Sunday 3 May 2015 09:10, UK
British-born trainer Simon Callaghan could not have been prouder in defeat after Firing Line came up just short in his quest for glory in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
The three-year-old colt succumbed to American Pharoah by just a length in a stirring finish to the 141st renewal of the great race.
It was a bitter-sweet outcome for Callaghan, who took over the domestic training licence from his father, Neville, in 2009 before leaving Newmarket to continue his career in California.
He said: "It's disappointing, but, on the other hand, I'm very proud of how well my horse ran.
"Gary (Stevens) rode a great race, he had him in the right spot.
"We just got beat and we tried all the way."
American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert admitted the pressure had been intense in the build-up to the race after the hot favourite had impressively won his last four starts.
"We were ready to rumble," said Baffert, who was winning a fourth Kentucky Derby and also saddled the third horse home, Dortmund.
"There's a lot of positive energy on this horse (American Pharoah).
"There's a certain aura about him. He's caught people's attention. He makes a trainer really look good.
"I was on pins and needles all week.
"For some reason, the pressure, I just felt a lot of it. It was good pressure but there was a lot of it, and I knew I had the horses to do it with.
"People were talking about a super horse. I read that and I really don't like it. Now you can say whatever you want."
Successful jockey Victor Espinoza said: "It's all about confidence, and with Bob Baffert, he gives you that confidence.
"He has been a special horse since the first time I rode him.
"He has a lot of talent and is an unbelievable horse.
"Turning for home I started riding a little bit harder. At the eighth pole I just couldn't put that other horse (Firing Line) away, but he got it done.
"I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth."
American Pharoah will now attempt to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to claim the American Triple Crown, which resumes in two weeks' time in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
