High Chaparral answers Derby call

High Chaparral, trained by Aidan O`Brien and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, won the English Derby this afternoon 12 months after the success of the same stable`s Galileo.

Hawk Wing, the well-backed 9-4 favourite, finished second two lengths away to make it a famous 1-2 for O`Brien with Godolphin`s Moon Ballad 12 lengths back in third.

There was drama near the line when jockey Philip Robinson parted company with Coshocton, who was taken away in a horse ambulance and later had to be destroyed. Meanwhile Robinson was reported to be recovering in the jockeys` room, not having broken any bones.

High Chaparral, sporting the colours of Michael Tabor, who had a sizeable interest in Galileo, was also supplying Murtagh with his second Derby win.

The son of Sadler`s Wells was friendless in the betting before the race, drifting from 9-4 to 7-2 as the money piled on Kinane`s Hawk Wing.

But in the straight Moon Ballad (20-1), the long time leader, was passed by High Chaparral who surged for the line with Kinane in hot pursuit on Hawk Wing. But the winner stayed on the stronger from Hawk Wing about whom there were stamina question marks.

'They are both serious horses,' said a delighted O`Brien. 'It was a great race and the two lads gave them great rides.'

'Mick really pushed Hawk Wing but the other horse maintained a good even pace and Johnny said `catch me if you can'`.

Murtagh, a Derby winner two years ago on the Aga Khan`s Sinndar, said: 'I feel over the moon. People say the Derby isn`t the race it was but it is the race every jockey wants to win.

'Five furlongs out I kicked and he responded. He ran his heart out. He`s a very special horse.'