Superb Derby Second For Jack Hobbs

Jack Hobbs announced himself as one of Europe's top three-year-old colts with a fine second in the Group One Investec Derby at Epsom Downs, UK, on Saturday, June 6.

Making only his fourth start, the John Gosden-trained three-year-old broke smartly for William Buick and soon settled in fifth in Britain's premier Classic as Elm Park and then Hans Holbein set a searching gallop for the 12 runners.

Jack Hobbs still held fifth rounding Tattenham Corner before quickening strongly to deliver his challenge approaching the final quarter-mile.

The son of Halling swooped to take the lead with a furlong and a half to race but was headed at the distance by Golden Horn, also trained by John Gosden.

Jack Hobbs was slightly impeded as Golden Horn drifted left towards the far rail with 100 yards left and stayed on bravely to go down by three and a half lengths.

Golden Horn won on good to firm turf in 2m 32.32s for the 12 furlongs and 10 yards, the third fastest Derby ever after Workforce and Lammtarra, with Storm The Stars staying on in third, four and a half lengths further in arrears.

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed who is the founder and driving force behind Godolphin, was delighted with the performance of Jack Hobbs.

Godolphin bought into Jack Hobbs after the three-year-old colt finished second to stable companion Golden Horn in the Dante Stakes at York last month.

Today the two horses came first and second again in the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs.

John Ferguson said: "We were absolutely delighted with the performance of Jack Hobbs. It was only the fourth race of his life and to run like that at Epsom was a fantastic achievement. We are thrilled to bits.

"As we said when we bought into the partnership, it is all about the future. All today has done is told us that the future is really exciting because the Dante form has held up so well.

"The Derby has been run the way we thought it was going to be run. His pedigree makes him even more exciting because he can become a globe-trotter.

"Jack Hobbs is going to get better and his physique suggests he will be a horse who just continues to improve. And you don't need to improve much on that.

"Fundamentally, Jack Hobbs is a very good horse. William jumped off and just said this is some horse. The Irish Derby is the likely target if he comes out of this race all right.

"We left to the decision to take part or not to John and I just got a phone call at lunchtime that Jack Hobbs was running. John pulled Romsdal out of the Coronation Cup because that horse had been tried on this sort of ground before and it had been too quick for him."

William Buick added: "I was very proud of Jack Hobbs - he ran a great race.

"It has all come very quickly for Jack Hobbs and he will be a lovely horse in time. The first and second are both lovely horses. On the day, the winner was just better but we ran very well.

"It was a smooth race to ride in. Jack Hobbs came there with a good chance and he ran his heart out. You would have to look forward to him for the rest of his career. He will be a nice horse.

"Golden Horn was the only horse I could see coming. I knew when I pressed the button Frankie (Dettori) would be on my tail.

"It was a great race, a great race to be involved in, a great race to watch and I am very happy for John Gosden. It is an unbelievable feat for him to saddle the first two and I am far from disappointed to be second."