Location Epsom Downs Racecourse Winning horse Australia Jockey Joseph O'Brien | Date 7 June 2014 SP 11/8 Trainer Aidan O'Brien | |
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The 2014 Epsom Derby (known as the Investec Derby for sponsorship reasons) was the 235th annual running of the Derby horse race which took place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 7 June 2014. The race was won by the favourite, Australia, a British-bred chestnut, trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by O'Brien's son Joseph. Australia's victory gave Aidan O'Brien his third consecutive victory in the race, and his fifth in all, after Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012) and Ruler of the World (2013).
Contents
Race synopsis
The initial entry for the 2014 Epsom Derby, announced in December 2012, consisted of 406 yearlings. The number of entries was 32 fewer than for the 2013 race and included 68 from Godolphin Racing and 56 from the partners of the Coolmore Stud. The number of potential runners was reduced to 118 at the first scratching date in March 2014, and subsequently increased to 133 when a further 15 horses were entered at the second entry stage in April 2014. The field for the Derby began to take its final shape at the May scratching deadline when 27 runners were left in the race, and the final confirmation stage on 2 June saw the final field settled at 17 runners with 11 further withdrawals and the additional entry of Romsdal at a cost of £75,000. Snow Sky was withdrawn at the declaration stage on 5 June, leaving 16 runners to contest the 2014 Derby.
On 7 June, 100,000 spectators including the Queen were in attendance at Epsom for the 235th running of the Derby. After heavy rain in the morning, the race was run in fine weather and the going was officially described as "good". Australia started 11/8 favourite ahead of Kingston Hill (15/2) and True Story (8/1). The O'Brien stable's other contenders were Geoffrey Chaucer, Orchestra (winner of the Chester Vase) and Kingfisher (Dee Stakes). Ireland was also represented by the John Oxx-trained Ebanoran and the Dermot Weld-trained Fascinating Rock who had filled the first two places in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. John Gosden saddled two runners: Western Hymn (Sandown Classic Trial) and Romsdal, whilst the Peter Chapple-Hyam stable was represented by Arod. The 50/1 outsider Our Channel took the early lead and set a strong pace from Kingfisher, with Kingston Hill next. Soon after the turn into the straight Kingston Hill went to the front as Australia made rapid progress on the outside. Australia took the lead approaching the final furlong and held off the renewed challenge of Kingston Hill to win by one and a quarter lengths. Romsdal finished third ahead of Arod and the 100/1 outsider Red Galileo.
After the race, Aidan O'Brien said: "A long time ago we thought he was very special, we wanted to be here with him, but you can never be sure because there are so many variables. Things can go wrong so big credit to everyone at home". Joseph O'Brien commented, "horses don't come any easier to ride than this one. He's the best." Roger Varian, trainer of Kingston Hill, expressed his belief that his horse might take on Australia again, saying "The winner is very good and the Guineas form has stood up. I knew how tough my horse is and I was very confident he’d get the trip so I’m hoarse from cheering him. I knew he’d go down fighting. We’ll see what paths we both go down now and they could meet again.”
Race details
Full result
* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths or shorter; hd = head.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
Winner details
Further details of the winner, :
Two-year-old races
Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 2013
The road to Epsom
Early-season appearances in 2014 and trial races prior to running in the Derby:
Subsequent Group 1 wins
Group 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby: