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Serpentine makes all for Derby surprise

3 minute read

Record eighth win in premier Classic for Aidan O’Brien.

Serpentine  created a huge shock as he made all for a 25-1 success in the Investec Derby.

SERPENTINE winning the Investec Derby at Epsom in England.
SERPENTINE winning the Investec Derby at Epsom in England.

Aidan O'Brien saddled six in the premier Classic – but it was Emmet McNamara's mount who prevailed, having only shed his maiden tag at the Curragh last Saturday.

Serpentine appeared to be employed to help set the pace at the head of affairs, but the field allowed him to build up a huge lead and he was still well clear at Tattenham Corner, with Khalifa Sat and fellow O'Brien runner Amhran Na Bhfiann sitting in second and third.

Trainer - Aidan O'Brien
Trainer - Aidan O'Brien Picture: Pat Healy Photography

The main players were all trying to make their move in behind, but the winner had flown, coming home five and a half lengths clear, to give O'Brien a record eighth win in the race.

Khalifa Sat  took second at 50-1, with Amrhan Na Bhfiann third at 66-1, ahead of 5-2 favourite Kameko in fourth and fifth-placed English King.

O'Brien said: "We try to give each horse the best chance of winning and ride them all accordingly.

"This horse (Serpentine) made the running last time and was very happy to go forward if nobody else wanted to. He won a maiden very impressively and he absolutely ran through the line over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh – to do that you have to have class.

"We all watched the race together at home and Donnacha (O'Brien, son) said after five furlongs 'Emmet wins here'. He was in front and there was no one going to challenge him – he was not going to stop.

"Emmet gave him a brilliant ride and judged the pace really well."

On setting a new record for Derby victories, he added: "We're so delighted, but we're in a privileged position to have such unbelievable horses and to work for and with such special people.

"It's a position very few people will ever get into. The horses have incredible pedigrees and everyone puts their heart and soul into it day in, day out. Everyone loves what they do and we appreciate all the opportunities that we get.

"It's very special to us to be part of a team of such special people.

"We'd obviously love to be there, but we're lucky to be racing. We'd love to be there, but it can't be as if we came back here afterwards I wouldn't be able to do anything for a couple of weeks.

"It's great the racing is on and a great credit to everyone who is making it happen."

Looking to future plans for the winner, O'Brien said: "We always thought he'd stay very well and I don't think he'd have any problem getting the St Leger trip, if that's what the lads decide to do.

"He could be an Arc horse – that's in the autumn and the ground could be soft, I don't think he'd have any problem with that.

"Love (Oaks winner) is a beautiful mover and I don't think you'd want to be going in deep ground with her, but this horse should handle it, so it's very possible."

McNamara said: "I think I got a little bit of a freebie. I had huge amount of confidence in the horse having spoken to Aidan during the week.

"He said he was a horse that is going to stay a mile and six well. He said jump, go your own tempo and just from halfway, from the six to the five, give him a breather. He said he'll keep going and he was right.

"All I could here was the horse breathing. He was in a good rhythm. He was relaxed and I couldn't hear a thing around me.

"I didn't want to be looking. I wasn't sure, but I knew I was a few (lengths) clear all right.

"It's a bit surreal. I can't believe it."


At The Races

Epsom Downs

Saturday, 04th July 2020

6
16:55
(local)

Investec Derby (Group 1) (G1)

Age: 3yo WT: 126lbs
GBP £500,000
1m4f6y TURF GOOD
6
16:55
(local)
GBP £500,000
1m4f6y GOOD

Investec Derby (Group 1) (G1)

Age: 3yo WT: 126lbs


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 14. SERPENTINE (IRE) 3yo C
GALILEO (IRE) - REMEMBER WHEN (IRE)
E J MCNAMARA
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$26
126lbs
N C Williams, L J Williams, P Mehrten, G T Ryan, A L Green, Mrs B A Green, B N Singer, M E Ruff, Jacobsen Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: P N Jacobsen), M Gudinski, V J Sammartino, D Evans, J A Ingham, Mrs M M Ruff, M J Symons & B E G Arnhold
2nd 7. KHALIFA SAT (IRE) 3yo C
FREE EAGLE (IRE) - THERMOPYLAE (GB)
TOM MARQUAND
ANDREW BALDING
$51
126lbs
AHMAD ABDULLA AL SHAIKH

Sales Information

3rd 1. AMHRAN NA BHFIANN (IRE) 3yo C
GALILEO (IRE) - ALLURING PARK (IRE)
WILLIAM BUICK
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$67
126lbs
Mariano Commercial Ltd & Partners

Sales Information

4th 6. KAMEKO (USA) 3yo C
KITTEN'S JOY (USA) - SWEETER STILL (IRE)
OISIN MURPHY
ANDREW BALDING
$3.5
126lbs

Sales Information

5th 3. ENGLISH KING (FR) 3yo C
CAMELOT (GB) - PLATONIC (GB)
LANFRANCO DETTORI
EDWARD WALKER
$4.33
126lbs

Sales Information

6th 9. MOGUL (GB) 3yo C
GALILEO (IRE) - SHASTYE (IRE)
RYAN MOORE
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$8
126lbs

Sales Information

7th 13. RUSSIAN EMPEROR (IRE) 3yo C
GALILEO (IRE) - ATLANTIC JEWEL (AUS)
SEAMIE HEFFERNAN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$7
126lbs
8th 15. VATICAN CITY (IRE) 3yo C
GALILEO (IRE) - YOU'RESOTHRILLING (USA)
P BEGGY
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$9.5
126lbs
9th 4. GOLD MAZE (GB) 3yo C
GOLDEN HORN (GB) - ASTONISHING (IRE)
DAVID EGAN
MRS J HARRINGTON
$151
126lbs

Sales Information

10th 5. HIGHLAND CHIEF (IRE) 3yo C
GLENEAGLES (IRE) - PINK SYMPHONY (GB)
BEN CURTIS
PAUL COLE
$21
126lbs
11th 12. PYLEDRIVER (GB) 3yo C
HARBOUR WATCH (IRE) - LA PYLE (FR)
MARTIN DWYER
W R MUIR
$17
126lbs

Sales Information

12th 10. MOHICAN HEIGHTS (IRE) 3yo C
AUSTRALIA (GB) - MOHICAN PRINCESS (GB)
ANDREA ATZENI
DAVID SIMCOCK
$26
126lbs

Sales Information

13th 11. MYTHICAL (FR) 3yo C
CAMELOT (GB) - INCHMINA (GB)
JAMES DOYLE
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$101
126lbs

Sales Information

14th 8. MAX VEGA (IRE) 3yo C
LOPE DE VEGA (IRE) - PARAPHERNALIA (IRE)
HARRY BENTLEY
R M BECKETT
$34
126lbs

Sales Information

15th 2. EMISSARY (GB) 3yo C
KINGMAN (GB) - SOVIET MOON (IRE)
JIM CROWLEY
H PALMER
$41
126lbs

Sales Information

16th 16. WORTHILY (USA) 3yo C
POINT OF ENTRY (USA) - VIGNETTE (USA)
MARTIN HARLEY
JOHN GOSDEN
$41
126lbs

Sales Information

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