3 minute read

Christophe Soumillon expressed his delight of steering the Charlie Johnston-trained Lazy Griff to finish runner-up in this year’s Epsom Derby.

Despite finishing second behind the well-backed Lambourn in the Chester Vase on his last start in May, Lazy Griff found himself sent off a relartively unfancied 50/1 shot for the Epsom Classic.

Always well-positioned behind his Chester conqueror Lambourn under the Belgian-born rider Christophe Soumillon, connections of the Middleham Park-owned three-year-old had every reason to get excited when Lazy Griff cruised into contention coming down the hill.

Lazy Griff ultimately failed to bridge the gap on the all-the-way leader Lambourn, who galloped on relentlessly to prevail by three- and three-quarter lengths, but connections were left with a beaming smile as they claimed the silver medal spot, leaving them dreaming of a big season ahead.

"Coolmore again… What a race though. I was traveling so well, I saw nobody was able to follow us and I was just cruising down the hill," said Soumillon.

"I just said, 'now I'll go, and we'll see' and for two furlongs I thought that I would get the winner. But ultimately, he was too strong for us.

"It was a huge run. I was very confident though and I was very surprised to see those odds to be honest. I thought he would be about 14/1. We were second though so it was great.

"When Shippy, my agent in England called me to say there was a good ride on offer and asked if I'd think about it. I said I'd come straight away.

"I loved the horse last year, I loved his run last time, he did everything right and we know that Mr Johnston's horses are very tough. That's what you need on this kind of track.

"For me, this is like having a winner. I'm so proud of the horse and the whole team, it was a great result."

A rematch against Lambourn in the Irish Derby or a trip to Paris look next on the agenda for the German-bred son of Protectionist, although trainer Charlie Johnston was quick to point out that the English St Leger will be his ultimate aim come the end of the season.

He said: "We told as many people as possible that would listen that he was such a huge price. Why is Lambourn 13/2 and we're 100/1?

"It's safe to say that Chester form has held up well. I'm delighted, surprised how well he handled the track, that was my biggest concern because he's quite a heavy-topped horse. To the extent that if the ground wasn't as soft as it was, then we wouldn't be here.

"I'm over the moon. I said after Chester, Doncaster (St Leger Stakes) will be his place so to come and run as well as this it keeps us dreaming for the rest of the year.

"The Irish Derby or Grand Prix de Paris I would say would be next. Irish Derby, obviously you go into the lion's den to take on the winner and all that comes with him but either there or Paris will be the two obvious spots."