Workforce cruises to Derby win

Racing: Workforce gave Michael Stoute his fifth success in the Investec Derby at Epsom with a brilliant performance under Ryan…

Racing:Workforce gave Michael Stoute his fifth success in the Investec Derby at Epsom with a brilliant performance under Ryan Moore. It was a first success in the race for Moore and the second leg of an amazing double after he secured his first Classic victory on Snow Fairy in yesterday's Oaks.

A 6-1 chance having finished second in the Dante Stakes at York, the King's Best colt was settled towards the rear by the champion jockey as Ballydoyle pacemaker At First Sight set a scorching gallop.

The latter held a huge lead turning for home, but Workforce mowed him down halfway up the straight and galloped all the way to the line to score by seven lengths in a record time.

At First Sight, sent off at 100-1, ran an incredible race to fill the runner-up spot, while Rewilding was third for Frankie Dettori.

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Stoute, who had registered previous Derby wins with Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003) and North Light (2004), has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds Workforce.

He arrived at Epsom on the back of just two starts, an impressive debut win at Goodwood as a juvenile and his second to Cape Blanco on the Knavesmire.

Aidan O'Brien's Jan Vermeer was sent off the hot favourite under Johnny Murtagh but could only finish fourth.

Moore said: "He had a really clean run, I was happy where I was in the race.

"We got a dream run and he quickened really well. The ground was fast enough for him, but he's a really good horse and I'm delighted with that.

"This is the most important race to me, it's great to ride for the boss (Stoute) and Prince Khalid (Abdullah, owner). It's really good day."

Stoute said: "The Dante didn't go as we wanted and it was unsatisfactory, but he was seriously good today.

"I'm delighted for Ryan. He's a confident lad, but after he missed Conduit's win in the Leger, I wanted to get the monkey (Classic win) off his back."

At First Sight's rider Seamie Heffernan said: "I was second on one of the favourites (Fame And Glory) last year and I was second on an outsider today. My experience of the course helped and they just let me go."

Murtagh added: "I was right upsides Ryan (Moore), but when he quickened up I couldn't go with him. I was never really confident at any stage."

O'Brien said: "Jan Vermeer lost both his front shoes, but the second horse stays really well. The winner looked exceptional."

Saeed bin Suroor said of third-placed Rewilding: "He still needs the experience and he will be a better horse later on in the season.

"Frankie said a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half is his trip. I don't think he's a Leger horse, he has a lot of speed."

Of Bullet Train, trainer Henry Cecil said: "He came down the hill at Lingfield but he didn't come down the hill today. I'll have to look at him, but I can't see anything wrong with him and there are no other excuses really."

John Gosden said of Azmeel: "Our boy was too keen early on and didn't relax until it was too late. That said, it wouldn't have mattered compared to the winner."