'Unique' Auguste Rodin (9-2) bounced back from his first Classic disappointment to land a superb victory in the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday afternoon.
Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old, under Ryan Moore, had disappointed badly when last of 14 behind Chaldean in last month's QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. But stepped up to middle distances for the first time, the son of Deep Impact lived up to his juvenile star billing to grab the Classic. Having been touted as a Triple Crown contender following his impressive victory as a two-year-old in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last October, he was a massive disappointment at Headquarters. But like stable-mate Little Big Bear, who also bombed out over the mile at Newmarket before impressing back sprinting with victory in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock Park last weekend, Auguste Rodin got his career back on track. Now all the top middle distance races are in his sights with the likes of Irish Derby on July 1 and next month's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot possible next targets.
The Coolmore-owned colt was always travelling well under Moore in the middle of the field as stable-mates San Antonio – a winner of the Dee Stakes at Chester's May Festival – and Adelaide River made the running. Frankie Dettori, in his final Derby ride, was third on Arrest and Sir Michael Stoute's Passenger not far off the pace. The first to make a bid for victory was Kevin Stott aboard the 66-1 outsider King Of Steel as they turned for home around Tattenham Corner just after security had collared an animal rights protestor who had got on further up the track. Roger Varian's colt, who had only run twice previously winning a Nottingham maiden as a juvenile, made a bold bid for a shock success as he moved clear of the field. But Moore brought Auguste Rodin with a perfectly-timed run – just as he had when winning the opener on Derby day with Regal Reality. He eventually gathered the leader in and scored by half-a-length with Dante Stakes runner-up White Birch (12-1) a further four-and-a-half-lengths back in third with Jessica Harrington's Sprewell (14-1) with a length-and-three-quarters further adrift in fourth.
