William Buick powered Masar to glory in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday, giving Godolphin a cherished win in the premier Classic.
Charlie Appleby’s colt hit the front in the home straight while favourite Saxon Warrior was struggling to get running room and Masar charged all the way to the winning line.
He repelled final challenges from Chester Vase runner-up Dee Ex Bee and York’s Dante hero Roaring Lion to win by a length and a half, with Ryan Moore and Saxon Warrior forced to settle for fourth spot, despite staying on late in the piece.
Masar was sent off favourite for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month but could only finish third as Aidan O’Brien’s Saxon Warrior triumphed on the Rowley Mile.
It was a different story at Epsom as he delivered maiden Derby wins for Buick, Appleby and Godolphin powerbroker Sheikh Mohammed.
Masar, a son of 2008 Derby winner New Approach, is the first Derby winner to carry the royal blue silks of Sheikh Mohammed’s operation and he was delighted.
“It’s not easy to win the Derby, but we have won it. We are pleased to be here today. Charlie Appleby is a very good trainer and the horse came from Dubai,” he said.
“I was jumping up and down in the final furlong. Horses are in my blood, I love them.” For Newmarket-based trainer Appleby it was a feeling of real pride at being the trainer to finally deliver Derby glory for Godolphin.
He told ITV Racing: “It’s not sunk in yet. I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Firstly for giving me the position to be here.
I’ve always said when I started this job I wanted to be the first person to have a Derby winner in Godolphin blue.”
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