Harzand
Harzand (right) won the Epsom Derby in impressive fashion Getty Images

Harzand has won the 2016 Epsom Derby, beating off stiff competition from pre-race favourite US Army Ranger and Idaho to win the world-famous event. The Pat Smullen-ridden horse, which is trained by Dermot Weld, was pushed all the way to the finish post to win a closely-contested race.

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The contest was decided in the final furlong as Harzand showed sufficient pace at Epsom Downs Racecourse to hold off the late challenge of US Army Ranger, who appeared on the outside and at one stage, looked well-placed to steal the title.

But the three-year-old, who had surged ahead in sensational style, showed impressive stamina to stave off US Army Ranger's late dash. Harzand, a 13-2 shot, beat the pre-race favourite by a length and a half while Idaho came home in third.

Smullen's joy owed much to the fact Harzand almost missed the event because of a pre-race injury scare. "It's what you dream of. More so for me, for the bosses to win this race. I'm delighted to have ridden the winner," said Smullen, according to The Mirror.

"The trouble we had this morning. I didn't know if I was going to get on the plane at all. The boys have done a great job to get him here at all. It's a whole team effort and I'm delighted for the team."