Jockey McNamara joked “I was saving myself” after the race, the 30-year-old last tasted success in October 2019 and few experts gave the 25-1 shot much chance of glory at Derby. English King (winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial), Kameko, Vatican City (2nd in Irish 2000 Guineas), Russian Emperor and Mogul (Juvenile Stakes) were among the favourites over the one mile, four furlongs and 6 yards race but the trailing pack left it too late, and it was a devastating victory for the outsider.
Taking a devastating early lead, Serpentine ran clear of the pack, and at the five furlongs stage, he was a full twelve lengths of his nearest rival. Despite slowing in the last quarter mile, the lead by then was so large that the win was never in doubt and Serpentine won by five and a half lengths from Khalifa Sat with Amhran Na Bhfiann taking third place. Although this race will always be remembered as an upset, Serpentine’s pedigree was an indicator of a champion in the making. He was sired by Galileo, who won the Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and was one of the world’s leading stallions.
With this win, his father’s heritage looks in safe hands and O’Brien paid tribute to the horse, saying: “He always had the Derby pedigree. He took a bit of time to come last year and just had the one run. Then this year he had his first run at the Curragh over a mile and a quarter and was hemmed in and couldn’t get out. But he won very impressively last week. There was no doubt with his performance the last day he had to take a chance”.
O’Brien’s Love completed a double for the trainer by winning the Epsom Oaks. Winner of the 1000 Guineas last month, Love set a conservative pace early on, allowing stablemate Passion and outsider Tiempo Vuela to take the lead until the home turn. At three furlongs out she made her move with second-favourite Frankly Darling attempted to match her pace. Love sprinted clear in the final quarter-mile and finished the race nine lengths clear ahead of Ennistymon with Frankly Darling well beaten in third.
