Racing: Dylan Thomas is set for a glorious finale in the Breeders' Cup Turf after his dramatic victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp yesterday.
Jockey Kieren Fallon and the horse's followers had to endure a 35-minute wait before being awarded Europe's showpiece middle-distance event after the 11-2 chance appeared to cause interference in the home straight.
But the stewards let the result stand and Aidan O'Brien's Irish Derby hero of 2006 was confirmed the winner, having held off the fierce challenge of the 66-1 outsider Youmzain by a head.
Fallon, who is due to stand trial at the Old Bailey today on charges relating to allegedly defrauding Betfair customers, to which he has pleaded not guilty, said: "It's hard to say what I feel like. This is probably one of the best days of my life.
"I was very worried but the boys were confident I wouldn't lose it. I would have preferred it if they had gone quicker in the race and the pace was stronger.
"I could feel Youmzain coming but even if they had gone round again they wouldn't have got by him as he is tough, genuine and has done it all now.
"He was able to do this on ground he doesn't like, which shows how good he is. I almost got off him during the week to ride Soldier Of Fortune but Aidan convinced me the ground would be drying out."
Dylan Thomas was providing O'Brien with a first win in the Arc but the trainer was keen to lavish praise on his stable jockey as well as his all-conquering colt.
He said: "What a masterful ride he gave him and I don't think he has ever been beaten on this horse. When Kieren gets on a horse he goes into a different land. What a unique talent he is."
He added of Dylan Thomas: "Everyone knows he is best on hard ground but he is a wonderful horse and Kieren gave him a great ride.
"On real fast ground he is amazing and we were worried about the ground but has overcome it with his determination and he always gives his all.
"The plan if everything goes well is to go for the Breeders' Cup Turf. I am not sure if he will stay in training next year but he probably won't."