AIDAN O'BRIEN holds the key to The Epsom Derby 2010 and nothing reiterated that fact more than his Jan Vermeer winning the Gallinule Stakes in Ireland.
Definite running plans have yet to be finalised as O'Brien and his Coolmore Stud owners (Tabor, Magnier, Smith et al) hold the first four horses currently quoted in the Epsom Derby odds.
Indeed the Irish maestro trainer indicated the French Derby may be a consideration for latest star Jan Vermeer. That has not stopped the bookies slashing the price from 16/1 to 6/1 for Epsom heroics.
It can be argued that Jan Vermeer beat nothing in Ireland. Indeed the race must have lacked the quality of many Epsom trials. But just because Jan Vermeer beat bad horses, it does not make him a slower horse. He is what he is and the effortless style of victory, combined with his breeding, his sire is Montjeu, suggested he could be some tool. Like his famous painter namesake, the racehorse Jan Vermeer, certainly looked a picture.