Kris Kin wins Epsom Derby
Kris Kin, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Kieren Fallon, has won the Vodafone Derby at Epsom this afternoon.
The heavily-backed 6-1 shot was driven into the lead inside the final furlong to land the £852,600 (€1,201,717) first prize by a length from The Great Gatsby (20-1) with Alamshar (4-1) third.
Norse Dancer came home in fourth.
The Great Gatsby set out to make all the running under Pat Eddery, along with 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.
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.
Kris Kin and Norse Dancer had been supplemented for the race at a cost of £90,000 on Monday.
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.
Stoute said: "It's always a great thrill. You can't win it too many times and 1986 was a long time ago.
“We’ve had a little bit of misfortune over the years since that period so I am delighted that it has come good.
“I am delighted for Saeed Suhail (owner) who was tough enough to supplement him. You’ve got one of the great rides round Epsom on Derby day from Kieren Fallon – and that helped.
“I thought Kieren got into a nice position at the top of the hill and running down the hill I thought he was going to run a very big race and when they straightened up I knew he could pick up and go for it like he did at Chester and I knew he was going to go close at that stage.”
The Great Gatsby runs in the colours of Sue Magnier, and her husband John said : ``The best horse won on the day. It is disappointing, but there you go.''
John Oxx, trainer of third-placed Alamshar, said: “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.”
Eddery, riding in his 31st Derby, said: ``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.”
