The Sir Michael Stoute trained Kris Kin has landed a massive gamble by winning the Epsom Vodafone Derby under a powerful ride from Irish Jockey Kieren Fallon. The heavily-backed (6-1) shot was driven into the lead inside the final furlong to land the £852,600 first prize by a length from The Great Gatsby (20-1) with Alamshar (4-1) third. The David Elsworth trained Norse Dancer ran a cracker to finish fourth.
The Aidan O’Brien trained The Great Gatsby set out to make the entire running under Pat Eddery, along with Clive Brittan’s Dutch Gold. Refuse To Bend, the 11-4 favourite, was racing in touch with Brian Boru close up on the inside and Kris Kin in mid-division. As the field turned for home Eddery kicked on and had most of the runners in trouble, but Fallon had the move covered and went in pursuit of the leader.
His mount answered all his calls to lead inside the final furlong and hold his rivals at bay in a stirring finish to land a massive public gamble. The John Oxx trained Alamshar threatened briefly a furlong out and was only a short head behind the second, while Norse Dancer had been last at the top of the hill and made up an amazing amount of ground to claim fourth place.
Winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute was landing his third Derby following the victories of Shergar in 1981 and Shahrastani five years later, while Fallon was winning his second blue riband after Oath's success in 1999. “Everything went his way and he travelled good in his race. They went a good gallop and he was able to quicken. It got a bit tight at the top of the hill as it always does when they cross over. I worried there but I let him find himself and he was OK, “said champion jockey Fallon to BBC Sport.
“The best horse won on the day. It is disappointing, but there you go,” said owner of The Great Gatsby Sue Magnier. “At the two marker I thought I was going to win. I couldn't see or hear anything. But just as were coming out of the dip I could see Kieren's horse coming quick and he was coming wide of me. If he had come closer my chap might have fought back a little bit. He's a brave horse and gave me a great ride. He was very quick from the gate, very alert and at the top of the hill I was able to ease him up in front, and when I got him in the straight I just let him loose,” said Pat Eddery.
“The winner just kicked and found a length more than we did today, but if he keeps going the right way then who knows? He is improving all the time and that race was a big experience for him,” said Alamshar’s trainer John Oxx. Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh said "I was in between a few and he probably didn't travel as well as I thought he would. He seemed to stay on very well. There was a worry about him staying but I think all he did today was stay."
4.00 Epsom - The Vodafone Derby:
1st - Kris Kin (6/1)
2nd - The Great Gatsby (20/1)
3rd - Alamshar (4/1)
4th - Norse Dancer (16/1)
5th - Balestrini
6th - Dutch Gold
7th - Let Me Try Again
8th - Graikos
9th - Magistretti
10th - Shield
11th - Summerland
12th - Alberto Giacometti
13th - Refuse To Bend
14th - Franklins Gardens
15th - Dunhill Star
16th - Brian Boru
17th Strenght 'N Honour
18th Unigold
19th Lundy's Land
Last Prince Nureyev
Filed by James Shortt
