The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
O’Brien pair claim honours in Epsom showpieces
So often the scourge of bookmakers, Aidan O’Brien was this time the hero for the layers after Serpentine upset the odds in Saturday’s Investec Derby.
The 25-1 shot – one of six runners in the field for the Ballydoyle trainer – made all the running and won unchallenged in the hands of Emmet McNamara.
There was even each-way glee for the bookmakers, as Andrew Balding’s Khalifa Sat (50-1) and the winner’s stablemate Amhran Na Bhfiann (66-1) filled the places in the premier Classic at Epsom.
Yet just over an hour and a quarter earlier, O’Brien’s win with 11-10 favourite Love in the Oaks had the bookmakers on the ropes.
Though not in attendance at a meeting he has marked out in his diary every year, O’Brien, as ever, played down his part in rewriting the history books with Serpentine, a son of the mighty Galileo who only broke his maiden tag at the Curragh seven days earlier.
He said: “We are so delighted. We are in a very privileged position to have such well-bred horses and to be working for such special people.
“It’s a position very few people will ever get into. Everyone puts their heart and soul into it day in day out, and we really appreciate every opportunity we get and how grateful we are to everyone for everything they do.
“In all those big races it is incredibly satisfying when they do win, because it is so difficult for it to happen. The road is so long and there are so many links in the chain all the way along from the time the mare is covered.
“We would have loved to have been there, but we are lucky to be racing.”
O’Brien’s filly Love, winner of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, made a seamless step up to 12 furlongs as she cruised to Oaks victory by nine lengths in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Stablemate Passion and Tiempo Vuela tried to set the early pace, but they were ignored by the main players, with Moore settling the 11-10 favourite in fifth and Frankie Dettori tracking him on main market rival Frankly Darling.
Turning for home the front pair began to come back to the field, with Moore waiting until the final couple of furlongs to really stoke up his mount, who responded to make effortless progress and take the lead.
Frankly Darling tried to go with her, but Love easily pulled clear, with another stablemate in Ennistymon briefly putting up a challenge.
The daughter of Galileo galloped home well clear, with Ennistymon just clinging on to second from Frankly Darling by three-quarters of a length.
Moore said: “She was exceptional today. We’ve always thought she’s very good and she proved that in the Guineas, but today she’s taken a step forward.
“Almost her best furlong was her last furlong. She’s got a great temperament and I don’t think she could have been any more impressive, really.”