The Derby market saw a shakeup in its ranks yesterday as Pierre Bonnard was beaten in the Ballysax Stakes. The son of Camelot progressed well last autumn, winning two Group races under Christophe Soumillon. The latest came in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, pulling two-lengths clear of some smart types.
However, despite being a warm favourite for his return, Pierre Bonnard failed to land a blow under Ryan Moore. Settled in midfield on the rail, he found very little for pressure and stayed on at the one pace. Coolmore still had the forecast, as another Camelot colt in Christmas Day landed the spoils. The outsider of the Ballydoyle quartet was always prominent and travelling for Wayne Lordan, picking up his stablemate late on. Endorsement finished second under Ronan Whelan, who was twice behind Pierre Bonnard last season. Italy, who tended to race keenly last season, settled better in a hood and stayed on for fourth.
Ballysax winner ‘floating under the radar’ – Aidan O’Brien
Speaking to Racing TV afterwards, O’Brien noted: “The race kind of broke into two halves a little bit. It was a little bit of a stop-start race, but we were very happy. Wayne was very happy with his horse, he gave him a lovely ride. Ronan was the same.
“Ryan said he would have preferred to be handier and in a little bit more of a rhythm. He ended up where he ended up and he said he was on the bad ground. But he was very happy with the horse. He said he had two blows. We thought that that would happen.”
On the winner, O’Brien said he’s “a smart horse. We won a Group race around here with Jack. We were going to a Group One with him next time in France. He got a temperature and didn’t get to go. He’s just one of those horses that is very uncomplicated. He’s kind of floating along under the radar the whole time.”
Despite the obvious disappointing run, O’Brien still retains faith in Pierre Bonnard as he said: “Ryan’s horse will leave the run well behind him, he’s a horse that is going to get a mile and a half well. We’re still happy to have got the run in to him. We just felt if he was going to the Derby he needed two runs, win lose or draw.”
There’s still plenty of racing to be had prior to the Derby and if history has taught us anything, it’s we can never write off a Ballydoyle horse on the back of one moderate effort.