Weekend Review: Desert Crown storms to victory in the Derby as racing remembers Lester Piggott
Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt takes Epsom Classic at 5/2, while Wales edge past Ukraine to book their place at World Cup
On a day when horseracing paid tribute to nine-time Derby winner Lester Piggott, jockey Richard Kingscote produced a fitting ride aboard Desert Crown to land the famous race on Epsom Downs.
The three-year-old justified being the 5/2 favourite by sweeping clear two furlongs out to take British flat racing’s most high-profile Classic in emphatic fashion by two-and-a-half lengths.
The victory gave septuagenarian trainer Sir Michael Stoute his sixth Derby winner of his long career.
The places were filled by outsiders Hoo Ya Mal at 150/1 in second and Westover, a 25/1 shot, in third. For those who backed four places, Masekela at 66/1 rounded out the quartet as many of the leading players struggled.
The previous day, there was a much tighter conclusion to the fillies race, the Oaks, as 13/2-shot Tuesday, ridden by Ryan Moore, narrowly held off the fast-finishing 6/4-favourite Emily Upjohn to take the race by a photo finish.
The bookies dodged a bullet because if it hadn’t been for a stumble at the start, Frankie Dettori-ridden Emily Upjohn may well have got the better of Tuesday in the final few yards.
Alan Firkins of Betfred said: “[There was] relief all round on Friday as Frankie narrowly failed to land the Oaks on hot-pot Emily Upjohn, but 24 hours later it was an entirely different story as Desert Crown sauntered to victory in the Cazoo Derby.
“Fred [Done] pushed the Sir Michael Stoute-trained jolly out to 11/4 on Saturday morning and to say it proved popular would be an understatement.”
Firkins added: “The race this year commemorated the late great Lester Piggott, and there was more than a touch of Sir Ivor and Nijinsky about the way this strapping son of Nathaniel delivered.”
Betfred has Desert Storm chalked up at 11/4 to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris this October and he “looks every inch a superstar in the making”, according to Firkins.
"ITS ALL OVER!" 😮
DESERT CROWN is an INSANELY impressive winner of the @CazooUK Derby for @RKingscote and Sir Michael Stoute 🙌#CazooDerby pic.twitter.com/TUcyUkUMzT
— Epsom Downs Racecourse (@EpsomRacecourse) June 4, 2022
Janis Strauts, head of trading for Virgin Bet, said turnover levels were “good” on the Friday and that “some big priced winners meant a profitable day”.
On Desert Crown’s performance, Strauts reflected: “His jockey, Richard Kingscote, had him in the perfect position travelling well and quickened clear in impressive fashion to win easily, giving the jockey the biggest win of his career.
“Business was good but the results were not as favourable as Friday, meaning a losing day. Sunday was low key in terms of quality but again we enjoyed good turnover and results for another profitable day.”
On the football front, they were celebrating from Abergavenny to Wexham on Sunday night as Wales secured their place at the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
At a rain-lashed Cardiff City Stadium, Wales took the lead against the run of play in the first half after Ukraine’s Andriy Yarmolenko headed into his own net after a free-kick from Gareth Bale.
Wales, 8/5-shots to win in 90 minutes, managed to hold on for a 1-0 victory despite late pressure in the tricky conditions and book their spot at Qatar this November.
Outsiders at 150/1 to win the tournament in the outright market, Wales find themselves in Group B alongside England, USA and Iran.
Wales’ 64 year wait for a World Cup is over!!🏴
Just look at the full-time scenes. Pure euphoria.pic.twitter.com/AnjREMknDR
— COPA90 (@Copa90) June 5, 2022
Elsewhere, England (1/2) fluffed their lines in Hungary as Gareth Southgate’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Nations League.
Meanwhile, Germany and Italy played out a 1-1 draw, while Spain only managed a 2-2 draw with Czech Republic and Portugal (4/7) brushed Switzerland aside in a 4-0 win.
Kindred’s Ali Gill said: “England kicked off this renewal of the Nations League with a shock 1-0 loss to Hungary in a result which was obviously ideal for the book.
“Italy and Germany playing out a 1-1 draw was another result which left us well in the black, with Sweden’s loss to Norway one which hit us hardest overall in terms of a negative finish.”
Finally, Rafa Nadal proved once again – if it were needed – that he really is the king of clay after claiming his 14th French Open title in a three-sets win over Casper Ruud.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who was 1/6 to take the final at Roland Garros, has now amassed 22 Grand Slam titles.
Rafa-Garros 🇪🇸🏆 pic.twitter.com/0iC9GYREvt
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2022
Despite a foot problem, Nadal has also only ever lost three times at Roland Garros since making his debut in Paris back in 2005.
Gill concluded: “Rafa Nadal once again reigned supreme at the French Open, his straight sets win over Casper Ruud a result which left us just marginally in the black, as was the result in the outright market.”