Frankie Dettori steered Golden Horn to a brilliant victory in the Derby at Epsom. John Gosden's three-year-old was sent off the 13-8 favourite for the premier Classic following a fine display in the Dante Stakes at York last month and Dettori settled the market leader towards the rear of the field for much of the mile-and-a-half Classic.
Dettori allowed his mount to ease closer from the home turn and he dispelled any doubts about his stamina as he quickened clear of stable companion Jack Hobbs to give the popular Italian rider his second taste of Derby glory.
Just as he had done in the Dante, Jack Hobbs came off second best, beaten three and a half lengths.
Storm The Stars was a further four and a half lengths away in third.
Aiden O’Brien had three runners in the field but Kiliminjaro, Hans Holbein and Giovanni Canaletto had to settle for minor placings.
Golden Horn was not even in the Derby reckoning until after his York romp, but the triumph led to owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer supplementing him for the race, despite his own doubts about whether his charge would get home over the 12-furlong distance.
Dettori was on board Jack Hobbs on the Knavesmire, with William Buick riding Golden Horn, but the two jockeys swapped places at Epsom after Buick’s retaining owners Godolphin snapped up a majority share in Jack Hobbs.
Golden Horn’s stamina was certainly tested, with Hans Holbein and Dante third Elm Park setting a furious early gallop before weakening out of contention.
Jack Hobbs, the 4-1 second-favourite despite concerns about the drying ground, was the first of the Gosden pair to show his hand, sweeping to the front inside the final furlong.
But he had no answer to Golden Horn’s superior turn of foot and the market leader was well on top as he passed the post under a jubilant Dettori, who said: “Unbelievable — I still can’t believe I’ve won the Derby again. What a feeling. Fantastic.
“I knew he was a good horse, it was up to me to mess it up, but everything went right.”
Dettori’s Derby triumph comes eight years after his first aboard Authorized in 2007. He said: “We’ve won the Derby! I can’t believe it. It was brilliant. The horse was magnificent. I was just a passenger.
“He hit a flat spot, but he flew at the end. When he found top gear, he was off.
“John has won it without me and I’ve won it without him and, finally, 20 years later, we’re back together and we’ve done it together. It’s fantastic.”
Gosden has waited even longer for his second success, with Benny The Dip his first Epsom hero in 1997.
Gosden said: “He (Golden Horn) was quite keen early and I thought Frankie dropped him out beautifully. The last thing I said to him was ride a cool race, and he rode a cool race.
“I thought it was a great ride and he’s a proper horse.
“Jack (Hobbs) has run the most superb race. He was beautifully balanced by William down the hill into the straight. He ran a blinder and all being well he can go to Ireland (Irish Derby).
“It’s great to be here.”
Oppenheimer was holding back the tears in the winner’s enclosure.
He said: “It’s such a thrill, it’s amazing. We can hardly believe it.
“We’re very happy. Everyone at the stud works hard. All my staff have been brilliant.”
