Santiago was the 14th winner of the Irish derby for Aidan O’Brien, who coached the first four home games in this year’s Classic at the Curragh.
Santiago, who was successful in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, justified the 2-1 preference with a head by Stablemate Tiger Moth, Dawn Patrol third and Order Of Australia fourth.
Seamie Heffernan kept Santiago off the pace in a race in deteriorating conditions with bad weather.
But they swept out through runners of two and a half furlongs to take over from another O’Brien contender, Iberia, and cleared up before holding the significant late challenge from Emmet McNamara on Tiger Moth.
The profit margin narrowed towards the post, but Santiago stubbornly persisted in the task of crossing the line in front of him and giving Heffernan his fourth win in the race.
O’Brien was full of praise for his winner, who just had his fifth race, but his second in just over a week.
“It was a big call and a worry to run (here) – but obviously there is only one Irish derby,” said O’Brien.
“Seamus took him lovely and he’s tough and sincere.”
The race went very well on schedule, said O’Brien.
“We always wanted to ride him patiently because that’s how he has to be ridden,” he added.
“The rain was a big help for him because he handled the ground with ease.
“He got a nice break up and Seamus kicked when he got it.”
O’Brien will be more than happy to travel again for future tasks.
“We thought he would be a nice cup horse next year,” he added.
“If he hadn’t come here, he might have gone over two miles to Goodwood.
“There is a possibility that he will now take a break and be trained for the St. Leger.”
