Anthony Van Dyck provided top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record-equalling seventh victory in the 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.
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.
O’Brien said: “It’s incredible. I’m so delighted for everyone and privileged to be part of the team.
“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.
“We were just hoping and so delighted to be involved at that part of the race.”
