 Despite doubts over his stamina, stemming from the amount of speed in the distaff side of his pedigree and the speed he had shown at Newmarket, El Gran Senor was an odds-on favourite for the Derby (Gr1) over 12 furlongs at Epsom.In the stretch, he engaged in a battle with another Irish-trained colt in Secreto and lost narrowly.Many felt that Pat Eddery had ridden an ill-judged race, hitting the front too soon, and not being able to use El Gran Senor's superior acceleration.