Anthony Delpech takes a look back at the 2017 South African Derby at Turffontein, where he rode the son of Silvano, AL SAHEM, to victory for the Sean Tarry stable. Watch the replay below.
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View the final fields for the 2020 SA Derby, Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks and Horse Chestnut Stakes here!
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SA Derby 2017
Race replay footage courtesy of Andrew Bon / Bonski Clan:
“But this time, it’s Al Sahem’s time!”
by Anthony Delpech
“As we look forward to the SA Derby this weekend, heres a throwback to 2017 where I won this race on the Sean Tarry trained Al Sahem.
Al Sahem came into this race with good form, after two second place finishes in the Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic. But he wasn’t the most straight-forward horse to ride. He used to be a difficult sort, and I had to take him down to the start early.
I felt to be in the race I needed to jump well and get in front of Mike de Kock’s horse Heavenly Blue (the grey who had won the SA Classic three weeks earlier). If I got ahead of him, I’d have him to come and fetch me later in the race. I also believed if the pace of the race was on, they’ll have to beat me because Al Sahem stayed very well. That’s exactly why I made my move early in the race at the top of the straight. He kept up the gallop, and the plan worked out perfectly. He outstayed Heavenly Blue and ended up winning a very good race.
Sean had believed this was a Derby horse, and it suited him to the tee. It was great to get another win for Sean Tarry Racing, and of course the owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum.
For me personally it was my third SA Derby win (after Silver Sliver 2000 & Bouqet-Garni 2009) and a race I remember so well to this day.
Al Sahem followed up that run with a 2nd in the Daily News, and then a 2nd in the Vodacom Durban July (under S’manga Khumalo). Al Sahem left after the July to run in Dubai, but hasn’t seen the success he had while running here in South Africa.”
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View the final fields for the 2020 SA Derby, Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks and Horse Chestnut Stakes here!
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