Watch a full replay of the premier Classic and analysis by our experts, plus interviews with the victors and vanquished.
Aidan O’Brien had described Auguste Rodin as a collector’s item in the build-up to the 244th running of the Betfred Derby and the colt showed his true worth as he provided the trainer with a record-extending ninth triumph in the premier Classic at Epsom on Saturday.
The impeccably bred colt, ridden by Ryan Moore, wore down the giant King Of Steel in the closing stages to erase the memory of his lamentable run in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. O’Brien had given a lengthy list of reasons as to why the son of Japanese legend Deep Impact had fluffed his lines at Headquarters and, stepped up to 12 furlongs, he was transformed.
Activists had threatened to disrupt one of the great highlights of the sporting summer and as spectators waited excitedly for the runners to appear, an intruder jumped the fence and rushed on to the course.
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He was pursued by police as the crowd jeered, with some shouting “get him”, before being pulled away and tackled to the ground where he was handcuffed. Shortly after, a woman tried to jump the fence in front of the grandstand as police officers rushed to stop her.
Oblivious to behaviour later described as “reckless and dangerous” by
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Julie Harrington, Moore settled Auguste Rodin in mid-division as his stablemates San Antonio and Adelaide River dictated terms up front. The jockey, previously successful on Workforce and Ruler Of The World, was content to let the action unfold in front of him.
Kevin Stott made an audacious bid for home after rounding Tattenham Corner aboard the 66-1 outsider King Of Steel, a horse who dwarfed plenty of his rivals in the paddock beforehand.
Our experts, led by Nick Luck, give a snap verdict on the race
It looked as though King Of Steel, trained by Roger Varian, had stolen an unassailable lead coming into the final furlong, but Auguste Rodin (9-2) kept on relentlessly to collar him in the shadow of the post.
Varian’s Kingston Hill also finished runner-up in the 2014 Derby, won by the O’Brien-trained Australia. The trainer might well rue the fact that King Of Steel had been denied a run in the Dante last month after playing up beforehand.
White Birch ran on for third having run into a few traffic problems with fellow Irish raider Sprewell taking fourth.
Frankie Dettori, riding in the great race for the 28th and final time, drifted back through the field aboard Arrest, who was sent off the 4-1 favourite. The Chester Vase winner finished tenth of the 14 runners, not looking at home on the fast ground or track.
Dettori is proving hard to stop during his Farewell Tour, though, and duly won the next race on the card, aboard Prosperous Voyage. Afterwards, he announced he had ridden at Epsom for the last time.
WATCH AND READ WHAT THE VANQUISHED HAD TO SAY
“Arrest got very warm beforehand. We jumped good, we had a good slot but from the four (furlong pole) I was in trouble,” he said. “He was climbing and was finding the downhill from Tattenham Corner very difficult. He took me into the straight and his legs were going everywhere. It was a combination of the left-hand track, downhill and the ground drying up. It is what it is.”
Dettori will never again grace the Surrey Downs, and there will never be another Deep Impact colt in the Derby, either.
The Japanese champion covered just 24 mares in his final season as a stallion before his death at the age of 17. Auguste Rodin was among his tiny final crop. A collector’s item, indeed, who thankfully we can all enjoy for this summer and beyond.
So close, yet to far: Kevin Stott reflects on the mighty comeback run of King Of Steel
Plans for Auguste Rodin will have to be discussed, but the Irish Derby or King George at Ascot could be on the radar.
O’Brien said: “I’m not sure, but obviously these type of horses come here and if they’re good enough we often have a look at the Irish Derby, but the lads make all those decisions. We’ll see how he is, tell the lads and they’ll talk about it, talk to Ryan and then we’ll make a decision.
“I don’t think he had too tough a race as it wasn’t a strong early pace. All those options are open to him.”
Aidan O’Brien full reaction
“All the people in Coolmore have made this happen – this is a total homebred horse. It’s all credit to them to make this happen every day. He came with a massive reputation as a beautiful horse but he kept stepping up to all the markers all the way, which is very unusual.
