No dream Paris finale for Goldikova
The runner-up was bidding to win a 15th Group One race on her farewell to French racing and looked set to strike when going to the front a furlong out.
However William Buick, completing a big double on the card, followed her through on Dream Ahead and the pair were soon locked together.
They flashed past the the post seemingly as one but the photographic evidence showed the British raider had his head in front where it matters most.
Buick said: “David has trained this horse to perfection, it’s not been easy the whole way through.
“There’s no point saying David’s a good trainer because everybody knows that already.
“Everything panned out today. I just wish Goldikova wasn’t second because I’m a big fan, but Dream Ahead was a worthy winner, the best horse won the race.
“I always said he’d be better in a good race because when he gets to the front he does nothing. Today he went a head up and started hanging left.”
Winning owner Khalifa Dasmal, who won the Derby with Shaamit in 1996, said: “To beat a horse like Goldikova is unbelievable and we’d have been happy to have finished second.
“He’s obviously a very good horse and he’s proved it over several distances and on different types of ground.”
Head said of Goldikova: “I think the mileage is starting to catch up with her maybe, we will have to see.”
