EPSOM, United Kingdom: Harzand gave two-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer Dermot Weld his first win in the Epsom Derby on Saturday to complete a rollercoaster day as he had been a doubtful runner up to an hour before the race.
Harzand, a fifth winner for owner The Aga Khan equalling his grandfather’s tally, was given a great ride by veteran Pat Smullen and held off a late challenge by favorite US Army Ranger and won by 1 1/2 lengths.
Idaho, who led into the final furlong, came third to complete a 1-2-3 for Ireland in flat racing’s blue riband event run before an estimated 100,000 spectators including Queen Elizabeth II.
“We had a huge worry when he spread a plate (shoe) this morning traveling over,” said Weld, who had tasted classic victory at Epsom before when Blue Wind won the 1981 Oaks.
“He was a very doubtful runner until an hour before the race but thanks to great work by my team we made it.
“I won my first classic here with Blue Wind many years ago and I probably didn’t have horses like this before but its wonderful to win the Derby,” added the 67-year-old, who has been a trainer for 44 years.
Smullen, who has been Weld’s stable jockey for well over a decade enjoying many successes together, said he knew US Army Ranger was closing.
“He (Harzand) dug in,” said the 39-year-old.
“I could sense Ryan coming, and I saw US Army Ranger’s white face, but this horse responded.
“It is a deserved success for Dermot because he is the world’s greatest trainer.”
The Aga Khan, whose first winner was the remarkable but ill-fated Shergar in 1981, contented himself in the immediate aftermath of saying ‘it was obviously a great gift for those who work with me’.
Aidan O’Brien who saddled five in the race was satisfied with the performances of US Army Ranger — who was second last entering the finishing straight and was given a lot to do by jockey Ryan Moore — and Idaho.
“US Army Ranger ran a great race, he’s still babyish but he’s come on a lot since winning at Chester (last month),” said O’Brien, who had been seeking a sixth win in the race.
“I’m looking forward to seeing both him and Idaho out racing again,” added the 46-year-old Irishman, who had the consolation of winning the Oaks on Friday with Minding.
Both US Army Ranger and Harzand look set to renew rivalry in the Irish Derby at The Curragh in July and should also meet the fourth-placed Wings of Desire, who never threatened under Frankie Dettori.
“Wings of Desire ran a lovely race, we’ve come on a lot for our win in the Dante last month,” said trainer John Gosden, who won the Derby with Golden Horn last year.
“He’ll relish the galloping track at The Curragh so the Irish Derby should be his next date.
“I think contrary to the perceived wisdom before the race that it wasn’t up to much that the first four are pretty useful horses.”
The Queen presented the trophy for the first time in a race she has never won, her Aureole coming second in the 1953 edition days after she was crowned.
Like the Queen the powerful Dubai-owned Godolphin Operation — the brainchild of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Al-Maktoum — have yet to win the race and their two hopes this year failed to deliver despite being heavily fancied.
Cloth of Stars, trained by 2010 winning trainer Andre Fabre in France, was prominent coming down Tattenham Corner and turning into the finishing straight but found nothing finishing eighth while Moonlight Magic found none of the latter and trailed in last.
Harzand, a fifth winner for owner The Aga Khan equalling his grandfather’s tally, was given a great ride by veteran Pat Smullen and held off a late challenge by favorite US Army Ranger and won by 1 1/2 lengths.
Idaho, who led into the final furlong, came third to complete a 1-2-3 for Ireland in flat racing’s blue riband event run before an estimated 100,000 spectators including Queen Elizabeth II.
“We had a huge worry when he spread a plate (shoe) this morning traveling over,” said Weld, who had tasted classic victory at Epsom before when Blue Wind won the 1981 Oaks.
“He was a very doubtful runner until an hour before the race but thanks to great work by my team we made it.
“I won my first classic here with Blue Wind many years ago and I probably didn’t have horses like this before but its wonderful to win the Derby,” added the 67-year-old, who has been a trainer for 44 years.
Smullen, who has been Weld’s stable jockey for well over a decade enjoying many successes together, said he knew US Army Ranger was closing.
“He (Harzand) dug in,” said the 39-year-old.
“I could sense Ryan coming, and I saw US Army Ranger’s white face, but this horse responded.
“It is a deserved success for Dermot because he is the world’s greatest trainer.”
The Aga Khan, whose first winner was the remarkable but ill-fated Shergar in 1981, contented himself in the immediate aftermath of saying ‘it was obviously a great gift for those who work with me’.
Aidan O’Brien who saddled five in the race was satisfied with the performances of US Army Ranger — who was second last entering the finishing straight and was given a lot to do by jockey Ryan Moore — and Idaho.
“US Army Ranger ran a great race, he’s still babyish but he’s come on a lot since winning at Chester (last month),” said O’Brien, who had been seeking a sixth win in the race.
“I’m looking forward to seeing both him and Idaho out racing again,” added the 46-year-old Irishman, who had the consolation of winning the Oaks on Friday with Minding.
Both US Army Ranger and Harzand look set to renew rivalry in the Irish Derby at The Curragh in July and should also meet the fourth-placed Wings of Desire, who never threatened under Frankie Dettori.
“Wings of Desire ran a lovely race, we’ve come on a lot for our win in the Dante last month,” said trainer John Gosden, who won the Derby with Golden Horn last year.
“He’ll relish the galloping track at The Curragh so the Irish Derby should be his next date.
“I think contrary to the perceived wisdom before the race that it wasn’t up to much that the first four are pretty useful horses.”
The Queen presented the trophy for the first time in a race she has never won, her Aureole coming second in the 1953 edition days after she was crowned.
Like the Queen the powerful Dubai-owned Godolphin Operation — the brainchild of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Al-Maktoum — have yet to win the race and their two hopes this year failed to deliver despite being heavily fancied.
Cloth of Stars, trained by 2010 winning trainer Andre Fabre in France, was prominent coming down Tattenham Corner and turning into the finishing straight but found nothing finishing eighth while Moonlight Magic found none of the latter and trailed in last.
