Postulation to bid for Belmont Stakes glory

Dermot Weld hoping to repeat his classic triumph of 25 years ago with Go and Go

President Michael D Higgins congratulates trainer Dermot Weld after Eshera beat Aimhirgin Lass in the  European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh last week. Photograph:  Pat Healy/PA
President Michael D Higgins congratulates trainer Dermot Weld after Eshera beat Aimhirgin Lass in the European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh last week. Photograph: Pat Healy/PA

It is 25 years since Dermot Weld landed a historic classic triumph with Go And Go in the Belmont Stakes and the trainer is set to return to the New York track this Saturday for a tilt at the $1.25 million Belmont Derby with Postulation.

The mile and a quarter event is the centrepiece of a ‘Stars & Stripes’ July 4 celebration card and last year Aidan O’Brien’s Adelaide failed by just a neck to win it when runner up to Mr Speaker.

O’Brien could attempt to go one better in 2015 with reports in the US indicating the King Edward VII Stakes third, Father Christmas, may take his chance under Colm O’Donoghue. The classic winning jockey rode Adelaide in the race last year.

Postulation, owned by Juddmonte, posted a career best to date on his last start at the Curragh earlier this month when beating Parish Hall in the Listed Silver Stakes.

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Home opposition to an Irish challenge is likely to include the Chad Brown pair, Takeover Target and Startup Nation, as well as Bolo who finished 12th to American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the American Triple Crown.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column