ADAYAR TO REMEMBER
Appleby’s star lands Derby under new ally Kirby
Adayar pulled off a 16/1 shocker under super- sub Adam Kirby in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom.
Charlie Appleby’s colt was seen as Team Godolphin’s third string but he had enjoyed some noticeable late support after finishing second in the influential Lingfield Trial.
Meanwhile, Kirby was able to bag his first Classic win after losing the ride on leading fancy John Leeper to Frankie Dettori earlier in the week.
The duo broke slowly but they got into a nice rhythm and were soon travelling smoothly in third just behind front-runner Gear Up.
The three-year-old was briefly short of room turning for home but a gap on the rail appeared when the leader cracked two out.
Kirby immediately pounced and the son of Frankel quickly powered into a commanding lead entering the final furlong.
Outsider Mojo Star (50/1) made rapid headway in the closing stages and tried to mount a late challenge under David Egan.
However, he was no match for the winner who gave his famous sire a first Derby success by four lengths.
The winner’s stablemate Hurricane Lane (6/1) ran a stormer in third ahead of Mac Swiney (8/1) who did well to take fourth after not really handling the drying conditions.
Hot 11-8 favourite Bolshoi Ballet looked dangerous turning for home but soon faded to finish seventh.
Kirby said: “There’s been ups and downs, it’s racingg 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.
“It’s quite unbelievable really. I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.
“It’s a Derby. He ran well in the Lingfield Derby Trial and that was obviously good form. We can all be wise after the event.
“I got in on the rail and luckily the horse was brave enough to go through with it. He galloped up to the line and out through it.
It’s a great day and I hope t h a t my mother was watching.”
Appleby added: “Al l credit goes to his owner Sheikh Mohammed and Team Godolphin. I did feel this horse was more of a St Leger type and he convinced me to run him in the Derby.
“I’m delighted for Adam Kirby. He gave him a fantastic ride and he was hungry to achieve this.
“We’ll let the dust settle on this but as a team we always thought the St Leger would have been his target. If we hadn’t come hehere, we mimightght wel l have gone for the Chester Va s e . He should improve with experience.”
Adayar
7-2 shot for glory in the
L egereger at
Egan major isis now a more Classic Cazo o St Doncaster. Donca did eenjoy a success succe on Moka atil ( 25/ 1) iin the World PooPool Dash. Ian WiWilliams’ sprinter poweredpo clear in the closing stages to see off the fast- f inishing Only Spoofing (13/2) by just over a length with Stone St Of Destiny (5/1) back in tthird.