Coral Eclipse at Sandown Park 2007

In 1987 I remember going to Sandown Park for the Coral Eclipse expecting to see Reference Point win the race after his fine display in the Derby. He was the first Derby winner since Mill Reef in 1971 to contest the race and take on the older horses.

The 1987 Coral Eclipse was a superb horse race with Reference Point and Mtoto locked in a ding-dong battle over the last two furlongs. The older horse Mtoto won by three quarters of a length.

Authorized was a superb Derby winner this year. The Curragh’s loss will be Sandown’s gain as Authorized by-passed the Irish Derby for a crack at the older horses. In the last twenty years the only three year olds to win the Coral Eclipse have been Nashwan in 1989, Elmaamul in 1990, Environment Friend in 1991, Giants Causeway in 2000, Hawk Wing in 2002, and Oratorio in 2005.

Now that George Washington takes his place in the field we should be in for another fascinating horse race. His trainer, Aidan O’Brien, thinks ‘Gorgeous George’ will stay the distance, although he appeared not to stay the trip when racing in America at Churchill Downs.

Aidan O’Brien’s horses are in tremendous form and if the real George Washington turns up at Sandown I would not be surprised to see him beat Authorized. Of course we must not forget the other runners !

For all the runners and riders with the jockey's colours go to Paddy Power and click on "Horse Racing".