3 minute read

The Charley Appleby trained Adayar has won the Derby.

Starting on 16/1 and ridden by Adam Kirby who had been bounced off John Leeper, he's by Frankel out of a Dubawi mare and proved a revelation winning easily by 4 ½ lengths over a very unexpected second, Mojo Star trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by David Egan.  Third place went to the stablemate of the winner, Hurricane Lane, with William Buick on board and 3 ½ lengths further back.  Mac Swiney held on to fourth place, an acceptable run in the circumstances.  Bolshoi Ballet was never in it and the rest, as they say, were history. Mahaafeth was scratched because of the going.

The earlier races were not such major surprises:  the Princess Elizabeth went to Parent's Prayer on 4/1 for Archie Watson and Oisin Murphy. Nezuna was second and Statement third.

The Diomed saw Oh This Is Us make a last minute lunge to nail favourite Century Dream on the line.  Maximus and Prince Eiji were scratched because of the going.

It was a happy result for Godolphin over the pond with Essential Quality winning the Belmont but more of that anon.