Mars, early ante-post favourite for the 2013 English Derby, made the perfect start to his career with a successful debut at Dundalk.
Quoted at 12-1 by some firms for the premier Classic at Epsom next June 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 with the minimum of fuss.
Joseph O’Brien brought the son of 2001 Derby hero Galileo from his wide draw to go across to the rail and soon lead.
Winding up the gallop, the 4-7 shot pulled clear from the furlong pole to beat his stable companion The Ferryman by 4-3/4 lengths, with My Rules third.
O’Brien junior 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.
“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.”
Boylesport are now as short as 10-1 for the Derby, while Paddy Power, who had Mars at 16-1 before today’s race, clipped him into 12-1 favourite.
William Hill also trimmed Mars to 12-1 from 16s, as did Stan James.