1985

THERE was a huge turnout for the Joe McGrath Irish Sweeps Derby meeting at the Curragh on Saturday last when Mr Stavros Niarchos’s Law Society gave Vincent O’Brien some respite from the adversity he had encountered to date this season.

A $2.7 million yearling, Law Society gave both his owner and his sire Alleged a first classic success. Mr Niarchos expressed his delight at being present and gave the credit for the colt’s success to his trainer. Pat Eddery said his mount was slightly hampered around half-way and boxed in approaching the last bend, but “mine flew in what was a sprint finish”.

Law Society switched to the outside shortly after the last bend and, making good headway, got to the front about 60 metres out to beat the gallant Theatrical by half a length. Damister, whom his rider thought not to fully stay the trip, was third, another two and a half lengths behind.

This event is seldom without its dramatic preliminaries and this occasion was no exception. Mango Express, about whom there had been a request to load late, appeared to get upset in the stalls as others loaded after him, played up and he burst out the front, dislodging Paul Cook, and galloped away. The others were then unloaded. Finally came the announcement that the stewards had ordered the withdrawal of Mango Express.