Dubai delight at Epsom as Defoe wins the Coronation Cup

Surprise success for the five-year-old trained by Roger Varian who defeats Kew Garden after a strong finish

Defoe right, ridden by Andrea Atzeni wins the Coronation Cup. Reuters

Defoe ridden in the silks of Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum landed the Group 1 Coronation Cup at the Epsom Downs on Friday.

Trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Andrea Arzeni, the five-year-old got up inside the final 200 metres to win from Kew Gardens by half-a-length, and Salouen a further five-lengths behind in third.

Defoe, who was second to Communique in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on his previous run, has some solid Group form to his name but was winning a Group 1 prize for the first time.

Godolphin’s Old Persian, who was supplemented for the race, finished seventh of the nine runners.