James J Braddock Denies Pierre Bonnard in Leopardstown Derby Trial Photo Finish
In a dramatic conclusion to the Group 3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, James J Braddock surged late to deny the odds-on favourite, Pierre Bonnard, in a thrilling photo finish. The victory significantly enhances the Classic claims of Joseph O’Brien’s runner while leaving questions surrounding the current form of the Ballydoyle contender.
Pierre Bonnard entered the race under immense pressure to reclaim his status as the leading candidate for the Epsom Derby. Despite being the market leader for much of the contest, he was unable to hold off the late challenge from James J Braddock, marking another disappointing outing for the Camelot colt.
A Rollercoaster Path for the Ballydoyle Favourite
The trajectory of Pierre Bonnard’s three-year-old campaign has been marked by volatility. Once the ante-post favourite for the Epsom Classic, the colt’s reputation was built on a productive juvenile season, highlighted by a dominant performance in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes at Newmarket in October. In that outing, he powered a length and a half clear of Endorsement to signal his potential as a top-tier Classic prospect.
Struggles in the Spring
The momentum shifted during his seasonal reappearance in the Ballysax Stakes four weeks ago. Expected to make a successful start, Pierre Bonnard instead finished well-beaten under jockey Ryan Moore. This performance allowed stablemates Benvenuto Cellini and Constitution River to leapfrog him in the Derby market following their own decisive trial wins at Chester.
Aidan O’Brien Maintains Faith Ahead of Epsom
Despite the back-to-back disappointments in the Ballysax and the Leopardstown Derby Trial, trainer Aidan O’Brien remains steadfast in his belief that the horse has the quality to compete at the highest level on June 6.
Addressing the horse’s recent form during a press morning at Ballydoyle, O’Brien urged supporters not to write off the colt. “Don’t lose faith in Pierre yet,” O’Brien stated. “Things just went wrong and it was just a start off (in the Ballysax).”
O’Brien described Pierre Bonnard as a “big, powerful horse” and suggested that the recent runs were necessary preparations for the premier Classic. He emphasized that the team believes the horse will eventually leave these recent setbacks behind him.
The Road to the Epsom Derby
The Leopardstown Derby Trial was a family affair for the O’Brien clan. While Joseph O’Brien secured the victory with James J Braddock, Aidan O’Brien also saddled the Ballysax runner-up Endorsement and the outsider Straight Up. Donnacha O’Brien was represented in the field by Shaihaan.
As the countdown to June 6 begins, the Ballydoyle team now faces a strategic decision regarding their number one contender. With Benvenuto Cellini and Constitution River showing strong form, Pierre Bonnard must now prove he can translate his raw power into a winning performance at Epsom.
Key Takeaways: Leopardstown Derby Trial
- The Winner: James J Braddock (trained by Joseph O’Brien) won in a photo finish.
- The Favourite: Pierre Bonnard (trained by Aidan O’Brien) was beaten as the odds-on favourite.
- Ballydoyle Outlook: Aidan O’Brien maintains that Pierre Bonnard is a powerful horse and remains a contender for Epsom.
- Upcoming Target: The Epsom Derby, scheduled for June 6.
While the photo-finish defeat is a blow to Pierre Bonnard’s immediate standing, his previous Group 3 success and the unwavering support of his trainer suggest he remains a dangerous, if unpredictable, element in the Derby market.