The history books tell us that Epsom never happened, and such was the routine manner of Benvenuto Cellini's triumph in the June 28 Irish Derby (G1) that it's a more plausible possibility despite what we all saw.
Inexplicably deemed a non-runner by the stewards after getting himself in a slight tangle in the stalls just before the Derby field was sent on its way, the distinctive-looking son of Frankel ultimately ran a lot worse than could be accounted for by his sluggish start.
However, the ground at Epsom was soft, and Ryan Moore clearly felt that exacerbated the situation as he kept the faith when all of the Ballydoyle battalion turned up for another go at the Curragh in Ireland's most prestigious classic.
The market took its steer from Moore, and Benvenuto Cellini was sent off a 7-4 favorite to set the record straight. Back on a decent surface, he duly made amends.
Coolmore's rangy chestnut had trailed in 28 lengths behind Christmas Day at Epsom, but he turned the tables spectacularly here to the tune of a 1 3/4 lengths, with Ronan Whelan once again getting a fine tune out of his classic-winning partner to hold on gamely for second, having seized the lead from the pace-setting Action on the turn for home.
Pierre Bonnard also built on his Epsom run to keep on to be a neck further behind in third, with the British raider Raaheeb a never-dangerous 4th.
Remarkably, the victory constituted an 18th in the €1.25 million showpiece for Aidan O'Brien, and the result also marked a similarly incredible ninth time the all-conquering Ballydoyle maestro has saddled the 1-2-3 in the race, having recently done the very same in the French equivalent.
"All the things seemed to conspire against him at Epsom," O'Brien mused afterwards, before adding of Moore's decision to remain loyal to his mount: "It was very difficult for Ryan, I thought it was probably impossible for Benvenuto Cellini to make up 2 furlongs—he wasn't beaten 1 furlong in Epsom, he was beaten 2—so I'm delighted for Ryan. I had no faith after Epsom, and I wasn't sure Ryan had made the right call, but he never flinched."
Moore's conviction to stick with the Epsom flop is a mark of his own genius, which was in evidence out on the track here, too.
Here, without any obvious repeat of the stalls incident, Benvenuto Cellini broke relatively evenly, whereas Action missed the kick. Declan McDonogh vigorously chased him into the lead, and he went on to set a scorching gallop, while Moore elected to take the favorite right back.
They trailed the entire field early, and then Moore made a decisive move to switch inside of Raaheeb, backing his mount to have the gears to extricate himself from any potential congestion.
In the end, he didn't really need to call on such an attribute, as the strong pace ensured the field opened up in front of him as the race unfolded. He eked in front 2 furlongs out and from the furlong pole began to assert his superiority. It was a trademark, well-timed steer by Moore, who was winning the group 1 for a fourth year in succession.
O'Brien suggested the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and King George (G1) might come too soon for the winner, and has an eye on some of the marquee autumn targets instead.
"I'd imagine he will have a little break and come back for one of the Champion stakes; and he will be well suited for America, fast ground with the pace on, so the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland could suit. That's the kind of quality he has."
