTIONAL (Beat Hollow [GB]), will instead step up to 10 1/2 furlongs for the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1) on June 14, and we have not heard the last of them. Fantasia was a scintillating winner of the April 15 Nell Gwyn S. (Eng-G3) in her return, and she may well have challenged Ghanaati in the English Guineas. Owner Strawbridge did not want to run her in the same race as Rainbow View, however, so she was re-routed to France. I would have preferred Fantasia to tackle the Coronation, where she had the opportunity to stamp herself as the top miler in her division. Proportional remains the only filly to have beaten Elusive Wave, in last fall's Prix Marcel Boussac (Fr-G1), but she is 0-for-2 this season. Judging by her pedigree, Proportional has probably been crying out for a much longer trip, and the Diane could spark a renaissance for her. Fantasia and Proportional may find themselves thwarted yet again by Rouget, who will dispatch the undefeated dynamo STACELITA (Monsun) in the Diane. The French-bred with the thoroughly German pedigree is exiting an imperious conquest in the May 17 Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-G1). Stacelita has raced only on soft or heavy ground so far, and she will face a higher caliber of rival next time, but she looks like the genuine article. Now that we've surveyed the English, Irish and French classics, we'll shift gears to the older horses. As has become customary, the March 28 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) program turned out to be a significant form guide for the early-season contests. Both turf events on the evening were won by horses who achieved little to nothing for Godolphin, but were transformed under the care of newcomer Mubarak bin Shafya. The nearly nine-furlong Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) witnessed the arrival of a bona fide star in GLADIATORUS (Silic [Fr]), who made 10 Group/Grade 1 winners look like claimers. Rolling straight to the front, he set a more than honest pace, opened up a commanding lead, and was never threatened in a superlative performance. Once a prolific two-year-old in Italy, Gladiatorus missed his entire three-year-old campaign with Godolphin. He was three-for-three since joining bin Shafya, landing a turf handicap and the Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G2) prior to the Duty Free. Gladiatorus has subsequently been transferred once more to Godolphin, and his initial European target has yet to be confirmed. The rapidly improving, former handicapper PRESVIS (Sakhee) ran a barnstormer of a race in the Duty Free, despite breaking widest of all in post 16. Making his stakes debut, the Luca Cumani charge exploded late to finish a hard-charging second, beaten a total of 3 1/4 lengths by Gladiatorus. Presvis has since upheld the Duty Free form twice in the Far East. In the April 26 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1), he rallied from last to defeat Hong Kong star VIVA PATACA (Marju), and in the May 17 Singapore Airlines International Cup (Mal-G1), his late rush fell a head short, with a bad post and the short Kranji stretch both conspiring against him. The winner, GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (Impression), was last seen finishing a remote second to WELL ARMED (Tiznow) in the Dubai World Cup. Other Duty Free graduates to make a subsequent mark include third-place finisher ALEXANDROS (Kingmambo) and seventh VODKA (Tanino Gimlet). Godolphin's Alexandros lost a heart-breaking photo in the May 16 Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) at Newbury. He was ahead before the wire, and after the wire, but was a whisker short on the wire, with VIRTUAL (Pivotal) just edging him out. Finishing a close fourth was PACO BOY (Desert Style), who had been eighth in the Duty Free. Vodka returned to the distaff division in her native Japan and blitzed by seven lengths in the May 17 Victoria Mile (Jpn-G1), setting a new stakes record in the process. She will next mount a title defense in Sunday's Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1) versus males. Like Gladiatorus, EASTERN ANTHEM (Singspiel [Ire]) failed to deliver much for Godolphin, but the one-time Derby candidate came through for bin Shafya in the 1 1/2-mile Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) on World Cup night. Despite being held up in last, in a race that has favored early pace types in recent years, the son of dual classic queen Kazzia (Ger) (Zinaad) launched an improbable rally in the stretch. Eastern Anthem got up in time in a dramatic three-way photo, denying SPANISH MOON (El Prado [Ire]) and PURPLE MOON (Galileo [Ire]). YOUMZAIN (Sinndar), the two-time Arc runner-up, managed