'It was a silly thing to do' - Adam Kirby critical of pre-Derby fireworks

Last year's Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby believes his mount in the Classic this year, Nahanni, had his chances compromised by a surprise pre-race fireworks display and that it "was a silly thing to do" in the minutes before the contest.

Crowds at Epsom were shocked by a loud bang and colourful flashes that went up as the 17 runners for this year's Cazoo Derby reached the stalls, with a large cloud of grey smog drifting across the stands and down towards the racecourse stables before the race began.

The Derby start is approximately half a mile from the stands, although it requires the horses to go the entire way around the course to reach the stalls rather than cutting across the infield, and Kirby said the explosion of the fireworks was "very loud".

Nahanni was described as "sweating, dwelt start and slowly into stride" by the Racing Post in-running comment for the Derby, which Kirby won last year on the Charlie Appleby-trained Adayar, and the rider said the pre-race display affected his horse's ability to perform.

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"He didn't appreciate it and it didn't help him in the stalls either," he said. "He probably wouldn't have messed around in the gates like he did because he got worked up by them, and I don't think he would have slipped coming out either. He probably had different things on his mind and it all wound him up.

"They were very loud. I thought it was quite a silly thing to do when they did it. I think it would have been a good thing to do after racing, maybe they should have waited until then.

"Or, if we'd have been given a heads-up before the race to say this was going to happen, it would have been helpful, but we had no idea, we just heard the bang. In hindsight, it was a silly thing to do."

Nahanni ended up in seventh place behind Desert Crown, doing his best work at the finish, and Kirby added: "I thought he ran a really good race. If he hadn't slipped I think he'd have been fourth."

The sound caused by the display was also heard by Richard Kingscote aboard the winner, with the rider admitting he was "fortunate" his horse had the mentality to cope with what was going on.

"Yes, I noticed them but I didn't see them," Kingscote said on Luck On Sunday. "He noticed them and they perked him up. He jig-jogged for a stride or two. I was fortunate that he was very chilled and took it all well. I can't say for everyone else."

Staff working in the racecourse stables reported their horses becoming upset by the fireworks, while the decision was queried on social media over the weekend.

This year's Derby formed part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen, who was unable to attend Epsom having felt discomfort at the Trooping of the Colour parade on Thursday and watched the racing at home at Windsor Castle instead.

The display was arranged by Epsom's owner the Jockey Club without the requirement for the BHA to sanction it, and a spokesman for the racecourse group said: "The Derby is the greatest Flat race in the world and we will always aim to create a special atmosphere. The pre-race show was thoroughly tested in advance and both timed and placed with our participants in mind.

"However, part of constantly striving to improve any major event is to evaluate and we will take all feedback on board in our planning process for next year."

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