Auguste Rodin bounces back to win an epic Irish Champion Stakes on red-letter day for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore

YOU can consider the doubters well and truly silenced.

Auguste Rodin has bounced back more times than Zebedee – and he was at it again in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Derby winner Auguste Rodin was an impressive winner of the Irish Champion StakesSportsfile

The top-class colt was on another recovery mission at Leopardstown after bombing out in the King George at Ascot last time.

As was the case at Epsom back in June, when he lined up as favourite for the Derby after a dreadful run in the 2000 Guineas.

Both times Aidan O’Brien’s faith in the beautifully-bred horse was unwavering – both times he was proven right. And how.

Because this was a race worthy of its title, with a field of top-notchers who had more Group wins between them than you can shake a stick at.

If you’re being critical, though, some of the riding didn’t live up to the occasion.

Auguste Rodin is named after the famous French sculptor – and some of the jockeys in behind were statue-like as they allowed the winner precious rope early on.

He was given the perfect lead by his stablemates Luxembourg and Point Lonsdale, and the three-length break he was gifted by the chasing pack proved critical at the business end.

It meant Ryan Moore could commit for home first, which isn’t a bad thing when you’ve gone an even pace and you’re riding a horse who is proven over a longer trip.

He was never going to stop and, though they tried hard to bridge the gap, King Of Steel and Nashwa were given too much to do by Kevin Stott and Hollie Doyle.

In the end, they couldn’t even get past the front-running Luxembourg, who battled on well for second having won the race 12 months ago. 

And as for the well-fancied Alflaila? I think Jim Crowley is still waiting to put him into the race.

That said, Auguste Rodin was a worthy winner, and O’Brien was typically gracious in victory. This was a job well done.

O’Brien said: “We are absolutely delighted with the horse, his run at Ascot was a mystery but he showed his true form today.

“He’d been in great form at home, the team have done an amazing job with him. He is a very important horse for us.”

Moore added: “It is very satisfying for him to come back and prove how good he is today. 

“He was very good at Epsom, maybe wasn’t so good in the Irish Derby and it just never happened for him at Ascot – but Aidan has got him back.”

PADiego Velazquez (left) is now a top-price 8-1 for the Derby next year[/caption]

The day had got off to a flyer for O’Brien and Moore when Diego Velazquez made it a perfect 2-2 in the Champions Juvenile Stakes.

At present, he arguably looks Ballydoyle’s big Derby hope for 2024, though that situation could change on Sunday if City Of Troy impresses at the Curragh.

Diego’s win was a tad on the workmanlike side as he was made to battle by his stablemate, Capulet.

He will have learnt plenty on just his second ever start, though, and he is now a top-price 8-1 for next June’s Epsom Classic with Coral.

And Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra completed a Group 1 hat-trick in the Matron Stakes.

She was returning from a break having bagged the Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes earlier in the summer.

There were no signs of rustiness, though, as she put it to bed with a smart turn of foot, with Tom Clover’s Rogue Millennium running a cracker in second.

But the silence is deafening – when Aidan O’Brien is involved it’s best to keep the faith.

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