Nijinsky Trounces Derby Field

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32315, 5 June 1970, Page 4 (Supplement)

Nijinsky Trounces Derby Field

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright > EPSOM (England). Mr Charles Engelhard said after seeing his horse, Nijinsky, win the Epsom Derby here today, that the colt was now worth SUS3m by American standards.

The American owner added: “This was some-) thing I hoped to live to see. I have wanted to win the English Derby ever since j saw My Love carry it off in 1948.” The English champion jockey Tester Piggott, who had ridden Derby winners on four previous occasions, had only to give Nijinsky some rein with a furlong left for the colt to sail past the French horses Gyr and Stintino and win unchallenged. Nijinsky and Piggott were greeted with a tremendous cheer from the huge crowd as they flashed past the winning post. Only the bookmakers looked glum —< it is estimated they had a £2m pay-

out on Nijinsky. which started 11-8 favourite. Nijinsky, which is unbeaten in eight races, had earlier won another classic, the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. There was only one horse in today’s race as Nijinsky coasted in two lengths and a half clear of Gyr, with Stintino three lengths further behind. Gyr was 100-30 second favourite and Stintino 17-1 in the field of 11 runners —the smallest Derby turnout for 54 years. Nijinsky’s reputation and the obvious quality of Gyr and Stintino had deterred many owners from running colts with only outside chances of victory. On fast going, Nijinsky sped over 12 furlongs in hear-record time of 2min 34 3/ssec. It was the fastest Derby since Mahmoud set the race record of 2min 33 4/ssec in 1936.

! Results: DERBY STAKES £93.300; three-year-olds: lAm NIJINSKY. Mr C. Engelhard's b c by Northern Dancer —Flaming Page 9-0. L. Piggott 1 CYR, Mr W. F. Guest’s ch c by Sea Bird IV—Feria 9-0 W. Williamson 2 STINTING, Mr G. A. Oldham's b c by Sheshoon —Cynara 9-0 G. Thiboeuf 3 Eleven started. Scratched: Eucalyptus. Two and a half lengths, three lengths. Great Wall fourth. Time: 2:34 3-5. Trainer: M. V O'Brien, Ireland.