(CNN) -- Under the watchful gaze of one monarch, a new king was crowned at Epsom Downs Saturday as the Aidan O'Brien-trained Ruler of the World dominated rivals to claim England's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby.
But it was a day of disappointment for the pre-race favorite, Godolphin-owned Dawn Approach, who failed in his quest to add the Derby to his 2,000 Guineas triumph last month.
Queen Elizabeth, a regular Derby attendee, was among those who had gathered to see Dawn Approach attempt to become the 38th horse to win the first two legs of English racing's Triple Crown.
But his race was over within the first furlong as the Jim Bolger-trained colt appeared to crack under the pressure of a tactical early pace, pulling fiercely from the start and refusing to settle for jockey Kevin Manning.
Read: Outsider wins Epsom Oaks
In a shocking instant, Suffragette Emily Davison is knocked to the ground by the King's horse during the 1913 Epsom Derby. Yet take a closer look and you'll see the majority of spectators are instead watching the race.
The Suffragette who would not be silenced
A fan of horse racing from a young age, then-Princess Elizabeth is seen walking through the paddock at the Epsom Downs racecourse during the derby on May 27, 1950. An appearance at Epsom Derby would be her first official engagement as queen several years later.
The Queen visits the Epsom Derby
After briefly hitting the front at the mile marker, the son of 2008 Epsom Derby winner New Approach faded badly and eventually finished second from last. His connections conceded it would probably be his last outing over a mile and a half.
But it was a different story for Ruler of the World, rated at 7/1 odds to win.
Joseph O'Brien, Ballydoyle's stable jockey and son of the trainer, had opted to ride the equally immodestly named Battle of Marengo, leaving the way clear for Ryan Moore to claim the ride on Ruler of the World.
Moore's faith in the chestnut colt paid off as he blasted home by one and a half lengths from a strong-finishing Libertarian, winner of last month's Dante Stakes. Galileo Rock was just a short head behind in third, with Battle of Marengo next to finish.
Read: Suffragette's ultimate sacrifice at Epsom
Acknowledging the first part of the race had been "messy," Moore said that Ruler of the World had quickened well rounding Tattenham Corner, adding that he thought the horse could get an even further trip in the future.
"He has got a real, likeable attitude," Moore said. "You have got to give credit to the horse. He really toughed it out and showed a very good attitude."
O'Brien thanked the horse's owners, John and Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
"We are so lucky to be in the position that we are in, to get such horses," he said. "They are incredibly bred horses and, even before they are mated, the dream is for this to happen."
Ruler of the World's triumph gave the Irish trainer a second consecutive win in this race and a fourth in total, while Moore has previously won on Workforce in 2010.
A son of super sire Galileo, Ruler of the World was, unusually, not raced at two years old. He is the first horse in such a position to win the Derby since 1993, and has enjoyed an undefeated three-year-old campaign over distances from 10 furlongs to a mile and a half.
His performance over the demanding Epsom course on just his third start suggests there could be plenty more to come from a horse whose very name seems to betoken greatness.
Loading weather data ...
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Four days after she dashed onto the track, Davison died in hospital. Her funeral procession through the streets of London had all the appearances of a state funeral. "Few people are given to that sort of sacrifice, in private or public life, and they are usually reviled or ignored while they live. But it is they who change the course of history - who make history itself," said British journalist Melissa Benn.
The Suffragettes -- who campaigned for womens' right to vote -- had a distinctive style, pictured here wearing white flowing dresses and black arm bands at Davison's funeral procession. They wore purple, white and green sashes -- purple symbolized dignity, white represented purity, and green stood for hope.
Five years after Davison's death, in 1918, women aged over 30 won the vote in Britain. Ten years later the age was reduced to 21 -- equal with men. "But we still have a long way to go. Four fifths of Parliament are men -- it is a very masculine place," said Benn.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh with members of the royal family including the late Queen Mother, at the Epsom Derby on June 2, 1977.
Queen Elizabeth II seen here with stud manager Sir Michael Oswald, watching the Derby in 1980. One of the queen's trainers, Andrew Balding says: "She is a very well informed and keen owner, probably the best-informed owner in the country."
Despite being one of the UK's best-known owners and breeders of racehorses, with around 30 horses currently in training, the queen has yet to claim victory at the Epsom Derby.
Her Majesty pictured with race goers during the Ever Ready Derby at Epsom racecourse in Epsom, England. It is said in racing circles that the British sovereign's reading material of choice over her breakfast is the Racing Post.
Perhaps her best chance to capture the Derby came last year with Carlton House. The red-hot favorite to win but bad luck in running and the loss of a shoe relegated the queen's runner to third.
|