by Myra Lewyn

Trainer Jim Bolger appeared poised on Friday to attempt a prestigious double achieved only 15 times in the past 141 years on Sunday with Princess Haya’s Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) victor New Approach in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-G1) at the Curragh.

On Friday evening, the colt’s appearance in the race was in jeopardy. Bolger told Racing Post that New Approach may have a foot bruise.

“We’ll have to wait and see [about his start in the Irish Derby],” Bolger said.
New Approach could bid to become the first horse since High Chaparral (Ire) in 2002 to land the Epsom/Irish Derby double. His sire, Galileo (Ire), accomplished the feat in 2001.

New Approach won the Epsom Derby by a half-length from Ballymacoll Stud’s homebred Tartan Bearer. Moyglare Stud Farm’s homebred Casual Conquest, the 7-to-2 favorite, finished 4 1/2 lengths back in third. Both horses return for the Irish equivalent, first run in 1866, with Tartan Bearer looming as a serious threat.

Bookmaker Boylesports has tabbed New Approach the 5-to-6 favorite, followed by Tartan Bearer at 3-to-1.

Tartan Bearer won the Totesport.com Dante Stakes (Eng-G3) on May 15 prior to his strong race at Epsom, and his connections believe the Spectrum colt will improve on that effort and reverse the outcome at the Curragh.

“I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t have a wonderful opportunity,” Ballymacoll’s racing manager, Peter Reynolds, told the Mirror.co.uk. “We were absolutely delighted with Tartan Bearer at Epsom; he ran a wonderful race.”

Myra Lewyn is daily news editor of Thoroughbred Times