“He’s totally unique – he’s out of one of the greatest Galileo mares (Rhododendron) by the greatest stallion ever in Japan.
“Ryan said it probably didn’t suit him, he would have preferred a lot stronger pace but he said he had to quicken twice, so obviously he’s so exciting for us.
“I feel so grateful and so delighted for all the lads, everyone. It’s a great pleasure for us to have anything to do with him really.”
Reflecting on Auguste Rodin’s Newmarket reverse, O’Brien said: “It was one of those days. Kind of from a few days before, it all started to go wrong.
“As we all know, it’s a funny game, it has to go round and everyone has to get their day. Sometimes you control the things you can control, but the variables that you can’t control all start falling against you and you can’t stop that.
“From a couple of days before, we had the flight booked on the morning and then it all started going wrong then. Every step of the way, everything just fell against him.
“The lads had the plan for him that he would do the three races (Triple Crown) and we knew the first one would be the toughest one because to do that everything had to fall right for him and everything went totally wrong.
“He came out of the race great, that was the massive thing. Every day, riding him work, he was just getting better and more and more confident.”
O’Brien continued: “Ryan was so cool, he knew the pressure was on and gave him a peach of a ride.
“In February, Ryan rode him in work and said he was very special, as a two-year-old, so you can imagine what he was like then. His movement was so spectacular and sometimes horses lose that but he never changed the whole way. He’s the most unbelievable economical way of going, his action, temperament and breathing but his movement is just incredible.”
Ryan Moore reaction
“We had a smooth run. We landed in a smooth spot, I had William (Buick, on Military Order) and Frankie (Dettori, on Arrest) ahead of me and was always confident I had them covered.
“We didn’t go that quick, it turned in to a bit of a dash, but I was getting a nice smooth run. He was a bit babyish, I always thought I had the race won, but I just had to get into him in the last furlong there and he responded very gamely. He’s done that quite cosily, I think.”
On the training performance of O’Brien to get Auguste Rodin back to his best, he said: “He’s the only man that could do it. I’ve seen him get horses back. There’s been horses that have run bad in the Guineas and have come back. Roderic O’Connor springs to mind and a few others, even Qualify ran bad in a Guineas and came and won an Oaks. Aidan can just do things.
“This horse has a great pedigree, he’s always shown he’s a good horse. As Aidan says, everyone does such a good job at home and everything went smooth today.”
Animal rights activists foiled and 31 arrested
Plans to disrupt the Derby were foiled as animal rights activists were arrested attempting to run on to the course at Epsom.
Despite pledges by Animal Rising to “cancel or severely delay” the Derby, the premier Classic went ahead as planned, with Auguste Rodin securing victory for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.
As spectators waited excitedly for the runners to appear, a man jumped the fence and rushed on to the course. He was pursued by police before being pulled away and tackled to the ground where he was handcuffed.
Shortly after, a woman tried to jump the fence in front of the grandstand as police officers rushed to stop her.
BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington has condemned the reckless and dangerous protest that took place during this afternoon’s Betfred Derby at Epsom pic.twitter.com/R5xJocXkYG
— British Horseracing Authority (@BHAHorseracing) June 3, 2023
Angry onlookers screamed their displeasure, while police threw her to the floor and handcuffed her just as the horses thundered past the finish line.
It came after Surrey Police arrested 19 people earlier on Saturday based on intelligence suggesting they were “intent on illegally disrupting” the Derby.
Last week, the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted the injunction against Animal Rising, claiming it had made “explicitly clear” it intended to breach security at the racecourse.
Observers described the situation as “ludicrous” and “absolute insanity” while others thanked police for putting a stop to the protests.
Giving his reaction, winning rider Moore said: “Andrew Cooper (clerk of the course at Epsom) and his team and the Jockey Club and the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) have been on top of it. It seems to have gone off without a hitch and I think that is a very good sign.”
Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, praised the prompt reactions of security staff and the police, but condemned the “reckless and illegal” behaviour of the protesters involved.
He said: “Our security teams and the police acted swiftly and decisively to remove an Animal Rising protester who entered the racetrack after the Derby had started and while the race was being run.
“This reckless and illegal behaviour which threatened the safety of our equine and human athletes is a breach of the High Court injunction which the Jockey Club obtained last week and prohibits trespass. The court order provides a clear route to prosecution, fines and even the threat of prison for Contempt of Court and we will now take steps to enforce that.
“Animal Rising have repeatedly stated that they would not attempt to disrupt any races while in progress and we utterly condemn their deplorable and mindless actions today.
“The Derby was first run in 1780 and has continued despite two world wars, the Covid pandemic and a number of other extreme challenges. That the 244th running of the race was able to take place on time today is testament to the determination of everyone to stage one of British sport’s most iconic and loved events.”
“Reckless and dangerous behaviour”
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Julie Harrington condemned the “reckless and dangerous” actions of a protester who ran on to the Epsom track after the Betfred Derby had started.
Harrington thanked the police and security teams for their speedy response, but criticised the behaviour of the protester involved.
A statement said: “We strongly condemn the actions of the individual who ran onto the track after the Betfred Derby had started.
“Despite Animal Rising having previously stated on multiple occasions that they would do nothing to jeopardise the safety of horses and riders, this reckless and dangerous behaviour did exactly that and I am grateful to Epsom’s security team for their swift response to ensure the race could be completed safely.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the staff at the Jockey Club and my colleagues at the BHA, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the Derby could be staged safely, and to the race’s participants who cooperated fully during what were shortened preliminaries. I also want to thank Surrey Police for their decisive actions ahead of the Derby.”
The Jockey Club was granted a High Court injunction against the activist group last week and Truesdale underlined the intention to enforce that.
He said: “Our security teams and the police acted swiftly and decisively to remove an Animal Rising protester who entered the racetrack after the Derby had started and while the race was being run.
“This reckless and illegal behaviour which threatened the safety of our equine and human athletes is a breach of the High Court injunction which the Jockey Club obtained last week and prohibits trespass. The court order provides a clear route to prosecution, fines and even the threat of prison for Contempt of Court and we will now take steps to enforce that.
“Animal Rising have repeatedly stated that they would not attempt to disrupt any races while in progress and we utterly condemn their deplorable and mindless actions today.
“The Derby was first run in 1780 and has continued despite two world wars, the Covid pandemic and a number of other extreme challenges. That the 244th running of the race was able to take place on time today is testament to the determination of everyone to stage one of British sport’s most iconic and loved events.”
Police arrested 31 protesters attempting to disrupt Derby, including 12 in the grounds.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “We can confirm that 31 people have been arrested in connection with planned criminal activity at the Epsom Derby Festival this afternoon.
“Eleven people were arrested at addresses in Mitcham and Byfleet in the early hours, following warrants based on intelligence received ahead of the Epsom Derby Festival. A further eight people were arrested after their vehicle was stopped on Canons Lane in Burgh Heath at around 10.20am this morning.
“All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance and remain in police custody.
“A total of 12 people have been arrested within the Epsom Downs racecourse since the event began this morning, also in connection with planned criminal activity.
“One man was arrested after he ran onto the racetrack after a race had started. He was quickly removed by event security and police officers, meaning the race was not disrupted.”
Chief Superintendent Clive Davies said: “Our officers and event security responded quickly and decisively after a man ran on to the racetrack after a race had begun.
“We will not tolerate criminal behaviour which puts lives in danger, including those of the animals, jockeys, security staff and our officers.”
Giving his reaction, winning rider Moore said: “Andrew Cooper (clerk of the course at Epsom) and his team and the Jockey Club and the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) have been on top of it. It seems to have gone off without a hitch and I think that is a very good sign.”
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The post Auguste Rodin proves a Derby delight as activists thwarted appeared first on NY Times News Today.
