THE 2/1 favourite Nyquist maintaind his unbeaten record when he won the 142nd Kentucky Derby by one and a quarter lengths at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Sent off as the 2/1 favourite, the son of Uncle Mo never looked in trouble as he broke well from stall 13 and allowed front runner Danzing Candy to come by and lead him around the first turn.

That outsider set a fast pace two or three clear, with Nyquist and Gun Runner racing in second and third.

The order remained the same with a three-length gap back to the rest of the field until the final bend where Dancing Candy had done enough and faded, finishing 15th, and Gun Runner and Florent Geroux made their bid for glory. He was matched by Nyquist on his outside and steered wider by Mario Guterriez, Nyquist took it up two and a half furlongs out.

He moved clear by three lengths and gradually moved over to the rail. He never looked likely to be caught although Exaggerator came from the pack and closed him down late. Exaggerator had been well back in the field but Kent Desormeaux got a nice run up the rail into the stretch and switched out wide to come with his rally.

None of the others looked like threatening, Gun Runner holding on narrowly to third ahead of the closing Mohaymen with Suddenbreakingnews finishing fastest of all in fifth. Everything else was a disappointment.

An incredible feeling and an incredible horse

The time was 2m 1.03secs, the fastest since Funny Cide in 2003.

In many ways this was similar to American Pharoah's win last year as both winners were always to the fore, travelled well and never looked like losing from the turn into the straight.

"I'm just the luckiest guy in the world," said trainer Doug O'Neill after his second Derby win for the Reddam team.

"He is a special horse, he gives 110% every time he steps on the track. An incredible feeling and an incredible horse".

Jockey Mario Gutierrez said: "It was an amazing feeling I have 100% confidence in Nyquist, if he feels someone coming, he just goes as fast as he needs to go, I never doubted my horse."

The owner Paul Reddam said, "I'll have another," referring to his previous winner as he collected his winning trophy.

Nyquist and Mario Gutierrez are led back

The colt is named after the Swedish ice hockey player Gustav Nyquist, who plays for the Detroit Red Wings.

Nyquist has an Irish connection as he was bred by Co Tipperary veterinary surgeon and sales consignor Tim Hyde. It was Hyde who bought broodmare Seeking Gabrielle for $45,000 in 2011 when she was carrying Nyquist. When the mare failed to sell as planned, Hyde registered the foal to the family's Summerhill Farm.

The weanling was consigned to the 2012 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, where he was purchased by Madison Farm for $180,000. At the 2014 September Sale, consignor Dromoland Farm, agent, sold Nyquist to Sutton Place Stables for $230,000.

At two, the colt was sold at the Fasig-Tipton March sale to Doug O'Neill's brother Dennis for $400,000. After he won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Darley America purchased his breeding rights and upon retirement Nyquist will stand at Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

He is the second West Coast campaigned colt to win the Derby in two years after American Pharoah.

Favourites have now won the last four Kentucky Derbys and Nyquist is the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to add the Kentucky Derby since Street Sense in 2007. He will take his eight-race winning streak to the Preakness in two weeks' time.

The attendance at Churchill Downs was 167,227, the second highest in history.

On Friday at Churchill Downs the Kentucky Oaks was won by 5/1 shot Cathryn Sophia. The daughter of Street Boss (by Street Cry) gave trainer John Servis and Javier Castellano their first victories in the race. Servis previously trained 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Smarty Jones.

READ SEAN CLANCY'S FULL KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD