At 66-1, Dragon Dancer was getting the better of Dylan Thomas. Hala Bek
looked menacing for a moment until Phil Robinson, the rider, found the
horse unable to keep a straight course. Visindar was laboring and his
supporters were reconciling themselves to a possible defeat. Martin
Dwyer’s only hope was to get through along the rail as the winning post
loomed large. In a display of riding skill marked by precision and
impeccable timing, Dwyer took Sir Percy along the fence. It was a
blanket finish. The magic eye revealed that Sir Percy had won by a short
head. It was a head back to third for Dylan Thomas. Hala Bek was another
head away in fourth. Visindar was two lengths off in fifth.
Sir Percy was 7-1 and there was steady support for him the entire
afternoon. Dylan Thomas was 25-1. Hala Bek, making only his second
career start, was surprisingly low at 17-2. Visindar was 11-4 but you
could get 3-1 if you walked up and down the undulating betting area.
“I was disappointed not winning the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. I always
believed in Sir Percy. I give (trainer) Marcus Tregoning all the credit
for bringing this colt along and setting him right after the 2,000
Guineas, “ Dwyer said at the presentation. He did not attend the press
conference because he had a ride in the race following the Derby.
Marcus Tregoning said at the press meeting, “Martin gave our colt a
great ride. I knew Sir Percy had it in him.”
I asked the owners, Victoria and Anthony Pakenham, if their victory,
taken with Motivator’s win in 2005, meant that the Magniers, the Tabors
and the Sheikhs are giving way to ‘regular’ owners. Victoria Pakenham
responded, “may be so. It’s fantastic. I cannot believe we have won the
Derby.”
After the 2,000 Guineas, Sir Percy had a pulled muscle that had put his
Derby start in jeopardy. After considerable care and meticulous
veterinary attention, things began to change. A gallop at Lingfield
early Derby week convinced Dwyer and Tregoning that the colt was ready.
Marcus Tregoning paid tribute to the entire team that had looked after
Sir Percy.
Riding at Bath in an evening card on Friday. Martin Dwyer was thrown off
the saddle and hurt his ribs. The doctors at Epsom Downs had to examine
and clear him to ride in the Derby.
Sir Percy is by Mark of Esteem whose two notable wins came in the 2,000
Guineas and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Mark Of Esteem’s sire is
Darshaan. Sir Percy’s mother is Percy Lass whose sire is Blakeney. Sir
Percy was four for four as a freshman. He beat Horation Nelson in the
Dewhurst Stakes. In his sophomore debut, he was runner-up to George
Washington in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.
Christophe Soumillon said that he was repeatedly bumped in the early
stages and that Visindar never found his rhythm.
Horatio Nelson, a backmarker for the most part, was on the move in the
stretch when he broke one of his front legs and Fallon dismounted. The
colt was put down soon after.
Martin Dwyer has now won the Derby. He won the Oaks in 2003 with Casual
Look. He has to be good. After all, he won the Indian Turf Invitation
Cup in 2003 with Zurbaran.
