Investec Derby |
 |
Group 1, Epsom Downs 16:55
£500,000 added
3yo only,
1m, 4f, 10y  |
| Saturday 4th July 2020 |
1 Serpentine 25/1
2
Khalifa Sat 50/1
3
Amhran Na Bhfiann 66/1
4 Kameko 5/2F
16 ran Distances: 5½l, ½l, nse
Time: 2m 34.43s (fast by 0.07s)
Aidan O'Brien created history today by becoming the most successful trainer in the history in the Investec Derby as Serpentine handed the master of Ballydoyle an eighth winner of the premier Classic.
O'Brien said: "We discuss each horse and try and give every horse the best chance in the race and we ride them all accordingly.
"Emmet was happy to go the front on his horse with his horse having won from the front the last day and William (Buick, third Amhran Na Bhfiann) was happy to also go forward if he was able. It was exactly the way it was. Wayne Lordan rode Serpentine the last day and he won it very impressively. He ran through to the line over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh and to do that, you have to be very good and have class and that is what he did really.
"We all watched the race together, Annemarie, Sarah, Ana and Donnacha. Donnacha mentioned at around five furlongs out that he thought Emmet would win here. He was very comfortable and there was no-one going to challenge him and he wasn't going to stop.
"Emmet gave him a brilliant ride. He judged the pace really well. He was a horse who was going to get every yard of the mile and a half.
"All the lads are always delighted whatever we decide. Obviously, those Classics, there is only one Derby and Oaks - it is just so special to have runners in them and for the lads to be able to ride them. Everyone knows when they get an opportunity, they take it with two hands. It is unbelievable really. It is hard to believe when you think about it but we're so grateful for it really.
"We always thought he would stay very well. He would have no problem getting the Leger trip. He is by Galileo and from a
Dylan Thomas family. I would imagine he would have no problem getting the trip if that is what the lads decide to do.
"He stays very well. I don't think he would have a problem with soft ground in the autumn in an Arc. This horse has a little bit of knee action and on his pedigree, he would handle slower ground in something like an Arc.
"I didn't really see the other horses and have not chatted to the jockeys yet. Amhrann Na Bhfiann was third and thought he would stay very well which he did do.
"Mogul was fifth and we felt he had progressed from Royal Ascot, but we felt he would progress more and we look forward to seeing him next time. He is a big, strong horse. We thought after two runs he would be ready and obviously the second one had to be the Derby. We look forward to him on his next run.
"Obviously, we would love to be there, but we are lucky to be racing. Everyone is communicating well. We had a good meeting before the racing. Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are in Barbados along with Sue and John Magnier in Ireland. Everyone is on the call and with Zoom it is easy for us to chat. We would love to be there with you, but it is something we can't do as if I came over and then headed back to Ireland, I wouldn't be able to do anything for a couple of weeks.
"It's great the event has happened. A big thanks to everyone at Epsom. It's marvellous that is has happened and we would love to be there, but it just wasn't to be this year."
Beaten trainers
Andrew Balding, trainer of Khalifa Sat (2nd, 50/1) and
Kameko (4th, 5/2 Fav): "It was a funny race but Khalifa Sat ran great, I am thrilled with him. And Kameko ran well to a point - Oisin [Murphy] just felt he emptied out a little bit late on. Two lovely horses and fair play, they both ran great. We have always liked Khalifa Sat, he is a lovely type."
Ed Walker, trainer of fifth
English King (100/30): "The way the race panned out was frustrating, purely and simply.
"I am thrilled with everything - proud as punch of the horse, Frankie did well from a difficult draw. I have got no excuses, just a frustrating race. A Derby with no pace - there is no such thing these days, really - and we needed pace. But I am proud of the horse, he has run great. My first Derby experience; he has hit the line hard, another 50 yards and he might have been second."
Beaten jockeys
Tom Marquand on Khalifa Sat (second): "We are really pleased with that for a run. Obviously, the leader sort of skipped away early and had that little bit more toe than us. This lad is honest as the day is long and I am looking forward to seeing him over further."
William Buick on Amhran Na Bhfiann (third) "Why is it so quiet round here!? He ran a great race."
Oisin Murphy on Kameko (fourth): "I am thrilled for Emmet McNamara. He has been part of Ballydoyle for a number of years and is a top-class jockey. The winner got a very enterprising ride. I wasn't making any ground late, if anything I was stopping."
Frankie Dettori on English King (fifth): "I had a good trip. Between the three and one furlong, he couldn't pick up and then he was doing all he did best work at the end. He was just inexperienced."
Seamie Heffernan on Russian Emperor (seventh): "He ran well, but the winner was just too far in front."
Padraig Beggy on Vatican City (eighth): "My lad will improve from that. It was only his fourth run. He is one for another day."
Ben Curtis on Highland Chief (10th): "He got a little bit lost early. Once he got travelling, I was too far back. He picked up well, but a more conventional track would suit him better."
Martin Dwyer on
Pyledriver (11th): "I had a nice pitch behind Ryan and then I got hampered when we crossed back and that was my race over. I couldn't get into it from there."
Andrea Atzeni on Mohican Heights (12th): "He slipped coming out of the stalls. I just gave him a chance, he probably lacks experience, but will be a nice horse in time."
James Doyle on Mythical (13th): "I was a spectator."
Harry Bentley on Max Vega (14th): "I had a good position, I travelled OK but as the tempo increased down the hill, I couldn't go with them."
Investec Derby (Group 1)
£500,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f 10y, Class 1
16 ran
Going: Good
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (12) Serpentine 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Emmet McNamara 25/1
2 (14) 5½ Khalifa Sat 3 9-0 Andrew Balding Tom Marquand 50/1
3 (5) ½ Amhran Na Bhfiann 3 9-0 A P O'Brien William Buick 66/1
4 (11) nse Kameko 3 9-0 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 5/2F
5 (1) nk English King 3 9-0 Ed Walker Frankie Dettori 100/30
6 (2) ¾ Mogul 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 7/1
7 (6) 1¼ Russian Emperor 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Seamie Heffernan 6/1
8 (8) ½ Vatican City 3 9-0 A P O'Brien P B Beggy 17/2
9 (16) 2¼ Gold Maze 3 9-0 Mrs John Harrington David Egan 150/1
10 (13) 2¾ Highland Chief 3 9-0 2 Paul & Oliver Cole Ben Curtis 20/1
11 (3) ½ Pyledriver 3 9-0 William Muir Martin Dwyer 16/1
12 (15) ½ Mohican Heights 3 9-0 David Simcock Andrea Atzeni 25/1
13 (10) ½ Mythical 3 9-0 A P O'Brien James Doyle 100/1
14 (7) nk Max Vega 3 9-0 Ralph Beckett Harry Bentley 33/1
15 (4) 2¼ Emissary 3 9-0 Hugo Palmer Jim Crowley 40/1
16 (9) 75 Worthily 3 9-0 John Gosden Martin Harley 40/1
