Derby day is losing some of its stardust

THE most famous Flat race in the world is threatening to lose its lustre.

Adayar, Godolphin’s third string at 16-1, claimed the Derby last weekend by a scarcely believable four-and-a-half lengths. A maiden, Mojo Star, was a clear second at 50-1.

Trainer Charlie Appleby (pictured) was even mooting the possibility of not running Adayar in the Derby until swayed by the owners.

It brought back similar confusing memories of last year when Serpentine made all to win for Aidan O’Brien at 25-1 by five-and-a-half lengths from other big-priced long shots.

In 2019, Anthony Van Dyck was also not the first string for Ballydoyle when he prevailed in a blanket finish. The winner of 2018, Masar, suffered an injury, while Wings Of Eagles was another largely unfancied O’Brien long shot to win in 2017.

The last five winners are a far cry from what racing fans have enjoyed previously and they’ve won just one race in 16 between them since Derby glory. It’s a dispiriting statistic and an illustrious race is becoming a general run-of-the-mill one.

Between 2010 and 2015, we’ve seen a solid roll of honour in Workforce, Pour Moi, Camelot, Ruler Of The World, Australia and Golden Horn. All Derby victors to remember and, with varying degrees of success, stallions that are largely sought after.

The make-up of the Derby is different now and is not aided by the close proximity to Royal

Ascot this year. Trainers would run their best middle-distance three-year-olds in the Derby and we’d find out, fairly definitively who’s the best. In recent years, trainers run what they think might be their best.

The last two renewals have seen plenty of well-regarded colts lack the required experience or suitability to handle the quirks and cambers Epsom provides.

Let’s hope Adayar can defy the recent trend of moderate Derby winners. We’ll find out in the King George VI Stakes next month.