IT REALLY AD TO BE KIRBY’S DAY
HEARTBREAK turned to ecstasy for Adam Kirby when he partnered Adayar to victory in the Cazoo Derby at a sundrenched Epsom. Kirby admitted he was on the floor for an hour after losing the ride on John Leeper to Frankie Dettori on Wednesday, only to be called up by Charlie Appleby for Adayar.
“It’s quite unbelievable, I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet,” said an emotional Kirby.
“After I returned to weigh-in, I had five minutes to myself – just to take it all in.”
Victory for the jockey, 32, who admitted he only became one because he did not study at school, was a first Classic celebration and there is not anyone in the game who has a bad word for him.
Kirby said: “There has been ups and downs for me – that’s racing. But when it comes to Charlie Appleby, he’s a top man. I can’t thank him enough. He’s a real gentleman and a great trainer.
“I’ve always said I’d rather win a Derby than be champion jockey. It’s the greatest race in the world, isn’t it?
“In the final furlong, I was thinking of my mother as I knew she’d be proud watching. It’s such a marvellous feeling.
“I was obviously asked to ride John Leeper by Ed Dunlop and accepted the ride.
“Five minutes later, Charlie asked me to ride his horse. I said to him, ‘I’m sorry I’ve put my name down for John Leeper. I’m a man of my word’.”
Appleby, who was successful in the 2018 Derby with Masar, was lavish in his praise over the ride that Kirby gave his colt.
“He gave him a fantastic ride and he was hungry to achieve this,” he said.
“Adam knew this horse better than most as he broke him in.” Kirby might have been having only his second mount in Flat racing’s most iconic race but it clearly did not show as he found a gap on the rails that a ferret would have struggled to squeeze through.
When he did it was game over.the 50-1 chance Mojo Star, trained by Richard Hannon and yet to win a race, finished second for the third time.
Hurricane Lane, also trained by Appleby, took third, with Mac Swiney back in fourth.
Bolshoi Ballet, sent off the 11-8 favourite, was well placed in the hands of Ryan Moore but, according to his trainer Aidan O’brien, “Was just lifeless”.
As for the hopes of John Leeper, the writing was soon on the wall that he was not going to be a player as he was last leaving the stalls.
“It was just too far for him at this stage of his life,” said Dettori.