Masar provides first Godolphin Derby win

EPSOM: Masar romped home in Britain’s richest horse race to deliver a first Epsom Derby triumph for Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum’s Godolphin stable on Saturday.

The 161 shot, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, dominated the 239th running of the race to scoop the £920,000 ($NZ1.76 million) first prize ahead of secondplaced Dee Ex Bee (201) and Roaring Lion (61) in third.

Hot favourite Saxon Warrior could finish only fourth in the 12horse field.

‘‘It is not easy to win the Derby but we did it,’’ Sheikh Mohammed said.

The win was sweet revenge for Masar, who had been beaten into third in the 2000 Guineas by Saxon Warrior last month.

Aidan O’Brien’s horse had been hoping to complete the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown at Epsom, before an attempt to win the St Leger in September.

But the 3yrold was hampered by an inside draw and never recovered from being boxed in at the start.

Masar and Buick forced their way to the front midrace and never looked like being caught.

‘‘It’s not sunk in yet,’’ Appleby said after training his first Derby winner.

‘‘I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Firstly, for giving me the position to be here. I’ve always said when I started this job I wanted to be the first person to have a Derby winner in Godolphin blue.’’

It proved a onetwo for the Dubai royal family: Dee Ex Bee is owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s son, Sheikh Hamdan. — Reuters