Willie Carson wins his fi rst Derby as Troy streaks home at Epsom
The Scotsman 7 June, 1979
AMASSIVE crowd, who closed the gates long before the 200th Derby yesterday, saw the heavily-backed Troy (6-1), streak home, the easiest winner for 54 years, seven lengths ahead of Dickens Hill, after a dramatic recovery.
The world’s richest race, worth £153,980, was watched by the Queen, whose Milford could only finish tenth for Lester Piggott.
Troy dominated this international finish from the moment Willie Carson brought him from far back to pass more than a dozen rivals, headed by the pace-forcing Lyphard’s Wish, with less than two furlongs to go.
By then, Troy had really hit top gear, and his winning margin was the biggest since Mana and Steve Donoghue triumphed by eight in 1925.
It ended a long quest for Derby honours by Dick Hern, who must have thought there was a jinx on his Epsom ventures and his veteran patron Sir Michael Sobell, the retired industrialist. Hern recalled his first Derby winner was Trimmer 21 years ago, and, in between, his luck had been abysmal: Hethersett was brought down, Bustino had a rough passage and Reform, also Sobell-owned, finished fourth in spite of having flu.
But it was all smiles yesterday with Hern declaring: “I’m really thrilled. It’s every trainer’s dream to win this classic. This colt has a marvellous temperament and nothing bothers him. I thought he had plenty to do coming down the hill and I must say he surprised me in the way that he quickened.”
The result emphatically vindicated the judgment of Willie Carson, who had the choice of Troy and Milford.
Though he did not reveal his choice until a fortnight ago, Carson said: “There was never any doubt which I was going to ride. I planned to follow Lyphard’s Wish but Troy had no pace early on and I had to let him go.
“Once he saw daylight he flew. He’s the best colt I’ve ridden. I’ve had a harder time than he has.”
Before the race, Hern would not express a preference, saying: “I have brought my crystal ball. Troy was slightly the better when they worked together six weeks ago, but Milford has improved since.”
Of the surprise third, Philip Paquet said: “Northern Baby is small but tough. Once into the straight, I knew we’d be placed.”
Ela-Mana-Mou, who started favourite, finished fourth and a disappointed Greville Starkey said: “He just could not act on this track. We had no hope coming down the hill.”
This was the same excuse from Steve Cauthen, 12th on Tap on Wood. Hooliganism nearly wrecked the classic when a spectator threw a toilet roll at the runners as they rounded Tattenham Corner. Worst affected was French jockey Yves Saint-Martin, partnering the Irish-trained colt Accomplice.
Yves had only three behind him as he crossed the winning line with a wreath of paper trailing from his head. “The incident caused my horse to check and it could have been worse, but I can’t honestly say it cost me the race,” said Yves.
The Tote rate the 1979 Derby winner as the fastest colt in Europe. They quote Troy at 6-4 for the Irish Derby – the same price for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and 4-1 for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
Troy was a bad loser for William Hill’s but money for Milford and Tap on Wood on the day reduced losses.
Dickens Hill; 3. Northern Baby; 4. Ela-Mana-Mou; 5. Lyphard’s Wish; 6. Hardgreen; 7. Man of Vision; 8. Cracaval; 9. Niniski; 10. Milford; 11. Noelino; 12. Tap on Wood; 13. Morvetta; 14. Two of Diamonds; 15. Son of Love; 16. Lake City; 17 New Berry; 18. Chetinkaya; 19. Accomplice; 20. Leodegrance; 21. Halyudh; 22. Laska Floko. (Saracen Prince refused to race). Celtic braced for Hooper exit Cup hero is a wanted man. (6,378) tOday rugby union: British & Irish Lions v Barbarians Warren Gatland’s Lions play their first match in Hong Kong Golf: european tour The Nordea Masters from Sweden PGa tour The Memorial Tournament Cricket: India v Sri Lanka
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