How Mickael Barzalona pulled off the cheekiest of Derby wins with sensational last-to-first ride

A mention of the Pour Moi and the 2011 Derby will likely evoke one memory, and that is of winning jockey Mickael Barzalona crossing the line standing fully upright in his irons.

In what is surely one of the world-famous race's standout displays of confidence, the then 19-year-old rider produced his mount under a perfectly timed ride to hand legendary trainer Andre Fabre a first victory in the Derby. 

• Watch: Mickael Barzalona's epic victory on Pour Moi in the 2011 Derby

Much of the pre-race discussion centred on Carlton House, the Dante winner who was bidding to provide the Queen with her first Derby winner. Sir Michael Stoute's colt had held favouritism for the Epsom Classic after his York win and took his chance despite a late injury scare in the week of the race.

Pour Moi leapt into the Derby picture with a comfortable success in the previous month's Group 2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud and was a 4-1 chance under Barzalona, who anchored his mount at the back of the field in the race's early stages.

Aidan O'Brien's Memphis Tennessee set the pace under the trainer's son Joseph but didn't over-exert himself, and on the approach to Tattenham Corner found himself with a six-length advantage over the chasing pack.

However, Barzalona remained unperturbed in rear, and three furlongs from home had passed only three of his 12 rivals.

Heading into the final furlong, Memphis Tennessee was headed by stablemate and 25-1 outsider Treasure Beach, but Carlton House was now also in contention, and wider on the track, Pour Moi started to build his challenge.

It looked as though Treasure Beach would hold on deep into the final furlong, but as the line neared, Pour Moi found extra, edging ahead as Barzalona stood bolt upright in front of the crowd.

The winning margin was officially a head, and with victory Pour Moi became the first French-trained Derby winner in 35 years. It would ultimately prove to be his final start, with a career-ending injury accelerating his retirement to stud. 

What they said

Mickael Barzalona, rider of Pour Moi

“I’ve never done it before [stood upright in the saddle] and don’t know why I did it this time; it just happened. I went past all of them and knew they couldn’t come back to me. I knew where the winning post was.”

Andre Fabre, trainer of Pour Moi

“We decided to run after he won the Prix Greffulhe. He missed the break on his first outing and then won brilliantly at Longchamp, coming from last to first in heavy ground. I saw then we had a very good horse”

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