Epsom Derby - 2007

If there was ever a day Frankie Dettori was to ride a Derby winner, this was it. Loaded with press-interviews and peer pressure in the weeks leading upto this it must have made life very difficult to both Dettori and Peter Chapple-Hyam who both handled the media like real professionals. It is very rare to see a trainer so open about his horses, which is always great to see.

Authorized caused somewhat of a shock when winning the RP Trophy last year at large odds, but he followed that success up with a clear cut and easy success in the Dante at York. This task was very different though, for he had to face an eight-strong battalion from the powerful Aidan O’Brien stable, which could have brought the race into a titanic tactical battle. With last year’s classic juvenile Teofilo ruled a non-runner ever since missing the Guineas it was time for another star to take centre stage, and after York it was Authorized.

The preliminaries went well for both horse and jockey, and despite a drift in the betting market Authorized was sent off favourite. The Montjeu colt now had his chance to prove his trainers faith in his ability. Authorized also had the chance to make history, a chance to give Dettori his first ever Derby victory, a chance to finally put racing back in the limelight for the good reasons instead of the bad. That chance had now been left with both Dettori and Authorized to go out and prove it.

Slowest out the stalls he jinked slightly right upto leaving, and he was stone last in the early part. Dettori didn’t rush him though and gradually made up the ground before settling him midfield. Dettori gradually moved him further closer to the lead and he turned into the straight in ninth or tenth. Still hard on the bridle he moved effortlessly down the outside to join the party two furlongs from home before being ridden away under hands and heels riding before getting a couple of cracks of the whip just to keep him upto the gallop.

He put up an outstanding performance and many people afterwards had said that performance had reminded them of Shergar all those years ago. He definitely has the class to trouble the older horses later in the season, and his next initial target is the Coral Eclipse.

You can back him at 4/5 with Coral.