Bolshoi Ballet Boosts Derby Dream With Ballysax Success
Bolshoi Ballet (3c Galileo - Alta Anna, by Anabaa) strengthened his claims for the Epsom Derby when running out a commanding winner of the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The Aidan O’Brien trained colt ran out an impressive winner of his maiden at the track last October and finished a promising fifth in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud the following week, when he was beaten just two and a quarter lengths.
Sent off favourite on his seasonal return, he raced prominently under Ryan Moore and joined the leader approaching the three furlong marker. Pushed out, he went clear inside the final furlong to score by two and a quarter lengths. Flying Visit (Pride Of Dubai), winner of the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes last season, kept on for second.
O’Brien later earmarked a return for next month’s Derby Trial, adding, “Bolshoi Ballet would have learned a lot today and we're delighted with him.”
Owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Bolshoi Ballet becomes an 11thwinner of the race for Aidan O’Brien, who saddled his sire Galileo to win the 2001 running.
Bred by Lynch Bages and Rhinestone Bloodstock, the bay should relish the Derby trip, being a full-brother to Southern France (Galileo), himself successful in three Stakes races over a mile and a half or further.