Soccer

Desert Crown storms to victory in Epsom Derby

Desert Crown took hold of the Epsom Classic two furlongs out and cruised home to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute his sixth Derby victory.

Jockey Richard Kingscote claimed his first Derby win on a 5/2 favourite that was never in danger as he comfortably beat Hoo Ya Mal, a 125/1 outsider, and Westover (25/1) into second and thirdΒ respectively.

Desert Crown's class allowed him to remain in mid-division and track the Ballydoyle trio of Changingoftheguard, Star Of India and Stone Age, as well as the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained West Wind Blows, as they made the turn down Tattenham Corner into the Epsom straight.

Leader Changingoftheguard was soon gobbled up by the pack and Kingscote urged Desert Crown to the front as they approached the two-furlong mark. He never looked back, going on to win by two-and-a-half-lengths from Hoo Ya Mal.

Sir Michael StouteΒ first won The Derby in 1981 with Shergar, his last being Workforce's victory in 2010.

Kingscote told ITV Racing: "You can't really (put it into words). I've had a lot of support and this gentleman here (Stoute) and this fabulous horse.
"He's obviously got a huge amount of class, he jumped great, got in a pitch, travelled great and turned in going really well. It was all lovely.
"He's got a lot of class and gave me a lot of confidence. It's all about him and Sir Michael really.
"He's a lovely horse and he's a lovely gentleman that trains him."
Stoute was thrilled to see his charge claim the Epsom showpiece in such style, in the same Saeed Suhail colours as Fallon and Kris Kin in 2003.
He said: "His performance delighted me because he had it won a long way out. He has such a good mind to go with his abilities.
"He was having little niggles (last year) and that's why he didn't run until the backend. He had a foot problem (earlier this year).
"I was very happy when he got to the top of the hill, he was really (well) positioned, he travelled and floated down the hill."
Asked to compare Desert Crown to Shergar, the Freemason Lodge trainer added: "Shergar was very special, he hasn't quite reached that stage but he has potential."
Westover might have been even closer with a clear passage, but trainer Ralph Beckett was delighted with his effort.
He said: "He's a cracking horse and he's run a huge race, I'm thrilled with him. I think nothing went wrong except the gap was going quicker than he was at the time.
"The obvious thing now is to go for the Irish Derby on a big, galloping track. All of us would agree that if we can't win it Sir Michael winning it gives us all great hope. I'm extremely glad to be here."

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