The Epsom Derby provided a 1-2 for the all-conquering O’Brien stable but things didn’t turn out as predicted as 40/1 winner Wings Of Eagles stunned the large crowd by getting up in the final strides to foil better backed stable companion Cliffs Of Moher.
Australian punters will be familiar with the winning jockey Padraig Beggy who fell foul of the authorities in New South Wales when testing positive for cocaine in 2014.
Returning to Ireland, he was given a second chance by Aidan O’Brien who today described him as ‘a world class rider’. Beggy has had relatively few chances but he took his chance well today, holding up the son of Pour Moi, himself a former Derby winner, for a late run.
O’Brien seemed as surprised as the rest of the Epsom crowd by the result. ‘I don’t know what happened’ he joked afterwards when asked what he’d thought of the race. O’Brien also commented that he was very much looking forward to seeing the runner-up race again saying of his run ‘He got there but just got tired’.
It was a first win in the race for Coolmore stallion Pour Moi, winner of the Derby in 2011.