There was no fairy-tale ending for the Queen at Epsom on Saturday, but quite a story panned out nonetheless. A riveting finish to the most prestigious race of the season saw fancied French horse Pour Moi bomb forward from the back of the field to pinch it on the line from 25/1 shot Treasure Beach, with the royal-owned Carlton House back in third. It was extremely harsh on second placed jockey Colm O’Donague, who had given his mount a flawless ride, but it was the winning jockey who stole the headlines with an outrageous celebration as he passed the winning post. Little known 19-year-old Frenchman Mickael Barzalona may have inspired a few bets simply for his name, but he put a terrifying amount of money in jeopardy by standing erect on his horse to punch the air as it drew up alongside Treasure Beach. Put it down to inexpeience, spontaneity or neurotic excitement, but the fact of the matter is that Barzalona won, and looks a superb young talent. Not many have the courage to take a ride so young in a race so important, but to win it with such style and panache marks out Barzalona from the rest. It reminded me of a certain Italian former champion jockey…
And what about the horse. Pour Moi had shown his fierce late burst in his previous run in France, but to come so wide and still gain the momentum to win the Derby surely confirms that he was the best horse in the race. The first five horses all ran stellar races, creating an enthralling contest. Treasure Beach was mightily unluckily under the aforementioned ride from O’Donaghue, while Carlton House came close but had to settle for minor honours. Fourth placed Memphis Tennesse was a brave leader for the race’s entirety, with youngster Joey O’Brien possibly trying to emulate Johnny Murtagh’s heroics from the Oaks the previous day, whose own mount Native Khan also ran well to claim a respectable fifth. All eyes turn to Royal Ascot now, where some of the luminaries from this race will surely be in action again. It promises to be five days of five star entertainment.
