Thirteen colts remained in contention at Monday’s five-day confirmation stage
for the 2009 Epsom Derby (G1). The £1,250,000 contest, run over the famous mile
and a half course at Epsom Downs, takes place at 10.45 a.m. (EDT) on Saturday.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien, successful with Galileo (Ire) (2001) and High
Chaparral (Ire) (2002) looks to hold all the aces going into Saturday’s contest
as he accounts for no less than six of the acceptors. The Ballydoyle sextet
includes FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]), who has followed the same path as
Galileo and High Chaparral by winning the Ballysax S. (Ire-G3) and the
Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Ire-G2) this season. Also among the contingent
from Ballydoyle is Dante S. (Eng-G2) winner BLACK BEAR ISLAND (Sadler’s Wells);
Lingfield Derby Trial (Eng-G3) scorer AGE OF AQUARIUS (Galileo [Ire]); GOLDEN
SWORD (High Chaparral [Ire]) and MASTEROFTHEHORSE (Sadler’s Wells), the first
two home in the Chester Vase (Eng-G3); and Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) fourth
RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]).
In addition to O’Brien’s formidable contenders, Ireland also has two other
leading Derby contenders in Two Thousand Guineas victor SEA THE STARS (Cape
Cross [Ire]), trained by John Oxx, and GAN AMHRAS (Galileo [Ire]), from the Jim
Bolger yard and a fine third behind Sea the Stars at Newmarket on May 2. Both
trainers certainly know what it takes to prepare an Derby winner, with Oxx
saddling Sinndar to success nine years ago and the Bolger team triumphant with
New Approach in 2008.
One horse aiming to keep the prize in Britain is the Mick Channon-trained
MONTAFF (Montjeu [Ire]). The colt was successful at Newbury in a maiden last
year and on his only start this season finished a neck behind Age of Aquarius in
the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 9. He worked at Epsom Downs during the
“Breakfast With The Stars” media morning on May 28 and is set to be partnered by
Richard Hills on Saturday, with regular pilot Darryll Holland currently serving
a 21-day suspension for a riding offence at Warwick.
Other British-trained horses hoping to claim the Derby prize include last
year’s Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1) victor CROWDED HOUSE (Rainbow Quest), who
disappointed on his return to action in the Dante S., and KITE WOOD (Galileo
[Ire]), who finished fifth in the same contest. SOUTH EASTER (Galileo [Ire]),
who is part-owned by Bernard Kantor, managing director of race sponsor Investec,
could aim to maintain the 100 percent record in the Derby of trainer William
Haggas. Haggas saddled the 1996 hero Shaamit, his only previous runner in the
classic.
One acceptor to have already scored at Epsom Downs is DEBUSSY (Diesis [GB]),
who was successful in the Blue Riband Trial S. at the course on April 22. Owned
by last year’s winning owner, Princess Haya Of Jordan, Debussy is trained by
John Gosden, who triumphed with Benny the Dip in 1997.
The going at Epsom Downs is currently good. Director Of Racing Andrew Cooper
was scheduled to walk the course Monday afternoon to further assess the
condition of the course.