Serpentine wins bizarre Derby as Aidan O'Brien lands record eighth win in Epsom classic

Emmet McNamara judged his ride on Serpentine to perfection to score Derby success
PA

Aidan O'Brien became the most successful trainer in Derby history as Serpentine won a bizarre renewal of the Epsom classic.

The Ballydoyle trainer landed an eighth success in the world’s most famous Flat race as part of a huge Derby day double as Love ran out a superb winner of the Oaks.

Serpentine was sent off a 25/1 shot and initially set a steady pace on the front end before upping the tempo from halfway and being allowed to gallop into a clear lead.

The field were clearly expecting the son of Galileo to come back to them, but jockey Emmet McNamara had judged his run to perfection and two furlongs from home it became apparent that the rest had left themselves too much to do, closing en-masse but none finishing closer than the five-and-a-half lengths of 50/1 outsider Khalifa Sat in second.

Amhran Na Bhfiann, another O’Brien runner, finished third at 66/1, with 2000 Guineas winner Kameko, the 5/2 favourite, in fourth.

Serpentine away and clear at Epsom
PA

"I think I got a little bit of a freebie," McNamara said. "I had huge amount of confidence in the horse having spoken to Aidan during the week.

"He said he was a horse that is going to stay a mile and six well. He said jump, go your own tempo and just from halfway, from the six to the five, give him a breather. He said he'll keep going and he was right.

"All I could hear was the horse breathing. He was in a good rhythm. He was relaxed and I couldn't hear a thing around me.

"I didn't want to be looking. I wasn't sure, but I knew I was a few clear all right.

"It's a bit surreal. I can't believe it."

If the Derby produced an unlikely and unsatisfactory outcome, then the Oaks did anything but, as 1000 Guineas winner Love announced herself as a potential superstar to justify 11/10 favouritism under Ryan Moore.

PA

The filly broke Enable’s record time in the race to destroy her seven rivals and win by nine lengths from stablemate Ennistymon, who reversed the form with John Gosden’s Frankly Darling from their Ribblesdale meeting, the latter finishing third.

Love could now attempt to become the first winner of the Fillies Triple Crown since Oh So Sharp in 1985 if she takes in the St. Leger next, though the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has already been suggested as an alternative target.

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