to find trouble on his way to a fourth-place finish. Unlike the Duty Free, the formlines emerging from the Sheema Classic will only receive their first meaningful test in Friday's Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom. Eastern Anthem, now again with Godolphin, will try to extend his winning streak to four, while Youmzain will look to exact revenge. No horse in training is more overdue for a British Group 1 score than Youmzain, who was a rallying second in the Coronation Cup one year ago. The Sheema alumni will be tested at Epsom by last year's smashing Oaks heroine LOOK HERE (Hernando [Fr]), who will be making her seasonal reappearance, and Stoute's ASK (GB) (Sadler's Wells), who comes off a six-length rout in the 14-furlong Yorkshire Cup (Eng-G2) on May 15. I was a little surprised that O'Brien entered FROZEN FIRE (Montjeu [Ire]), considering that he did not run well at all in the Derby over the course and distance last year. Frozen Fire went on to claim the Irish Derby (Ire-G1) in his next start, so he's capable of being a major factor in the division. It will be fascinating to see if he handles Epsom better this time around. Speaking of the 2008 Derby, the runner-up and third-place finishers have already made their presence felt this season, and their success only reflects further glory upon their Epsom conqueror, the now-retired New Approach. Derby third CASUAL CONQUEST (Hernando [Fr]) got back on the winning track by dominating the May 24 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Ire-G1) from pillar to post. Looking progressively stronger the farther he went, the Dermot Weld charge will be given a summer break to point for the Arc. 2008 Derby runner-up TARTAN BEARER (Spectrum) swooped late to capture the April 25 Gordon Richards S. (Eng-G3) at Sandown, despite Stoute's concerns that he was rusty and in need of the race. Sidelined since his third to Frozen Fire in the Irish Derby, Tartan Bearer could not have posted a more encouraging effort in his first start in 10 months. The flashy chestnut is now aiming for the June 17 Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, where he must rate as the horse to beat. Others expected to line up are last year's French Derby victor VISION D’ETAT (Chichicastenango), a convincing winner of the April 26 Prix Ganay (Fr-G1), and NEVER ON SUNDAY (Sunday Break [Jpn]), who exits a victory in a curious renewal of the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1) on May 17. The d'Ispahan was rendered strange principally because of the shocking non-effort put in by GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa), who was making her first start since her coup in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). The Freddie Head filly gave up the ghost and faded to seventh, more than 10 lengths adrift of Never on Sunday. Her pacemaker fared better, hanging on for fourth. The ground was softer than ideal, but one wouldn't have thought it bad enough to account for her debacle. Nor was there anything physically wrong with Goldikova, according to the colorfully named, but valuable, frogsracing.com. She was not even in season at the time. Hopefully this is not a case of a star filly losing interest in the game. We'll know more after her next engagement, the July 8 Falmouth S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket. Goldikova was not the only Breeders' Cup winner to start 2009 on a losing note. Juvenile Turf hero DONATIVUM (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux), who left Gosden and joined Godolphin, finished fourth after being rank early in the May 23 King Charles II S. at Newmarket. The gray gelding is projected to improve next time out, possibly reappearing in the June 17 Jersey S. (Eng-G3) at Royal Ascot. CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani), who snared an Eclipse Award by taking the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), did by far the best of the returning Breeders' Cup trio when just failing in the May 28 Brigadier Gerard S. (Eng-G3) at Sandown. The Stoute trainee was cutting back to 1 1/4 miles, considerably short of his best, and conceding seven pounds to the field as the 133-pound highweight. After battling to the front inside the final furlong, Conduit was nipped on the line by the race-fit CIMA DE TRIOMPHE (Galileo [Ire]) from the Cumani stable. Conduit lost nothing in defeat, and in view of how much he progressed over the course of last season, our reigning champion turf horse should revisit the winner's enclosure before long. Our next edition will recap all the action from Epsom, Chantilly and Royal Ascot, and look ahead to the Irish Derby.
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