IT’S GRIDLOCK
TIPPERARY trainer Aidan O’brien celebrated a record eighth
Derby victory yesterday after 25-1 chance Serpentine made all the running in the Investecsponsored classic at Epsom.
Partnered by Emmet Mcnamara, the colt proved too strong for 50-1 shot Kalifa Sat with 66-1 chance Amhran
Na Bhfiann finishing third. The race took place behind closed doors but owners were allowed to attend for the first time since racing resumed after the lockdown. Galileo, the sire of the victor, also made history as he is now responsible for fathering five winners of the race. On setting a new record for
Derby victories, O’brien said: “We’re so delighted.
We’re in a privileged position to have such unbelievable horses and to work for and with such special people.”
LEWIS HAMILTON claims disagreement between Grand Prix drivers over taking a knee before today’s Austrian Grand Prix is more proof of a lack of understanding of racism in Formula One.
Moments after he was beaten to pole position by team-matevaltteri Bottas for the first race of the season, Hamilton was asked if the split was evidence of a problem within the sport. “We know there’s an issue,” Hamilton said. “We don’t need an experience like tomorrow to prove that.” During a tense meeting of all 20 drivers on Friday night, the topic of taking a knee was discussed – but the drivers couldn’t agree.
Some are ready to adopt the gesture but at least a quarter of them are uneasy due to the political stance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Some were said to be disappointed that Hamilton had criticised drivers who had chosen not to post an anti-racism message on social media. “We spoke a bit in the drivers’ briefing, yep, interesting,” added Hamilton, the sport’s only black driver, with a heavy hint of sarcasm. “I don’t know what we will see tomorrow. Potentially, people will pay their respects in their own way.”