KOBE BOWS OUT ON TOP
Ian Fortune
Derby champion The Other Kobe has run his final race.
The news came through in recent days although it was widely anticipated after he failed to reappear for the Laurels and Winter Racing Festival. It ends an incredible racing career that saw him reach the pinnacle of his chosen profession.
CREATING HISTORY
Of course, his Derby success also saw him create a little bit of history.
Aside from becoming the fastest Derby winner of all time, he was also emulating his litter brother Born Warrior with the duo becoming the only litter comrades to win a Derby.
For his breeder and trainer Jenifer O’Donnell, he also etched her name in the record books as becoming the first lady trainer to win back to back Derby titles and only the sixth handler in total to win two years running, joining the likes of Tom Harty, Gay McKenna, Tom Lynch, Graham Holland and her own father Matt O’Donnell.
THE EARLY DAYS
The Other Kobe and Born Warrior were born in April ’20 and it was clear from early the pair were going to be top class, although few could have expected just how good they would become.
The Other Kobe displayed huge ability in qualifying, posting 28.44 and 28.49 around Shelbourne.
Jennifer O’Donnell had great belief in The Other Kobe as his first start came in a Kirby Memorial Trial Stake at Shelbourne Park where he had to take on far more experienced rivals which included Swords Rex, Droopys Nice One and Kilgraney Sydney amongst others.
The Other Kobe shot for the rail from trap five, finding traffic before finishing at the tail of the field. Despite the result, he had shown real promise. His handler certainly wasn’t put off by the result and he was immediately switched to Limerick with the Kirby Memorial in mind.
A couple of weeks later, he appeared in another Trial Stake, this time at Limerick, and duly obliged in a fast 28.51. It was the first victory of his career and set him on a path to greatness. He won again in 28.61 before being thrown into the Kirby Memorial.
A brilliant 28.39 winner in the opening round, he overcame traffic in the second round to qualify in third and was narrowly beaten in the quarter finals. He was now starting to show exceptional pace and was amongst the favourites to land the classic only to pick up a small injury ahead of the semis. Sadly, he was a forced withdrawal.
SETTING TONGUES WAGGING
It was in the next month and a half, ahead of his return to racing action that he posted some insane times around Shelbourne Park trials as he prepared to return.
He dipped under the track record for the sprint, clocking a scarcely believable 18.13, before posting 28.05 and 28.21 in two subsequent 525yd trials.
He was now ready to announce himself to the world. He had his first start over 550yds in the opening round of the Shelbourne Champion 550 and duly left a top-class field in his dust, posting a rapid 29.33. He continued to run well through the stake, reaching the final only to find bad traffic.
NEW OWNERSHIP
By now he had caught the eye of Teddy Hegarty and was purchased on behalf of new owners, Brian Clare, David L’Estrange and Aidan Walsh.
Little did they know it, but it was perhaps the greatest purchase they would ever make, although their Derby dream seemed to end at the first hurdle.
Favourite to win his opening round assignment, in a contest that included English Derby champion Romeo Magico, The Other Kobe fell at trap rise, with his belly hitting the ground. There was no miraculous recovery. Of course, his litter brother Born Warrior would go onto win the classic.
The Other Kobe went on to reach the final of the Derby Plate but was luckless in the decider, finding bad traffic on the turn when prominent.
It wasn’t all bad luck for Kobe in his first year, however. In fact, he finished 2022 on a real high, capturing the Winter Racing Festival 525 in superb fashion.
BACK TO ACTION
He returned in early 2023 and it was straight back to business with Kobe winning a couple of one-of races at Shelbourne and Kilkenny before taking his chance in the Select Stakes.
Joint favourite in the decider, he would finish third. After a couple more impressive wins at Cork and Kilkenny, he was targeted at the Champion Stakes and again made the decider. Despite a very tough draw in five, he would finish runner-up to Trinity Junior.
A DEBATE THAT WAS WON BY JENNIFER
Behind the scenes, the debate raged whether a crack at the Irish Sprint Cup or the Derby would come next.
For Jennifer O’Donnell it was a no-brainer with her feeling her charge had unfinished business. Needless to say she won the debate and he was targeted at the Derby.
A DATE WITH DESTINY
For the next month and a half, he was on a direct course to fulfil his destiny.
A good winner in 29.58 in the opening round, he overcame a couple of tricky assignments in the second and third rounds to claim his place in the quarter finals.
It as on this night that he screamed to the world that he meant business. Producing a near-perfect display, he left the Champion Stakes winner Trinity Junior, Coolavanny Hoffa, Mr Chelm and Ballymac Marino standing as he came home clear in a sensational 29.15.
A week later he returned to win his semi-final, although some believed he may have gone over the top as he posted only 29.58, some six lengths slower than a week earlier. That was most certainly not the case.
ONE OF THE GREAT DERBY DISPLAYS
On September 2nd, with the world watching, The Other Kobe produced yet another sensational display.
Flashing from trap two, the Derby was over as soon as it began. Bockos Crystal and Bens Teddy did all they could to get back on terms but there was no halting The Other Kobe’s march into the history books.
The brilliant son of Ballymac Best and Mountaylor Queen hit the line a half length in front in 29.11. It was an incredible night, a special performance and one that will live long in the memory. Sadly, despite having so much more to give, the decision has been made to retire him.
THE FUTURE
Given his brilliant pedigree, which goes back on the dam side to the likes of Oaks champion Skywalker Queen and Nifty Niamh, the dam of Premier Fantasy, he should prove popular with breeders.
Of course, he was also blessed with the most sensational pace and if he does pass that on to his progeny in the future, we will be hearing plenty more of The Other Kobe in the future.
He is to join Richard and Michael Cully at the Coonough Kennels where he will stand at stud. On behalf of all of us that were present to witness his finest hour, we wish Kobe the very best in retirement and look forward to welcoming the next generation to the track in the coming years.