Golden moment for Frankie Dettori in Derby as Golden Horn wins at Epsom

Golden Horn banished any fears over his supposed stamina limitations after storming to a roof-raising victory in the Investec Derby at Epsom.

In stark contrast to the near-muted response that greeted surprise Oaks winner Qualify 24 hours earlier, wild celebrations were the order of the day as Frankie Dettori delivered the 13-8 favourite with a perfectly-timed run to collar stablemate Jack Hobbs and provide trainer John Gosden with a famous one-two.

Not only did the victory underline the training talents of the Newmarket handler and remind everyone that Dettori is still riding at the top of his game, it vindicated the decision of owner Anthony Oppenheimer to stump up the £75,000 fee to supplement the son of Cape Cross.

As the stalls burst open it was clear the race was going be run at a true pace in order to find any chinks in the armour of the doubtful stayers, with Elm Park and Hans Holbein setting a scorching gallop in the battle for early supremacy.

All the while Dettori was happy to bide his time near the rear of the field, negating any freshness in the impressive Dante winner as he set out to make sure he got the trip.

As the field turned for home there was still plenty to do for the eventual winner, who had just three horses behind as Hans Holbein looked to kick from the front and steal a race-winning advantage.

The move was not to work, though, as Jack Hobbs loomed large approaching the two-furlong pole in the hands of William Buick.

But within a matter of strides the son of Halling, running in the blue silks of Godolphin following his recent purchase, was joined by Golden Horn with Dettori now in full flow aboard the market leader.

After hitting the furlong pole together, Dettori forced his mount into an advantage he was not to surrender.

Continuing to pour it on from the front, the pair eventually crossed the line three and a half lengths to the good of Jack Hobbs, with the William Haggas-trained Storm The Stars a further four and a half lengths adrift in third.

It marked a victory that saw Gosden claim a second Derby win following the triumph of Benny The Dip in 1997 and become the first trainer since 2002 to saddle the first and second home.

Gosden said: "He was pretty keen in the first furlong and I thought that I maybe had him a touch fresh.

"Frankie did a lovely job. He just put him to sleep, being the old head he is. When the others went to make it a true test he didn't panic. I said to him 'don't press the button until you are inside the last two furlongs'.

"These things are made to look simple and it could have been a complete mess if he'd gone too soon or let him roll up there with the pace, but he did it all right.

"William said in the Dante that Golden Horn hit the line strong. I think that is a key factor. Another key factor is that, like his sire Cape Cross, he is a very laid back and relaxed horse.

"We talked after York about supplementing him and then we talked on the phone, but Mr Oppenheimer had already made his mind up so I didn't have to persuade him.

"Golden Horn is in the Eclipse, so we'll talk about that again - if he is in good form and he's OK after this race, then that would be a target for him."

We've won the Derby! I can't believe it. John has won it without me and I've won it without him and, finally, 20 years later, we're back together and we've done it together.

While the victory was not a first for Dettori after Authorized for Peter Chapple-Hyam in 2007, it was one that in many ways meant much more to the popular Italian, coming in what has been a resurgent season and for an old ally in Gosden.

Dettori said: "The horse wanted to run for me today so, for the first two or three furlongs we had a slight argument and that's why I took him back a bit.

"I was convinced he would stay, but everything that everyone was saying started to play with my mind a bit.

"He hit a flat spot but when I gave him a crack he took off and when I got upsides Jack Hobbs I knew that I had won. I then went numb the last few yards, I was in shock and disbelief that I was going to win the Derby.

"John and myself go back 20 years. I was meant to ride Benny The Dip, then I won it with Authorized and finally we've done it together. John has been very constructive in my career, as a friend and like a father figure, but now we are good mates."

Achieving a life-long dream, Oppenheimer said: "Once he won the Dante, I didn't take too much persuading to supplement him for Epsom. It's a bit of a no-brainer to go for the best race in the world. I had total confidence in the trainer and the jockey.

"It's quite brilliant. This is the race you want to win. It is something that both my father and myself have aspired to do."

While Jack Hobbs had to settle for second best, Gosden stressed compensation could await in the Irish equivalent with it put forward as a possible target.

Gosden said: "I am beyond delighted with Jack Hobbs. I thought William gave him a gorgeous ride.

"He kept him back, managed to get him on the correct leg going down the hill, which is fundamental, and gave him a chance to get balanced down the road.

"He picked up sweetly and it was nearly a winning run. Jack Hobbs has gone via an unconventional route, but I did supplement him for the Irish Derby and I would like to go to the Curragh."

As for third hone Storm The Stars, he could now be stepped up in trip and put his credentials on the line for a shot at the St Leger.

Haggas said: "It was a great run and I am very pleased with it. He has come on again and run a great race. I was thrilled.

"He got beaten by two horses that were quicker than him.

"You would have to say he would go down the St Leger route. If we look after this horse he is going to get better and better."