A horse owned by a collection of footballers, including James Milner, Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck, has won at Epsom Downs.
Hugo Palmer’s four-year-old, Seagulls Eleven, came through as a 5-2 favourite in the Group Three event.
Oisin Murphy ran Palmer’s horse close in the early stages alongside Boiling Point as they made it round Tattenham Corner.
Entering the main straight, Seagulls Eleven edged out in front, winning the race for Palmer.
Reacting to the win, Palmer said: “I thought we were done, I must admit. Luckily, he put his head down where it mattered.
“He’s so tough, him and Oisin get on very well, and he said he’s a pleasure to ride these days after all the difficulties earlier in his career. Now it’s exuberance, and he’s having fun.
“I did think Persica was going better, but we’ve probably outstayed him.
“Oisin said he’d get 10 furlongs stood on his head.”
Seagulls Eleven raced home to victory at Epsom
|
PA
He added: “He ran some big races as a two-year-old, and I thought he’d run a big race in the Guineas, but it was all too much for him.
“I think what we have learned is a small field suits him. With that in mind we could go for the Sussex Stakes, but that will be the hottest small field of the season!
“Races like the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the Summer Mile at Ascot will be on his agenda.”
Aidan O’Brien is eyeing up his 12th Derby Victory on Saturday, referring to the upcoming race as the “ultimate test”.
Hugo Palmer’s four-year-old came through as a 5-2 favourite
|
PA
He said:”Epsom is the ultimate test in every way. It tests them mentally, physically, left and right.
“There is no second to Epsom anywhere in the world, the test it is because of the contour of the track, the atmosphere and the strain.
“Someone asked me what is the best Derby winner we’ve had and I would say Galileo, who proved to be one of the greatest stallions ever after it – that is what that place does.
“It’s very tough on horses, but you will get the blood you really want going forward usually.”
Aidan O’Brien is eyeing up his 12th Derby win
|
PA
He continued: “It’s a unique place and that is why the Derby is what it is. It engages the whole thoroughbred breed and tests them in every way.
“There is no other race or track anywhere in the world that can do it like that.
“There is nowhere to hide. You have to have pace, ability, you have to stay, and you have to be like concrete mentally. All the things are tested.”
