Bernard Kantor hands Frankie Dettori the trophy – Getty Images For Investec
Frankie Dettori steered Golden Horn to a brilliant victory in the Gr1 Investec Derby at Epsom.
John Gosden’s three-year-old was sent off the 13-8 favourite for the premier Classic following a fine display in the Dante Stakes at York last month and Dettori settled the market leader towards the rear of the field for much of the mile-and-a-half Classic.
Dettori allowed his mount to ease closer from the home turn and he dispelled any doubts about his stamina as he quickened clear of stable companion Jack Hobbs to give the popular Italian rider his second taste of Derby glory.
Just as he had done in the Dante, Jack Hobbs came off second best, beaten three and a half lengths.
Golden Horn – “RACINGFOTOS.COM”
Storm The Stars was a further four and a half lengths away in third.
Golden Horn was not even in the Derby reckoning until after his York romp, but the triumph led to owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer supplementing him for the race, despite his own doubts about whether his charge would get home over the 12-furlong distance.
Dettori was on board Jack Hobbs on the Knavesmire, with William Buick riding Golden Horn, but the two jockeys swapped places at Epsom after Buick’s retaining owners Godolphin snapped up a majority share in Jack Hobbs.
Golden Horn’s stamina was certainly tested, with Hans Holbein and Dante third Elm Park setting a furious early gallop before weakening out of contention.
Jack Hobbs, the 4-1 second-favourite despite concerns about the drying ground, was the first of the Gosden pair to show his hand, sweeping to the front inside the final furlong.
But he had no answer to Golden Horn’s superior turn of foot and the market leader was well on top as he passed the post under a jubilant Dettori, who said: “Unbelievable – I still can’t believe I’ve won the Derby again. What a feeling. Fantastic.I knew he was a good horse, it was up to me to mess it up, but everything went right.”
www.independent.co.uk
