St Nicholas Abbey makes history

St Nicholas Abbey with some of his jubilant connections after his record-breaking third Investec Coronation Cup victory at Epsom this afternoon. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

St Nicholas Abbey wrote himself into the record books at Epsom today when becoming the first horse to land the Investec Coronation Cup, race one in the Middle Distance division of the QIPCO British Champions Series, for a third time.

In so doing he gave his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, his seventh victory in the race in nine years, an astonishing achievement.

St Nicholas Abbey has won more prize money than any other European-trained horse in history, with now almost £5m to his name.

Chapter Seven, making the pace for Dunaden, and Chamonix, stablemate of the winner, led the field with Joshua Tree sitting third, St Nicholas Abbey in fourth and Dunaden last of the five runners.

When Jospeh O’Brien made his move on St Nicholas Abbey, the race was quickly over.

Although Dunaden tried to go with him when he struck the front two furlongs from home, he could never mount a challenge but neverthless finished a very respectable second. He was eased down by jockey Jamie Spencer, having accepted defeat, to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

Joshua Tree could not match the big two and had to settle for third, seven lengths behind Dunaden.

Joseph O’Brien said: "Whatever it is over the winter he’s matured, he lobs down to the start on a long rein and you can put him where you like in his races.

"On his blow at home the other morning he was exceptional, better than he has ever been.

"He’s a force to be reckoned with this year, I don’t see why he can’t be the best around over middle distances."