A.E. Pakenham’s SIR PERCY (Mark of Esteem [Ire]) closed furiously up the
rail to snare victory in Saturday’s Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) in a blanket four-horse
finish. Trainer Marcus Tregoning and jockey Martin Dwyer were recording
their first success in the historic Blue Riband, but their charge’s dramatic
late thrust was overshadowed by the fatal breakdown of the Aidan O’Brien-trained
Horatio Nelson (Danehill), who fractured his left front leg in the straight and was
euthanized.
Sir Percy’s swashbuckling acceleration on the inside was reminiscent of his
male-line great grandsire, Shirley Heights, who delivered a similar charge to
garner Derby glory by a head in 1978. Dwyer reserved the winner well off the
slow early pace. Dylan Thomas (Danehill) took over as pacesetter after
three-eighths, with Dragon Dancer
(Sadler’s Wells) closely tracking. Horatio Nelson raced among the group just
behind the leading flight, while 2-1 favorite Visindar (Sinndar) traveled
comfortably farther back. The tempo remained steady, and the order changed
little until the top of the stretch. Dylan Thomas and Dragon Dancer quickened on
the front, and Visindar and Hala Bek (Halling) began to gain ground as a team
and separated themselves from the pack.
Hala Bek quickly left Visindar struggling in his wake as he surged toward the
leading pair and looked as if he would pass them by, but the inexperienced colt,
making only his second career start, suddenly swerved to the right and cost
himself precious ground. Dragon Dancer, still a maiden, had by this time edged
ahead of a stubborn Dylan Thomas, and a shocking result seemed to be in the offing.
Sir Percy was just unleashing his explosive turn of foot, however, and was
gaining with every stride as they approached the wire. The quartet flashed past
the line nearly abreast. As the photo revealed, Sir Percy landed the prize by a
short head, with Dragon Dancer a head in front of Dylan Thomas, who had a short
head to spare over the unlucky Hala Bek. The winning time for the about
12-furlong classic on good to firm ground was 2:35 1/5.
“Everyone has done a great job with him at home — my vet, physiotherapist
and all the staff,” Tregoning told the PA Sport, alluding to the fact that Sir
Percy had been jarred by the firm ground during his runner-up effort in the May
6 English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) and exited the race with sore muscles. “I have
to thank Sheikh Hamdan for this as he has allowed me to train the horse on his
gallops, and he has been really interested in all the work he has done.”
Visindar wound up fifth, followed by Best Alibi (King’s Best), Sixties Icon
(Galileo [Ire]), Mountain (Montjeu [Ire]), Linda’s Lad (Sadler’s Wells), Papal
Bull (Montjeu [Ire]), Championship Point (Lomitas [GB]), Septimus (Sadler’s
Wells), Before You Go (Sadler’s Wells), Sienna Storm (Peintre Celebre), Atlantic
Waves (Sadler’s Wells), Snoqualmie Boy (Montjeu [Ire]) and Noddies Way (Nomadic
Way).
Horatio Nelson, the 11-2 second favorite, broke down catastrophically in
upper stretch and was pulled up by Kieren Fallon. The tragedy had been
foreshadowed just moments before the race, near the starting gate, when the
ill-fated colt had been examined by O’Brien as well as a track veterinarian, who
believed that he was good to go.
“The veterinary surgeon and the trainer agreed that they were satisfied that
Horatio Nelson was fit to compete,” a statement from the Horseracing Regulatory
Authority said. “Following the race, the horse was taken to the veterinary
treatment center and several X-rays were taken of the injured leg. They revealed
that Horatio Nelson had suffered fractures of the cannon and sesamoid bones and
a dislocation of the fetlock joint. Sadly, the injuries were considered too
severe to be repaired, and the horse has therefore been euthanized.”
Thus was the equine Horatio Nelson killed in action, sharing the fate of his
illustrious namesake, Lord Nelson, killed in action at Trafalgar.
Sir Percy was ranked as England’s top juvenile last year principally because
he defeated Horatio Nelson by a neck in the Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1), following an
earlier score in the Vintage S. (G2). He did not race again until his smart
second to the impressive George Washington (Danehill) in the Guineas, his sole
career defeat from six starts.
Bred in England by The Old Suffolk Stud, the Derby hero is out of Group 3
winner Percy’s Lass (Blakeney). This is the family of a number of top-class
performers, including 1983 Derby winner Teenoso (Youth), honored as champion
older horse in England and France in 1984.