EPSOM, United Kingdom: Ruler of the World gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his fourth winner in the Epsom Derby yesterday.
The 7/1 shot — the first horse since Commander in Chief in 1993 to land the blue riband of the turf without running as a two-year-old — came home under Ryan Moore to hold off the fast finishing 14/1 chance Libertarian by 1 1/2 lengths while Galileo Rock was third at 25/1 a further head behind.
Hot favorite Dawn Approach was never looking comfortable and although he hit the front six furlongs from home he was quickly passed and finished second last.
His performance dashed trainer Jim Bolger’s hopes of him becoming the 38th horse to complete the English 2000 Guineas and Derby double. “He was fine for 10 strides and then all hope was gone,” said Bolger.
“He will not run over 1 1/2 miles again,” said a shattered looking Bolger. Moore, who also won the Derby in 2010 with Workforce, said that he thought his horse had hit the front too early when he passed stablemate Battle of Marengo.
“He’s very green but he’s got plenty of heart and showed it in what was a messy race,” said Moore, whose mother, wife and two children were at the track to watch him.
“He quickened well and managed to see out the trip. It is a very special day and I am absolutely delighted,” added the 29-year-old Englishman.
O’Brien, who had earlier won his sixth Coronation Cup in seven runnings when St. Nicholas Abbey triumphed for the third year in a row, was typically understated in accepting the plaudits for training the winner.
“Well it’s incredible but we are so lucky to be in the position that we are sent so many well bred horses,” said the 43-year-old Irishman.
O’Brien, who succeeded the legendary Dr. Vincent O’Brien (no relation) at Ballydoyle Stables when he retired 18 years ago, was at pains to explain why his son Joseph had deployed front running tactics on the stable’s number one Battle of Marengo.
“Look, all the lads know their horses and they ride them as they feel best,” said O’Brien, who saddled five of the 12 runners.
“The winner has won very impressively and is a very progressive type and will get better.
“It’s an incredible day and I really love it when it works out for everybody like it has done today.” “I am very privileged.”
