Art students and etchers have studied Van Dyck work for its brilliant directness, his name sake is on his way to fame for a similar bout of brilliant directness when Aidan O’Brien-trained Anthony Van Dyck captured the Epsom Derby in a pulsating finish.
Shadwell owned Madhmoon and Sir Dragonet fought well for veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast. Eventually Sir Dragonet grew tired while the Dawn Approach colt’s stamina stayed strong and steady.
Madhmoon and Sir Dragonet were disputing the lead racing inside the final furlong, but Anthony Dan Dyck darted up the inside of the pair and galloped on strongly against the far rail with Anthony Van Dyck’s stablemate Japan in third. Another Ballydoyle runner, Broome, was fourth while Sir Dragonet eventually came in fifth.
The tremendous triumph was a joint-record seventh in the premier Classic for O’Brien and Anthony Van Dyck’s owners.
O'Brien said in an interview with Sporting Life: "It's incredible. I'm so delighted for everyone and privileged to be part of the team.
Anthony Van Dyck’s sire Galileo, also won the Derby followed by the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001. His progeny may be asked to follow in his sire’s footsteps
When asked about future plans, O'Brien said: "I think the lads will decide, like they always do, but that is what we thought - that the winner would go back to Ireland (for the Irish Derby, at the Curragh). It is a nice progression for the horse.
Jockey Seamus Heffernan said: "I was following Ryan (Moore, on Sir Dragonet), who I thought was the biggest danger. It was a big ask for Sir Dragonet on his just his third run, but mine had danced every dance.
O'Brien, 49, trained seven of the 13 runners in the mile-and-a-half race.
86 year old veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast was proud of Madhmoon in such close defeat.
Prendergast has eight Classic victories in his native Ireland and a British Classic success with Nebbiolo in the 2000 Guineas 42 years ago under his belt.
Angus Gold, racing manager to Madhmoon's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, raised the Irish Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes as potential targets for the son of New Approach.
Its been another great weekend at Epsom Downs.
Anapurna edged out Pink Dogwood to give jockey Frankie Dettori his fifth victory in the Gr.1 Epsom Oaks. The daughter of Frankel, trained by John Gosden overtook Aidan O'Brien's runner-up in the closing stages, with Fleeting following in third third.
Roger Varian's Defoe caused a minor upset when he won the Gr.1 Coronation Cup.
Although a strong field of nine runners went to post in this Group One contest, headlined by John Gosden's high-class mare Lah Ti Dar alongside Charlie Appleby's Sheema Classic hero Old Persian and Kew Gardens, who was bidding to prove Aidan O'Brien with a ninth win in the race.
Lah Ti Dar was shuffled back and came under pressure before the home turn, eventually coming in sixth.
Ryan Moore took Kew Gardens into another gear, coming in from the rear but no sooner had he hit the front, Defoe charged alongside and got up to score by half a length.
Salouen came in a fine third.
Varian said on future plans: "He will certainly get an entry (in the King George) and we will see."
While O'Brien will consider options at Royal Ascot for Kew Gardens.
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