Luxembourg makes derby waves in Beresford | Course news
Luxembourg topped the market for next year’s Cazoo Derby after running away with the Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and wearing the colors of Westerberg, who owns the colt in partnership with the Coolmore team, Luxembourg achieved a double in the great race for connections as Tenebrism had clinched the Cheveley Park Stakes in Newmarket a few moments ago previously.
Like this filly, Luxembourg came from a seemingly unpromising position at the back of the field in the Group 2 mile to win in style.
Tuwaiq, whom Luxembourg had beaten in their only previous start in Killarney in July, led from pole position for jockey Gary Carroll, but when Seamie Heffernan changed the winner to challenge the response was instantaneous.
Luxembourg quickly took control and stretched, despite some signs of greenery, to win four lengths and three quarters behind Manu and Corde.
Camelot’s half-brother to Group 2 winner Leo De Fury, Luxembourg are Coral’s new 10-1 Derby co-favorite with teammate Point Lonsdale and Queen-owned Reach For The Moon.
Heffernan said, “He’s very smart at home and he’s proven it twice now. I was very impressed – very talented, very fluid.
“The most impressive choice about him is that he knows he’s good and that he doesn’t show it. It doesn’t show you until you hit the button and say “watch us”.
“When you have that turn, a mile is well in its comfort zone.
“His father was a good horse who had the pace and the class to win a Guineas. If Aidan wants him to run in the Guineas he will change his galloping procedures and if he is aiming for the Derby he will take a different path.
“The kicking he showed me today was pretty exciting. I don’t know what he’s going to be targeted at, but he couldn’t have done it more easily. “
Speaking from Newmarket, O’Brien added, “We have always thought about the world of this horse. “