Duke Of Marmalade prevails in thriller
July 27th 2008 01:50
Duke Of Marmalade became the fourteenth Group One winner for Aidan O’Brien this season with an heroic performance to win the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot (2400m). This was a win to silence any doubts as to the character and stamina of this exceptional horse.
(photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)
Duke Of Marmalade has always proven difficult to assess even to the fine eye and skills of his trainer Aidan O’Brien, and jockey Johnny Murtagh. The Duke never asserts himself unduly and does enough to win his races - even Aidan O’Brien had some doubts that he would truly run out the mile and a half distance.
Duke Of Marmalade was given a nearly perfect ride by Johnny Murtagh (his collaboration and combination with Aidan O’Brien has been an important factor in several wins this season) and was set alight at the two furlong pole and quickly opened up what appeared to be a wining lead. Most were left in the wake - but it was the late developing and improving Papal Bull who not only was not left flat-footed, but surprisingly (at 14/1) sprinted so quickly as to claim Duke Of Marmalade and forge a half length past him.
The tale appeared told. The Duke would be brilliant, but not run out the extra trip. But Johnny Murtagh had not called upon all reserves. There was one last question to be asked. It would test his stamina and his bravery as Papal Bull leaned slightly on him and imposed his presence and will to win.
This was a day when a new champion arrived. This horse of lazy demeanour that drew some doubt about his will to be a racehorse in a contest answered all critics as he drew himself forward again for a further effort and battle to the line. Not to succumb. Not to give in. The two horses drove to the line in a duel as Duke Of Marmalade strained and stretched (flattened and increased his stride) as he drove to level with Papal Bull who was not weakening and still in full stride. Fifty yards out and Papal Bull might still prevail. But within the shadows of the post Duke Of Marmalade fought and forged to win by a margin (half a length) that seemed improbable some few seconds earlier.
This King George has been considered by many to be one of the greatest contests in British racing for many years. I can draw on the images of stablemate Dylan Thomas displaying similar qualities to prevail over Ouija Board, and then Youmzain in the 2007 Arc (Youmzain was 3rd in this King George today behind Duke Of Marmalade).
Aidan O’Brien sums up his admiration for Duke Of Marmalade with this quote:
"He had a bad fracture after Goodwood as a two-year-old and he had pins put in his front joint and they were hurting him last year. We were never really able to train him because he was semi-lame all the time. He wasn't able to use himself the way he's using himself this year. He had that speed at two but lost it last year because of the problems but he has got it back again now. He is a very good horse."
Duke Of Marmalade is another champion son of Danehill on the Ballydole/Coolmore roster.
Here is the video. Great race (you will see Youmzain get squeezed and cut out in the straight - but he just would’ve finished a bit closer):
Duke Of Marmalade wins the King George
(photo: David Rogers / Getty Images)
Duke Of Marmalade has always proven difficult to assess even to the fine eye and skills of his trainer Aidan O’Brien, and jockey Johnny Murtagh. The Duke never asserts himself unduly and does enough to win his races - even Aidan O’Brien had some doubts that he would truly run out the mile and a half distance.
Duke Of Marmalade was given a nearly perfect ride by Johnny Murtagh (his collaboration and combination with Aidan O’Brien has been an important factor in several wins this season) and was set alight at the two furlong pole and quickly opened up what appeared to be a wining lead. Most were left in the wake - but it was the late developing and improving Papal Bull who not only was not left flat-footed, but surprisingly (at 14/1) sprinted so quickly as to claim Duke Of Marmalade and forge a half length past him.
The tale appeared told. The Duke would be brilliant, but not run out the extra trip. But Johnny Murtagh had not called upon all reserves. There was one last question to be asked. It would test his stamina and his bravery as Papal Bull leaned slightly on him and imposed his presence and will to win.
This was a day when a new champion arrived. This horse of lazy demeanour that drew some doubt about his will to be a racehorse in a contest answered all critics as he drew himself forward again for a further effort and battle to the line. Not to succumb. Not to give in. The two horses drove to the line in a duel as Duke Of Marmalade strained and stretched (flattened and increased his stride) as he drove to level with Papal Bull who was not weakening and still in full stride. Fifty yards out and Papal Bull might still prevail. But within the shadows of the post Duke Of Marmalade fought and forged to win by a margin (half a length) that seemed improbable some few seconds earlier.
This King George has been considered by many to be one of the greatest contests in British racing for many years. I can draw on the images of stablemate Dylan Thomas displaying similar qualities to prevail over Ouija Board, and then Youmzain in the 2007 Arc (Youmzain was 3rd in this King George today behind Duke Of Marmalade).
Aidan O’Brien sums up his admiration for Duke Of Marmalade with this quote:
"He had a bad fracture after Goodwood as a two-year-old and he had pins put in his front joint and they were hurting him last year. We were never really able to train him because he was semi-lame all the time. He wasn't able to use himself the way he's using himself this year. He had that speed at two but lost it last year because of the problems but he has got it back again now. He is a very good horse."
Duke Of Marmalade is another champion son of Danehill on the Ballydole/Coolmore roster.
Here is the video. Great race (you will see Youmzain get squeezed and cut out in the straight - but he just would’ve finished a bit closer):
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