Racing: Kieren Fallon admitted he thought he might lose the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the stewards' room following dramatic scenes at Longchamp today.
The former champion jockey drove the Aidan O'Brien-trained Dylan Thomas home to deny Mick Channon's Youmzain but caused interference in the process and a lengthy wait of around 30 minutes ensued before the placings were confirmed by the officials.
Fallon, who is due to appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow on charges relating to allegedly defrauding Betfair customers, said: "I was very worried but the boys were confident I wouldn't lose it.
"Stephane Pasquier (rider of Zambezi Sun) helped me in the stewards' room and he backed me up. He owed me one (after an incident in the Grand Prix de Paris earlier in the season) but I think he has paid it back now.
"I would have preferred it if they had gone quicker in the race. I was cantering all the way and he is such a good horse. 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.
"It's hard to say what I feel like. This is probably one of the best days of my life. It is a great day."
O'Brien, gaining his first success in the great race, said: "He has hardly ever been beaten over a mile and a half. The ground is a big thing for him but he has overcome that today. He is a super horse.
"Kieren gave him a masterful ride and he is a master in the saddle. This is a marvellous race, we have always wanted to have the winner and great credit must go to everybody at home. There are so many people involved that have made this happen."
Joint-owner Michael Tabor said: "I didn't see the incident, it was all a blur to me. He came across Zambezi Sun but he was well beaten so it hasn't affected the result. In England it wouldn't be a question but in France it is a bit more uncertain.
"I don't know what to say. Dylan Thomas has been on the go all year and a couple of the races he has lost this year he has had some hard luck. We always knew how good he was but on this ground it is an extra-special performance. He's by Danehill so let's hope he is the successor to Danehill.
"This is as sweet as it gets. But before the race when we discussed it I was saying why run in the Arc as we have Soldier and the ground is wrong. But Aidan said he is the type of horse who needs to run and here we are."
Channon said of the runner-up: "We knew he was in good heart and realistically we knew there was one or two that could beat us. Dylan Thomas was one of those.
"I'm thrilled he has run his race and he is a very good horse."
His jockey Richard Hughes joked: "Throw him out! I was absolutely cruising behind Zambezi Sun but just as I went for him he was on the wrong leg and it took a few strides to get him in full flight.
"When we got to him Dylan Thomas just pulled out a little bit more."
Trainer Jonathan Pease said of third home Sagara: "I'm very pleased — he is the first three-year-old home and either he's very good or the others are very over-rated. He just got stopped a bit near the post but there are no real excuses.
"I think we will stop him for the year now but keep him at four."
Authorized's part-owner Saleh Al Homeizi said: "I'm just very disappointed. I can't say too much now, but from what I have seen he was a long way back for too long. Frankie said he didn't handle the track but we will just have to see how the horse comes back."
Dettori said: "The horse was beaten before the start. He wasn't the horse today and I don't know if it was the track or what."