Resurgent Dettori wins Epsom Derby on Golden Horn

Frankie Dettori powered home 13-8 favourite Golden Horn to win the Epsom Derby on Saturday to crown the Italian riding star's return to the big time after his well-documented drugs ban and split with Godolphin.

Dettori, claiming the blue riband for the second time after Authorized in 2007, came from the back of the field to surge into the lead after the final turn, with Jack Hobbs (4-1) taking second, three and a half lengths in arrears.

The first two were trained by John Gosden, like Dettori also winning his second Derby after Benny The Dip in 1997.

Storm The Stars (14-1), trained by William Haggas finished third, four and a half lengths back.

With a question mark over his mount's stamina 44-year-old Dettori, the oldest jockey in the race, held Golden Horn up as Hans Holbein, trying to claim trainer Aidan O'Brien's fourth straight win in the Epsom classic, led the dozen runners round Tattenham Corner.

William Buick got to work on Jack Hobbs and they briefly took command but Dettori was cruising up the outside, and once in front stayed on stoutly to land the famous spoils, Dettori waving his arm in jubilation.

Dettori, relishing his resurgence after falling out with Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin and a six months ban for cocaine use, said: "The horse was magnificent. He did win it by a long way in the end he flew at the end.

"He hit a flat spot and I thought I can't get him going but then he flew. Unbelievable - In the last 100 yards I couldn't believe I had won the Derby again. I have to pinch myself.

"I can't get to the bottom of this horse and I couldn't pull him up at the end of the race. He is an unbeaten Derby winner - what more can you say?!"
Gosden, only the third person to train the first two home in the Derby, reflected: "I thought Frankie dropped him out beautifully. He rode a cool race.

"Jack Hobbs has run a blinder and all being well he can go to Ireland (Derby)," added the 64-year-old.

Golden Horn shot to the top of the Derby's ante-post betting when claiming the main Derby prep, the Dante at York.

Owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer had never regarded his colt as a Derby candidate due to doubts about the mile half and a half trip, and so had to pay a 75,000 pound supplementary fee to add him to the Epsom mix - money well spent as it turned out with his colt now worth tens of millions as a stallion.

"Such a thrill - amazing, I can hardly believe it amazing," said Oppenheimer.

Buick said of Jack Hobbs: "I'm very proud of him. It's all come very quick for him and he'll be a lovely horse in time.

"He ran a great race and they are two lovely horses, the first and second. On the day the winner was just better.

"I knew when I pressed the button Frankie would be on my tail."

In an intriguing twist, Dettori had ridden Jack Hobbs in the Dante, with Buick on Golden Horn.

But after Dettori's former employers Godolphin had bought a controlling stake in Jack Hobbs and so claimed Buick, their new retained rider, for him, leaving the way clear for Dettori to taste Epsom glory again.

Bookmakers make Golden Horn 6-4 favourite for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, and a best priced 8-1 to topple Treve, seeking a third straight win, in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
Source: AFP