Serpentine springs a huge surprise in the Investec Derby
Serpentine springs a huge surprise in the Investec Derby

Investec Derby report: Serpentine runs out remarkble winner


Serpentine ran out a remarkable winner of the Investec Derby, making all the running under Emmet McNamara.

The 25/1 winner was one of six runners in the race for Aidan O'Brien, who was winning the blue riband for a remarkable and record eighth time, and seemed to have adopted the role of pacemaker when bounding clear after three furlongs.

He was ten lengths ahead turning Tattenham Corner and when he held the same advantage approaching the two furlong marker, it was clear the others were in trouble.

Khalifa Sat (50/1) was his nearest purser throughout and was still second at the line, albeit five-and-a-half lengths adrift while 66/1 chance Amhran Na Bhfiann, a stablemate of the winner, boxed on for third.

Of the market leaders Kameko tried to make a challenge from the three furlong marker but was never getting there, finishing fourth. He was a nose ahead of English King who did his best work inside the final furlong.

Click the image to watch the free video replay
Click the image to watch the free video replay

McNamara said: “I think I got a little bit of a freebie. 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 here 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 (lengths) clear all right. It’s a bit surreal. I can’t believe it.”

Emmet McNamara celebrates with the Derby trophy
Emmet McNamara celebrates with the Derby trophy

O’Brien said: “It’s unbelievable really. He has some pedigree and we always thought he would stay well.

“Wayne (Lordan) won on him over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh last week and he galloped straight through the line. He went an even pace and Wayne said he couldn’t pull him up.

“We were happy he wasn’t going to stop and go an even pace. He wasn’t going to come back. He’s another home bred by Galileo. It’s incredible really.

“He always had the Derby pedigree. He took a bit of time to come last year and just had the one run. Then this year he had his first run at the Curragh over a mile and a quarter and was hemmed in and couldn’t get out. But he won very impressively last week. There was no doubt with his performance the last day he had to take chance.

Thanks mate! Emmet McNamara with Serpentine
Thanks mate! Emmet McNamara with Serpentine

“I’m absolutely delighted for Emmet. He gave him an incredible ride, so I’m over the moon. They all run on their merits and we give them the best instructions for each horse to win the race. He stayed well and there was no point waiting with him with no pace. We are always delighted if one of them wins.”


Beaten trainers

Andrew Balding - Khalifa Sat (2nd, 50/1) and Kameko (4th, 5/2 Fav): "It was a funny race but Khalifa Sat ran great, I am thrilled with him. And Kameko ran well to a point - Oisin [Murphy] just felt he emptied out a little bit late on. Two lovely horses and fair play, they both ran great. We have always liked Khalifa Sat, he is a lovely type."

Ed Walker - English King (fifth 10/3): "The way the race panned out was frustrating, purely and simply.

"I am thrilled with everything - proud as punch of the horse, Frankie did well from a difficult draw. I have got no excuses, just a frustrating race. A Derby with no pace - there is no such thing these days, really - and we needed pace. But I am proud of the horse, he has run great. My first Derby experience; he has hit the line hard, another 50 yards and he might have been second."


Beaten jockeys

Tom Marquand on Khalifa Sat (second): "We are really pleased with that for a run. Obviously, the leader sort of skipped away early and had that little bit more toe than us. This lad is honest as the day is long and I am looking forward to seeing him over further."

William Buick on Amhran Na Bhfiann (third): "Why is it so quiet round here!? He ran a great race."

Oisin Murphy on Kameko (fourth): "I am thrilled for Emmet McNamara. He has been part of Ballydoyle for a number of years and is a top-class jockey. The winner got a very enterprising ride. I wasn't making any ground late, if anything I was stopping."

Frankie Dettori on English King (fifth): "I had a good trip. Between the three and one furlong, he couldn't pick up and then he was doing all he did best work at the end. He was just inexperienced."

Seamie Heffernan on Russian Emperor (seventh): "He ran well, but the winner was just too far in front."

Padraig Beggy on Vatican City (eighth): "My lad will improve from that. It was only his fourth run. He is one for another day."

Ben Curtis on Highland Chief (10th): "He got a little bit lost early. Once he got travelling, I was too far back. He picked up well, but a more conventional track would suit him better."

Martin Dwyer on Pyledriver (11th): "I had a nice pitch behind Ryan and then I got hampered when we crossed back and that was my race over. I couldn't get into it from there."

Andrea Atzeni on Mohican Heights (12th): "He slipped coming out of the stalls. I just gave him a chance, he probably lacks experience, but will be a nice horse in time."

James Doyle on Mythical (13th): "I was a spectator."

Harry Bentley on Max Vega (14th): "I had a good position, I travelled OK but as the tempo increased down the hill, I couldn't go with them."


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