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.

 

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