Harzand won the Derby at Epsom on Saturday (4th June) to give jockey Pat Smullen and trainer Dermot Weld their first win in the Classic and owner The Aga Khan his fifth victory.

In the long and varied training career of Dermot Weld the Derby stood out as the one major race that he had yet to win.

The 67-year-old handler has saddled big winners on four different continents.

Yet none of his 44 years as a trainer could have prepared him for the problems that Harzand encountered in his trip over to Epsom from the trainer's Curragh base on the morning of the race.

The three year old colt stood on his own foot and spread a plate, drawing blood.

His hoof was encased in ice while vets assessed his condition, with jockey Pat Smullen told to pull out if there was any sign of trouble going to post.

But on Epsom's undulating turf there was no sign of the drama that had taken place that morning.

Harzand pulled clear with over a furlong to run, holding off the challenge from the favourite, US Army Ranger, with Idaho in third.

In winning Britain's most valuable race, he emulated his sire, the great Sea the Stars, who triumphed on the same track in 2009.

He also became the fifth Aga Khan runner to taste Derby victory, the most famous of which, was the legendary Shergar.