BOLGER’S HUGE EPSOM REGRET

By Justin Doyle

Jim Bolger admits he could have been celebrating a Derby double last weekend at the Curragh but for his major dilemma concerning the participation of Dawn Approach in the Epsom Derby.

Bolger said last year that Trading Leather was his big hope for 2013 when he stated: “he’s my Derby horse”. However, the purchasing of Dawn Approach by Sheik Mohammed threw a spanner in those plans.

Dawn Approach went on to rout the field in the English 2,000 Guineas which forced Bolger into a rethink that ultimately led to Trading Leather being scratched from the Epsom showpiece at the eleventh hour. Speaking from his Coolcullen yard, he said:

“We’re all still in great spirits here after Trading Leather’s win in the Irish Derby. It was a very memorable and happy occasion for all concerned. In retrospect, I think it’s pretty obvious at this stage that I should have run him at Epsom.”

Trading Leather made his seasonal return in the Dante Stakes at York where he finished fast down the centre of the track to fill the runner-up berth behind Libertarian who flashed home on the far rail.

Libertarian, who had the benefit of two runs prior to that, franked that form considerably with another rattling late run to finish second in the Epsom Derby behind Ruler of the World. Dawn Approach flopped and Bolger stated afterwards “he was out of control”.

But last weekend at the Curragh, Trading Leather trounced both Ruler of the World and Libertarian in the Irish equivalent. A matter-of-fact Bolger readily admitted:

“These things happen in racing. It’s part and parcel of life and there is no doubt now that we left that one (Epsom Derby) behind us.”

However, winning his second Irish Derby is yet another milestone for Bolger and after the exploits of Teofilo, New Approach and many others, RTE pundit Ted Walsh remarked: “He’s the best trainer in Ireland-the best trainer in the world.”

Bolger has no immediate plans for Trading Leather but he had better news for another horse in his yard that he sees as his big star for 2014. Confident and bullish, he said:

“Saburo is fine now after a recent setback. His big target will be the National Stakes followed by the Futurity in England but the National Stakes is his priority. I’ve some late developers but they will be more middle distance horses. Saburo is my No.1 juvenile and he’ll be entered in all the big races.”