Michael Church Racing Books

Derby Day Commentaries – Dante

The 1945 Derby Day Commentary

1st DANTE Billy Nevett 100-30 Fav

2nd MIDAS Eph Smith 6-1      2 lengths

3rd COURT MARTIAL Cliff Richards 100-9     a head

Dante wins the 1945 Derby from Midas (hidden).

Commentary: The war in Europe had been over for a month and thousands came to see the final Derby run over the July Course at Newmarket. Dante, a close second to Court Martial in the Guineas was favourite at 100-30. Next in the betting were two colts by Hyperion – Lady Derby’s High Peak, on 5-1 and Lord Rosebery’s Newmarket Stakes winner, Midas, on 6-1. Stamina doubts raised against Court Martial kept him at 100-9. After a good start, Rio Largo led the field to Plantation Corner, where Sun Storm went on from High Peak, Rising Light and Midas. In the dip, Midas took up the running, pursued by Dante and Court Martial, but before reaching the hill, Dante shot through to lead, going on to win by two lengths. The time of 2 min 26.60 sec, equalled Watling Street’s best time for the 10 Derby’s run at Newmarket. In a great battle for the places, Midas finished second, a head in front of the fast-finishing Court Martial, with Chamossaire, a neck away fourth.

27 ran • Time: 2 min. 26.60 sec.

BRED & OWNED by Sir Eric Ohlson. TRAINED by Mathew Peacock at Middleham, Yorkshire.

Although odds on for the St Leger, after conflicting rumours Dante never ran again. Retiring to Theakston Stud, Bedale, he sired Darius (b.c.1951), won Two Thousand Guineas Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes, Eclipse Stakes.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

The 1935 Derby Day Commentary

1st BAHRAM Freddie Fox 5-4 Fav

2nd ROBIN GOODFELLOW Tommy Weston 50-1 2 lengths

3rd FIELD TRIAL Bobby Dick 9-1 ½ length

Bahram walking through Epsom

Commentary: After heavy rain in the morning, the sun came out to restore the going to good. Sixteen runners went to post and Bahram, having won the Two Thousand Guineas from Theft and Sea Bequest, started 5-4 favourite. The Aga Khan also ran Theft and Hairan (second in the Newmarket Stakes), but it was to be Bahram’s day.

From the top of the hill to Tattenham Corner, Field Trial had the call. Theft, ridden by Harry Wragg, was well placed on the rails, just behind the leaders, while Freddie Fox on Bahram was trapped in a pocket behind him. Running down to the corner, Fox shouted out to Wragg to let him through. Wragg, on the Aga’s second string, pulled over and Bahram shot through the gap in pursuit of Field Trial. At the two-furlong marker, Fox had Bahram poised just behind Field Trial and at the distance, he sent him on to gain a comfortable two-length victory from the running-on Robin Goodfellow.

After the race Wragg was cautioned by the stewards regarding his riding of Theft, and warned that any repetition would be severely dealt with.

Bahram went on to win the St James’s Palace Stakes, then finally the St Leger, to complete the Triple Crown.

At stud he sired Turkhan (1940 St Leger) and Big Game (1942 Two Thousand Guineas). Bahram was exported firstly to America, then to Argentina where he died in January 1956.

16 ran • Time: 2 min. 36.00 sec. BRED & OWNED by H.H. Aga Khan III. TRAINED by Frank Butters at Newmarket.

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The 1970 Derby Day Commentary

 1st NIJINSKY Lester Piggott 11-8 Fav

2nd GYR Bill Williamson 100-30 2½ lengths

3rd STINTINO Gerard Thiboeuf 7-1 3 lengths

Nijinsky and Lester Piggott return after winning the Derby

Commentary: In the early stages Long Till, Cry Baby and Mon Plaisir set a strong pace down to Tattenham Corner. From there, Meadowville and Long Till led Gyr and Great Wall, with Nijinsky going easily behind the leaders. At the two-pole, Gyr forged ahead, pressed by Great Wall, Stintino and Nijinsky. Piggott, waiting until a furlong out, drove Nijinsky through a gap between the leaders and coming smoothly away won by two and a half lengths from Gyr. Stintino finished third, a further three lengths away, with Great Wall fourth.

It was an emphatic victory and one that answered every question. Nijinsky’s time for the race of 2 min 34.68 sec, was the fastest since Mahmoud in 1936.

Nijinsky’s win in the St Leger completed a historic Triple Crown. His glittering career at stud featured three Derby winners – Golden Fleece  (1982), Shahrastani (1986) and Lammtarra (1995) – plus the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner, Ferdinand. Nijinsky died in April 1992 and is buried at Claiborne Farm, Kentucky.

11 ran • Time: 2 min. 34.68 sec.

BRED by Mr Edward P. Taylor in Canada. OWNED by Mr Charles Engelhard. TRAINED by Vincent O’Brien at Cashel, Co. Tipperary. .

     For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

    To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael