Tuesday, 17 July 2012: Mars, early ante-post favourite for the 2013 Investec Derby, made a successful debut with the minimum of fuss at Dundalk.
Quoted as short as 12-1 for the Epsom Classic before he had even seen a racecourse, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt made most of the running to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Joseph O'Brien brought the son of Galileo from his wide draw to go across to the rail and lead. Winding up the gallop, the 4-7 shot pulled clear from the furlong pole to beat his stable companion The Ferryman by four and three-quarter lengths, with My Rules third.
The winning jockey said: "He has a really good attitude and is very uncomplicated. We have been waiting a while for a bit of nice ground. He would have had no problem starting off over six (furlongs).
"He's a lovely horse. He was green as it's his first run and he made the running - you very rarely see them win on the bridle doing that.
"He won nicely and will come on for it."
Paddy Power, who had Mars at 16-1 before the race, clipped him into 12-1 favourite for the Derby.
"Mars first entered our solar system in the middle of June when we put him in our Derby betting and gallop watchers with telescopes who snapped up the fancy prices will be laughing after that debut," said the bookmaker.
William Hill also trimmed Mars to 12-1 from 16s.
UK: Royal Ascot Friday
