Derby runner-up Madhmoon delights Prendergast Veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast was proud of Madhmoon in defeat after his charge went down fighting in the Investec Derby at Epsom. Prendergast — who will celebrate his 87th birthday next month — has enjoyed a glittering training career since first taking out a licence in 1963, enjoying eight Classic victories in his native Ireland and a British Classic success with Nebbiolo in the 2000 Guineas 42 years ago. Having impressed in two starts as a juvenile, hopes were high Madhmoon could add to Prendergast’s Classic haul this season, and his staying-on effort when fourth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earned him a tilt at the biggest of them all. There were doubts beforehand about whether Madhmoon’s stamina would be exposed over the extra half-mile, but after travelling strongly under Chris Hayes, he stuck to his guns admirably to finish a half-length second to Aidan O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck. Prendergast said: “We’d loved to have won, but we’re very proud of the horse. “(My heart) always pumps, but that (finish) made it pump a little bit more. He ran great, we’re happy with him. “It was a very good ride from Chris Hayes and he did nothing wrong. The best horse won on the day.” Angus Gold, racing manager to Madhmoon’s owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, raised the Irish Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes as potential targets for the son of New Approach. Gold said: “He stumbled at the bottom of the hill and he (Hayes) had to go a bit earlier than he wanted to. “I’m thrilled and if you said that was going to be the outcome I would have taken that any day. “Whether we have to stick to a mile and half or whether we come back to a mile and quarter, let’s see. There are things like the Irish Champion, and the Irish Derby would come into it now. “I was convinced he wouldn’t stay, so I’m delighted to be proved wrong.”
