Mickaël Barzalona celebrates as he crosses the finishing line to win the Derby on Pour Moi. photo: David Davies/PA
POUR MOI became the first French-trained winner of the Derby since 1976 when he stormed home under Mickael Barzalona in the Investec-sponsored Classic at Epsom on Saturday.
Trained by the legendary Andre Fabre, Pour Moi quickened brilliantly to reel in Treasure Beach, returning at 4-1 and rewarding punters who had backed him since his equally impressive victory in the Group 3 Prix Greffulhe last month.
Treasure Beach, who won the MBNA Chester Vase on his last start, fared best of trainer Aidan O’Brien’s four runners and nearly gave Colm O’Donoghue the biggestwin of his career, running a great race at 25-1, while the Queen’s Carlton House, sent off the 5-2 favourite, ran on for third after meeting trouble in running.
Fabre, who was winning the race for the first time in his illustrious career, said: “He’s a great horse with great acceleration. The speed he has is exceptional and he had a turn of foot twice.”
“It’s such a pleasure to win this race with my young jockey and a big crowd – I’m so happy.”
Asked how it felt to be the first French trainer to win the Derby in 35 years, Fabre replied: “That is not my concern.”
Barzalona, who was banned for one day for excessive use of the whip and earned a warning from the stewards for his celebration, in which he stood up as Pour Moi hit the finish line, said: “It’s fantastic – absolutely amazing. It took Frankie Dettori 15 years to win the race and I’ve done it on my first ride.
“It’s especially great for Andre Fabre, who was winning it for the first time.”
Asked to explain his dramatic celebration, Barzalona said: “I don’t know why I did it – it just happened.”
Pour Moi races in the navy colours of Sue Magnier, whose husband John said: “I wish someone else owned the third [Carlton House]. Andre was confident all through last week. He told us that this horse had more speed than [1997 Arc winner] Peintre Celebre. Normally the trainer goes off the closer it gets to the race, but Andre was always confident.”
What a ride for Barzalona
Michael Tabor, who also owns a share in the colt with Derrick Smith and Magnier, added: “It was sensational. He was at the back of the field but, having said that, it was all new and he was very good. We want to win, that goes without saying, but if we didn’t win we wanted it to be the Queen.”
Pour Moi, who traded at 35-1 in running on Betfair, was cut to 7-1 (from 14) with Paddy Power to emulate his sire Montjeu and win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Montjeu has now sired three Derby winners with Pour Moi following Motivator (2005) and Authorized (2007).
-extract Racing Post
