KHALIFA SAT does Dubai proud
AL SHAIKH’S COLT FINISHES A DESERVING SECOND
Dubai’s Khalifa Sat ran an absolute blinder for jockey Tom Marquand to finish a heartbreaking second to runaway leader Serpentine in the 241st Epsom Derby (Group1), the greatest race on the planet.
Sent off at long odds of 50/1, Dubai businessman Ahmad Al Shaikh’s lightly raced colt gamely chased the winner all through the 2,400 metre contest and crossed the line 5 ½ lengths behind after giving his all.
Amhran Na Bhfiann, a 66/1 outsider, ran on strongly for third.
Kameko, the 5/2 favourite finished fourth while second favourite English King (10/3) ran on for fifth place ahead of two other fancied contenders, Mogul and Russian Emperor, both trained by Aidan O’Brien.
“I think I got a little bit of a freebie really,” the winning rider, Emmet McNamara told Racing TV UK, referring to the big lead he had stolen over his rival heading into the home straight.
“I had a huge amount of confidence in the horse having spoken to Aidan during the week, he said he thought the horse would stay a mile and six furlongs well.
“It’s surreal to have won this race, I can’t believe it.”
Strange race
Andrew Balding, who trained both Khalifa Sat and Kameko, said he was delighted for the former’s owner, Al Shaikh. “It was indeed a strange race, but I’m so happy with the performance of Khalifa Sat,” he said.
“I had confidence that he would stay the trip and Tom (Marquand) rode a perfect race. I’m sure his owner will be happy to have run second in a great race like the Derby.”
Meanwhile, the Group 1 Investec Oaks was won in hugely impressive fashion by the Irish trained Love, ridden with aplomb by big-race jockey Ryan Moore, who was following up on previous two wins in the fillies Classic aboard Snow Fairy (2010) and Minding (2016.
“I couldn’t have been happier with Love, and I don’t think she could have been any more impressive today,” Moore told Racing
TV, UK. “You never expect to win an Oaks — I don’t know how far she won by [nine lengths], but it felt like a very long way.
“She was exceptional today, and hopefully she has got plenty to look forward to in the future. She would be a threat to anything.”
Earlier in the day, Maj. Gen. Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security, saw his colours carried to victory in the opening Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes over two-year-olds over six furlongs, by Twaasol.
The son of Adaay, won by 1½ from Godolphin’s Modern News, to maintain his unbeaten record, having scored on debut at Windsor on 16 June.
Winning trainer Owen Burrows said: “Twaasol did it well. He is a neat little horse who is not overly big, but he has a great mind on him. He is a good mover and I am chuffed to bits with him. I wouldn’t get too carried away with him just yet, but he has done nothing wrong and is one to look forward to.
“It is great to have a winner on Derby Day.
Martin Harley commented: “Twaasol was pretty impressive with what he has done out there. Fair play to Owen [Burrows], he has primed the horse up twice now.”
I had confidence that he would stay the trip and Tom (Marquand) rode a perfect race. I’m sure his owner will be happy to have run second in a great race like the Derby.” Andrew Balding » Khalifa Sat trainer