The powerful yards were at the forefront of the betting market for the 2021 edition of Britain’s most prestigious flat race. A little unusually, Aidan O’Brien sent just the one to post in the shape of Bolshoi Ballet who assumed favouritism following an impressive success in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.
The boys in blue of Godolphin boasted greater strength in numbers, with Dante winner Hurricane Lane, 2,000 Guineas sixth One Ruler, and Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Adayar all in the line-up. Amongst the others fancied to go well were the winner of that Lingfield event, Third Realm, Ed Dunlop’s John Leeper, and Irish raider Mac Swiney.
Result
- 1st – Adayar 16/1, Jockey: Adam Kirby, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd – Mojo Star 50/1, Jockey: David Egan, Trainer: Richard Hannon
- 3rd – Hurricane Lane 6/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £637,987.50
- 2nd – £241,875
- 3rd – £121,050
- 4th – £60,300
- 5th – £30,262.50
- 6th – £15,187.50
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £18.40
- Tote Places – 1st – £4.80, 2nd – £7.95, 3rd – £1.65
- Exacta – £608.50
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £629.43
- Trifecta – £5,222.09
- Tricast – £4,766.80
Recap
This race produced a shock result in 2020 with the surprise success of Serpentine, and more of the same was in store in 2021, with the first two runners home having been available to back at 50/1 and 200/1 on the morning of the race.
Mark Johnston’s Gear Up won the battle for the early lead, closely tracked by Youth Spirit, flanked by Bolshoi Ballet down the outside and Adayar up the inside rail. Favourite Bolshoi Ballet looked best placed to attack moving into the straight, but as the eyes were drawn to the O’Brien runner, it was instead, Adayar who powered home up the inside, ultimately drawing right away for victory by four and a half lengths. The unconsidered Mojo Star stayed on well from out of the pack to take second, whilst subsequent St Leger winner Hurricane Lane grabbed third.
Jockey bookings suggest this result may have been slightly surprising even to those within the Godolphin team. Not that Adam Kirby cared, as one of the most popular riders in the weighing room picked up a first Classic success. For Appleby, this was the second Derby win following the success of Masar in 2018.
Runners
- 1. Adayar – SP: 16/1 , Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: Adam Kirby
- 2. Bolshoi Ballet – SP: 11/8F, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 3. Gear Up – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Mark Johnston, Jockey: Ben Curtis
- 4. Hurricane Lane – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 5. John Leeper – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Charlie Fellowes, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 6. Hoo Ya Mal – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Ed Dunlop, Jockey: Frankie Dettori
- 7. Mohaafeth – NR, Trainer: William Haggas
- 8. Mojo Star – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: David Egan
- 9. One Ruler – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: James Doyle
- 10. Southern Lights – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Declan McDonough
- 11. Third Realm – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Roger Varian, Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Non Runners
Mohaafeth (unsuitable ground)