Anthony Van Dyck makes it a magnificent seven for Aidan O'Brien in Derby
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Watch a full replay of how five horses fought out the finish of a thrilling renewal of the world's most famous Flat race at Epsom on Saturday.
Anthony Dan Dyck provided Aidan O’Brien with a record-equalling seventh victory in the Investec Derby at Epsom.
Eighteen years on from his first triumph in the premier Classic with Galileo, the County Tipperary trainer saddled no less than seven of the 13 runners, with the previously unbeaten Sir Dragonet heading the market at 11-4 after being supplemented earlier in the week.
Anthony Van Dyck – a three-time winner as a two-year-old – earned his shot at Derby glory with an impressive comeback victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial three weeks ago and was also prominent in the betting at 13-2, following support in the minutes leading up to the race.
Seamie Heffernan’s mount raced in mid-division for much of the way, and still had more horses ahead of him than behind inside the final quarter-mile
Sir Dragonet and Madhmoon – trained by the 86-year-old Kevin Prendergast – were disputing the lead racing inside the final furlong, but Anthony Dan Dyck darted up the inside of the pair and galloped on strongly against the far rail.
Watch a full replay of the 240th Derby
Madhmoon boxed on for second to deny O’Brien a clean sweep, with another Ballydoyle inmate in Japan flying home to finish third, ahead of his stable companions Broome and Sir Dragonet in fourth and fifth respectively.
With Circus Maximus sixth, it meant O'Brien was responsible for five of the first six home.
O'Brien swiftly paid credit to everyone at his base in Ballydoyle.
"It's incredible. I'm so delighted for everyone and privileged to be part of the team." he said.
"The lads (John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith) put so much in and everyone who works in Ballydoyle and Coolmore - all the way along. There's so many people, from the ground up to the riders, that I'd like to thank.
"I wasn't sure [if he would win], they were all there with a chance and I knew Kevin's horse was there [Madhmoon] and I knew he'd be in top shape and he's a very good horse.
A jubilant Aidan O'Brien tells Tom Stanley what another success means to him
"We were just hoping and so delighted to be involved at that part of the race."
He added: "Seamus had been placed so many times and has worked for us for so long - he's such a special fellow. He's always been a world-class rider and I'm so delighted for him
Asked about future plans, O'Brien said: "I think the lads will decide, like they always do, but that is what we thought - that the winner would go back to Ireland (for the Irish Derby, at the Curragh). It is a nice progression for the horse.
"We have the track, the facility and the stands there and it is a three-year-old only race - after that they have to go in against the older horses. We will see how he comes out of it and a decision will be made by them."
Heffernan has been part of the team at Ballydoyle for many years and was winning the premier Classic at the 12th attempt, having twice been runner-up in it.
Heffernan was winning the Derby at the 12th attempt
He said: "I was following Ryan [Moore, on Sir Dragonet], who I thought was the biggest danger. It was a big ask for Sir Dragonet on his just his third run, but mine had danced every dance.
"I've been around plenty of Derby winners, I rode his father in a trial and won it. It means a lot to win it.
"I'm always confident riding for Aidan. Anything can happen, it doesn't matter whether they are favourite or a big price - he trains them all for the big day.
"I haven't had to take a pull going down to the two pole and wait for a run in a long time - I was confident I was going to get plenty of money."
Heffernan was laterchanded a two-day ban for careless riding.
The main British hopes, Bangkok and Telecaster, were both well beaten. They filled the last two places in the 13-runner field.
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