Winning jockey, Michale Kinane celebrates. Photograph: Udit Arora

In the 230th running of the Epsom Derby Sea The Stars became the first horse in twenty years to land the Investec Derby after also winning the 2,000 Guineas. The bookmaker’s morning favourite gave his  supporters little cause for concern as he struck the front and ran home strongly to win by more than a length to Fame And Glory.
With this triumph, Sea the Stars became the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to win both races.

Sea The Stars jockey, Michael Kinane, who will turn 50 in two weeks, was on his 21st ride in the Derby, having already won the Derby twice, in 2001 on Galileo and in 1993 on Commander in Chief. After the race he said: “He [Sea The Stars] was just finding it all so easy – he has that serious pace. He has so much class and that carries him through”.

The victory also gave trainer John Oxx his second Derby win following Sinndar’s win in 2000. Oxx said: “Actually I wasn’t very anxious at any time during the race because it was going so well. He (Sea The Stars) cruised down the hill and I could see Mick was waiting and when he sent him on he wouldn’t stop”. Oxx continued: “From a long way out I could see he was running well and it was a very stress-free race”.

Hong Kong-based Christopher Tsui, the owner of the horse, said that he had only arrived yesterday and that his mother was the true expert: "I arrived from Hong Kong yesterday and I am overwhelmed by it all. I don't really know what to say. I am 27 and run a nightclub in Hong Kong but that's just for fun”. The winning horse is a half-brother to former winner Galileo. Tsui added: “My mother makes all of the decisions - through the years she has made a lot of decisions on matings and has become a bit of an expert.”

As expected, the outcome of [this year’s Derby was dominated by Irish horses (link to Epsom preview article)]. “In recent years the Irish horses have been very dominant,” London-based professional gambler Carsten Teglgaard told The London File. “Especially Aidan O’Brian and the people around him in his famous stables have done a fantastic job,” Teglgaard said.

Aidan O’Brian did write a new page in the record book, when he saddled four of the first five home in the Derby. His horses took second, third, fourth and fifth; only missing first place in the sequence. Had the Derby been decided by proportional representation, O’Brian would have won a landslide victory.

Instead the Stewards fined O’Brian £840 (6 x £140) for bringing his horses into the parade ring too late. According to a press release the stewards took a dim view and reminded the trainer that the race had a worldwide audience. The Epsom Derby was seven minutes late starting.