EPSOM // Any dreams Godolphin harboured of a first Derby success for their blue silks were crushed yesterday by a brutally efficient performance from Workforce.
Even the track record, set by the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Lammtarra, who carried the silks of Saeed Maktoum Al Maktoum to victory in 1995, was smashed as the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt put in a power-packed run to win in a time of 2mins 31.33secs.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, Workforce registered an easy seven-length success from long-time pacemaker At First Sight and Mahmood al Zarooni's Rewilding. Al Zir, trained by bin Suroor, was sixth, while Buzzword, also trained by al Zarooni, was eighth.
The winner, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, had advertised his credentials in the Dante Stakes at York just over three weeks ago by finishing second to this afternoon's Prix Du Jockey Club entrant Cape Blanco.
No colt had ever gone on to win the Derby after defeat on the Knavesmire, but Workforce ridiculed any suggestion that his inexperience would be a barrier to success in a race which his trainer could already boast four wins.
"These wins get sweeter as time goes on," Stoute said afterwards. "It feels better every time. He showed he was a seriously good horse today."
And Stoute should know what a seriously good horse is, having sent Shergar out to an easy 10-length success in 1981. That win complemented his victories with Shahrastani in 1986, as well as Kris Kin and North Light in 2003 and 2004.
If Stoute has a history of success in the Derby, then for Moore it was a novelty. Two days ago, the 26-year-old had never managed to win a Classic, and after a victory in the Oaks on Friday aboard Snow Fairy, the champion jockey was pretty casual, simply stating afterwards, "It's not the Derby."
Moore certainly isn't the most loquacious character in the weighing room, and the cool temperament he displays in the saddle is what makes him reserved in other walks of life.
"To me it is the most important race," Moore said quietly after the biggest win of his career. "It's a special day and it's been really nice to get a good reception here."
It all looked so rosy for Godolphin earlier in the day when Frankie Dettori partnered the exciting Antara to victory in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes for bin Suroor.
Before this week, Godolphin's long-standing trainer had saddled just three winners since he returned from Dubai, but on racing's biggest stage, he showed off the sort of skills that made him a four-time champion trainer.
Antara, who had raced in Germany last year, had not seen a racecourse for 245 days but Dettori unleashed the four-year-old filly up the straight to what he thought was a facile victory.
It was not so easy, however, because in Reggane and rider Gerald Mosse, the Godolphin team had committed rivals, who flew in the final furlong.
"I was trying to keep my filly together," Dettori revealed. "I was never happy on her. I knew Gerald was coming but I thought 'just keep her balanced and get her to the line'.
"I gave her a backhander and I lost a bit of momentum so I had to push her out."
After a characteristic flying dismount, Dettori shouted to the crowd with exuberance: "I want to be back here in an hour and 15 minutes!"
Dettori may have been beaten later in the Derby on Rewilding, but he was unbowed, and as is a jockey's wont, he was dreaming of the future and the St Leger in September.
"It was a great run," said the Italian, who was beaten last year in the final Classic of the season on Kite Wood by stablemate Mastery. "He did not have the gears to go with the winner but stayed on well. He's a lovely one for Doncaster."
@Email:sports@thenational.ae
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
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Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press