Serpentine wins the Epsom Derby 2020
Serpentine has won the Epsom Derby 2020 in spectacular style with 5 and a half lengths clear from the rest of the field.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has now become the first trainer to with the race eight times, Serpentine who was 25-1 was ridden to victory by Emmet McNamara.
McNamara rode Serpentine out in front all the way to the line, with the rest of the field left to realise that they did not have the stamina or ability to catch up. Speaking after the Epsom Derby race McNamara said “I didn’t expect to be sitting here. The only thing I would say in that regard is that Aidan O’Brien filled me with a huge amount of confidence, so it’s not a complete surprise. When that man tells you something about a horse, if he tells you that the sky is green, you’d believe him. I thought I was after getting quite an easy lead. I never looked behind me, but I couldn’t hear a thing behind me. He was in a nice rhythm and I knew I wasn’t after going a million miles an hour, so I was imagining they were ignoring me a small bit. That’s what makes it feel even more surreal – the empty stands, didn’t hear a horse – I feel like I’m going to wake up after just riding a bit of work or something – it’s a bit unbelievable. I was lucky I got on the horse – there’s a thousand other lads in that weighing room that are far more talented than me, but they didn’t ride Serpentine in the Derby today. I hope my poor old Dad isn’t after dying of a heart attack. He was extremely proud of me riding in the race today, having spoken to him about 40 times in the past 24 hours – he was on the phone about this that and the other. I’m sure all my family are roaring the house down.”
Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who watched the race on television from Tipparary “Obviously we’re absolutely delighted. We try and give every horse the best chance of winning and there were two horses which were going to get the trip very well. We were very happy to go forward with him if no one else was. I was very comfortable he wasn’t going to stop. Emmet gave him a brilliant ride.”
From the The Horse Exchange Team – Congratulations!