Irish Derby To Nijinsky

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32335, 29 June 1970, Page 6

Irish Derby To Nijinsky

(N.Z.P.A.-Keuter —Copyright) DUBLIN. Nijinsky, the fabulous Canadian - bred colt, boosted his total winnings to almost £170,000 when he swept to victory in the Irish Sweeps Derby at the Curragh on Saturday. Mr Charles Engelhard’s powerful colt, which won the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket and the Epsom Derby earlier in the season, was a hot 11-to-four-on fav. ourite. He fully justified his odds with a clear win over the English colt Meadowviile to earn the £57,010 winner’s purse. Ireland’s L. Ward rode Nijinsky, replacing England’s champion jockey, t,. Piggott,

who rode the Americanowned colt in the Epsom Derby and Two Thousand Guineas. Ward was given the mount as he rides all Vincent O’Brien’s runners in big Irish races. Nijinsky 8 win in the mile and a half race extended his unbeaten record,to nine wins. Piggott rode Mr D. Robinson's Meadowviile, a 10 to one chance, for second. Third was Mrs A. Manning’s Master Guy, which is trained In France by Ktlenna Pollet. Pollett won the Irish Sweeps Derby in 1962 and 1969 with Tambourine and Prince Regent, but on Saturday his colt was never in the hunt against the brilliant Nijinsky, which swept through on the rails to win by three lengths. Meadowviile was a further three lengths clear of Master Guy, ridden by J. Taillard, which started at 100-to-seven in the 13-horse race. Nijinsky was among the backrunners for most of the race, but with just over a furlong to go made up ground quickly on the rails and came on to challenge Jlla Laudo, which dropped back a? Meadowviile also improved on the outside. Piggot did his utmost to keep Meadowviile in the race with a winning chance, but his mount waa clearly beaten by a much superior eolt. Mr Engelhard, the American millionaire who watched the race after arriving in Ireland by private jet on Saturday mornings, has now won three

of the last four Irish Sweeps Derbys. For Ward, Nijinsky'c win was sweet revenge for the shock of Sir Ivor in the race two years ago when Piggott rode Riberto to a surprise win. A delighted Ward said after the race: "Nijinsky is the best horse 1 have ever ridden. He is even better than Sir Ivor was.”

Nijinsky’s next race is likely to be in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot next month.