Aidan O’Brien can join the Epsom Derby greats with a Warrior primed for the battle

Setting the standard | Saxon Warrior shows his class in winning the first Classic of the season, the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Michael Cooper1 June 2018

Saxon Warrior can provide Aidan O’Brien with a record-equalling seventh success in the Investec Derby at Epsom tomorrow.

Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling have all previously trained seven Derby winners but serial champion O’Brien, still only 48, has the potential to end up in a league of his own with the help of Coolmore backers John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor.

The trainer’s previous six Derby winners, from Galileo in 2001 through to Wings Of Eagles 12 months ago, all had the special qualities required to win the greatest Flat race of them all but a victory for Saxon Warrior would represent an exciting new chapter for the sport because of his breeding.

His pedigree is an exotic mix with his sire being Deep Impact, the outstanding Japanese champion who carried all before him in his native country and came within a length of landing the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2006. Few of Deep Impact’s offspring have been seen in Europe but a Derby triumph for Saxon Warrior, unbeaten in four starts and already a two-time Group One winner, could trigger a new era.

There can be little doubt Saxon Warrior has inherited some of his father’s brilliance and there is already talk of him becoming the first since Nijinsky, in 1970, to win the Triple Crown.

He achieved the first leg in decisive style when landing the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month and should he win the Derby then O’Brien will aim him towards the St Leger, the final Classic, in September.

“Saxon Warrior has a strong blend of Danehill, Galileo and Deep Impact in him,” said O’Brien. “Those three traits make him different — a horse that we haven’t had before. He is built like a miler but we always thought he would stay middle distances.”

Saxon Warrior’s victory in the 2,000 Guineas at racing’s headquarters, when he had runaway Craven Stakes winner Masar back in third and subsequent easy Dante victor Roaring Lion adrift in fifth, represents the best form on offer. If he can replicate that over an extra half a mile then he should become the 38th horse to complete the Guineas-Derby double.

The portents for him staying are bright because Deep Impact was effective at distances up to two miles, while his dam, Maybe, was proven at up to a mile and a half.

Having also shown himself to be versatile in terms of ground, it is little wonder that bookmakers quote him at about Evens to prevail under Ryan Moore in the QIPCO British Champions Series showpiece.

Roaring Lion, Knight To Behold, Young Rascal and Hazapour have all won established trials for the Derby but those looking for a big-priced alternative should perhaps consider O’Brien’s four-strong B Team.

Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon are open to improvement but the pick of them, at the prices, could be Kew Gardens.

An end-to-end gallop over the Derby trip will play to his strengths and, at a general 33-1, he looks overpriced to make the frame.

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