03/06/2023
UK
Epsom
Derby Stakes Day
Impressive Epsom Derby runner-up King of Steel wins Moment of the Day
There were plenty of surprises ahead of and during the 244th running of the Epsom Derby but victory for KING OF STEEL, who jumped off as a 90/1 outsider on World Pool, would surely have been one of the biggest.
Yet as Roger Varian’s imposing son of Wootton Bassett threaded a passage between the Frankie Dettori-ridden Arrest and Dubai Mile to hit the front entering the final 400 metres, kicking two-lengths clear in the hands of Kevin Stott, it looked as though he may have stolen the race.
It wasn’t quite to be though, as he was run down in the final strides by the Aidan O’Brien-trained AUGUSTE RODIN, who provided his legendary trainer with a ninth winner in the race.
AUGUSTE RODIN, notable for being the final son of Deep Impact to make the track, recorded a first win in the Epsom Classic for the superstar Japanese stallion, who died in 2019.
However, it was the particularly impressive performance from KING OF STEEL, who was making only his third career start, having been withdrawn at the start in the Dante at York on his intended re-appearance, that was one deemed worthy of receiving the World Pool Moment of the Day prize.
Brian Finch, Chairman of Epsom Racecourse, collected the cheque for £4,000 on behalf of KING OF STEEL’s groom, Beth Dixon.
“I think for a few moments they thought they had it there, and they were beaten by a really, really smart colt in Auguste Rodin,” Finch said.
“King Of Steel looked magnificent. They should be excited with what they have with him.”
Dixon also now gains entry into the World Pool Moment of the Year competition for the chance to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong.
Elsewhere on the card, World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori signed off on his final ride at Epsom in style, winning the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes aboard the Ralph Beckett-trained PROSPEROUS VOYAGE.
TATTERSTALL, winner of the Aston Martin 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap, provided a notable overpay for World Pool backers, returning at odds of 14/1 compared to an SP of 8/1.
