It was supposed to be all about 2,000 Guineas hero Saxon Warrior but it was Craven Stakes winner Masar – who raced next to the Ballydoyle colt for much of the journey – who took out the Investec Derby to give the Godolphin team a long-awaited first success in the race in their famous blue silks.

Masar, who was third to Aidan O’Brien’s colt at Newmarket, was settled in behind as Kew Gardens, The Pentagon and finally Knight To Behold took it in turns to set a fearsome pace.

Hard-luck stories at Epsom are commonplace. It was just that for Saxon Warrior, who hit a wall of traffic as Masar travelled best under William Buick towards the stands’ side and strode clear to win by a length and a half at 16-1.
Dee Ex Bee stuck on gallantly for second at 20-1 with Roaring Lion third at 6-1.

A delighted Buick explained: “I’m not going to explain myself very well now but this is huge – massive. He stayed the trip, travelled beautifully today and the Guineas didn’t happen for him. The team believed and I’m very pleased. This is everything.”

Trainer Charlie Appleby exclaimed: “It still hasn’t sunk in yet! I’m delighted for Sheikh Mohammed, firstly for giving me the position to be here and I’ve always said that all I want to do is be the first person to have a Derby winner in Godolphin blue.”

Paddy Power made Masar 6-1 for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot next month and 10-1 for the Arc at Longchamp.

Shiekh Mohammed, who cited his daughter’s presence as the reason for his luck, said: “It’s not easy to win the Derby. Charlie is a very good trainer and the horse came from Dubai!

He concluded: “I’m very happy. Horses are in my blood. I love horses, and I love racing.”

Of the beaten horses, Oisin Murphy was delighted with his Dante-winning mount Roaring Lion, who was well supported before the off, and he said: “It was a massive run. The race went to plan. He just doesn’t stay a mile and a half on that ground, but he behaved very well and is a very exciting horse going forward.”

Courtesy of racingpost.com

FULL DERBY FINISHING ORDER:
1ST MASAR (Charlie Appleby/William Buick/Godolphin) 16-1
2nd DEE EX BEE (Mark Johnston/Silvestre de Sousa/Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed) 20-1
3rd ROARING LION (John Gosden/Oisin Murphy/Qatar Racing) 6-1

4. Saxon Warrior 4-5f
5. Hazapour 12-1
6. Delano Roosevelt 16-1
7. Young Rascal 17-2
8. The Pentagon 33-1
9. Kew Gardens 16-1
10. Sevenna Star 50-1
11. Knight To Behold 14-1
12. Zabriskie 66-1