As the 2022 Cazoo Derby (G1) is named in honor of Lester Piggott, we yearn for a great winner to complement the greatest rider. We also have an undefeated Desert Crown sprinkle stardust on the famous Epsom Downs June 4 to give coach Sir Michael Stoute his sixth win in the most coveted classic of them all.
It’s quite emphatic, certainly more decisive than the suggested 2nd half win rate, as the undefeated son of Nathaniel Instantly quick from a supposedly well-prepared Derby for pre-construction.
Twelve years have passed since Stoute’s last Derby winner and we’re starting to wonder if Workforce could be his last. However, when Desert Crown proved his inexperience to win the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2) in York last month, he made us think the legendary 76-year-old coach This may have just found someone else.
However, there’s still the nagging doubt in our minds that his lack of experience can keep him out of the biggest stage after just two starts. We don’t need to worry. He answers each and every one of his questions and, boy, would we love to hear those answers.
Video
“We were very hopeful after York that he could win the Derby. But you know, the performance excites me because he’s won a long way. He has a mind. good,” Stoute said afterwards.
A good mind plus a good motive equals a very good pony. Perhaps even a great one, but only time will tell if he continues to be as good as some of Stoute’s previous winners like Shahrastani, and dare we even say Shergar are not.
Stoute said of the performance: “I was very pleased with where he was at the top of the hill. He was a good runner and he floated down the hill. It was a great thrill. All the same (Derby won) It is fun to train good horses and fortunately we came across another good horse.
“In the early stages, he had a little laugh and that’s why he didn’t run until the end of last year. It’s nothing serious, but he’s maturing and developing.”
The Desert Crown has truly evolved into something very special.
Asked if he thinks the prospect of his sixth Derby win might have gone up in the air, Stoute replied: “I don’t know. Well, you realize that when the time comes. with the passage of time your chances decrease. I haven’t sat down and thought about it for years. year after year, but it’s been a lot of years hasn’t it?”
“IT’S DONE!” DESERT CROWN is the GREATly impressive winner of the competition @CazooUK Derby for @RKingscote and Sir Michael Stoute#CazooDerby pic.twitter.com/TUcyUkUMzT – Epsom Downs Racecourse (@EpsomRacecourse) June 4, 2022 Richard Kingscote, on whom Stoute places so much faith, is the best customer in this place. He won the Derby, but you would think two Mars bars popped up from a vending machine instead of just the one he paid for. He looks like he was born for such a big day. The winning jockey said: “Everybody thinks you have to do something spectacular, but I think at the end of the day and as Mr McCoy always says, the horse does most of the work and I’m just lucky enough to get on board. ship. him.” Stoute’s record now ranks with the greats of Derby, not only in terms of six-time race wins but also with dominant performances by some of his Epsom heroes, going back to the great Shergar, who beat the race in 1981. “Sir Michael and the owner had to be very brave to stick with me during the Derby, so I am very grateful to them for supporting me and letting me ride a very good horse. “I’m not a championship cyclist. I’m not Ryan Moore. I’ve had a good career, but I haven’t had a brilliant career. I think it takes a lot for them not to look elsewhere. .” Kingscote deflected all praise for the Desert Crown, saying: “He’s a little more impressive today than he was at Dante. He was more alert during the race. Everything I asked for in Dante. I got him right away. In York, it took me a while to get him in. He’s much more sober today. He has gears. “Every time I sit in him he is so calm and today was no exception. I can’t fault him at all. He started and the fireworks went off, but he was fine. He He is a lovely driver. “I get goose bumps when you realize (you’ve won the Derby), but at the poles it’s over. I think it’s fun that my kids can come. I’m a bit worried they’ll come because because it changes my routine, but my wife wants to be here and I’m glad it all does.” The winner wasn’t a surprise, but the second and third certainly did like shooting 150-1 Hoo Ya Mal second and Westover third with a score of 25-1. Run first Change protection did the best of the Ballydoyle brigade in fifth place, but this was a Derby that didn’t go to Aidan O’Brien but to Stoute instead. The biggest event is complemented by a great winner.
