City Of Troy Tops Derby Nominations at First Entry Stage

A total of 72 horses have been entered for the 2024 G1 Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 1, the richest race in Britain with total prize-money of £1.5 million.

Of the 72, 23 are trained in Ireland, including the outstanding juvenile of 2023, City Of Troy (Justify), last seen winning the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket by three and a half lengths in impressive fashion. He is one of 17 entries for Aidan O'Brien, the most successful trainer in the history of the Classic having saddled nine winners since the turn of the century. O'Brien's other notable entries include G1 National S. winner Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who emulated City Of Troy by winning each of his three starts as a two-year-old, plus G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and G2 Champions Juvenile S. winner Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), both of whom should be well suited by stepping up to a mile and a half on pedigree.

The Paddy Twomey-trained Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), who finished fourth behind Diego Velazquez at Leopardstown before winning the G2 Beresford S. at the Curragh, is another standout name among the Irish contingent, while Saint-Cloud maiden winner Roadshow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the sole entry from France. Trained by Andre Fabre, Roadshow is another potential runner for the various Coolmore partnerships, sporting the familiar purple and white silks of Derek Smith which have already been carried to success in the Derby on three occasions.

US-trained runners at Epsom are much less common, but there could be one in the 2024 renewal, namely Common Defense (Karakontie {Jpn}), last seen filling the runner-up spot in the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Park for Kenny McPeek. Further international interest could be provided by Justin Milano (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), potentially a first ever runner from Japan in the Derby. Trained by Yasuo Tomomichi–a three-time winner of the Japanese equivalent, the Tokyo Yushun–Justin Milano was successful in the G3 Kyodo News Hai at Tokyo on his most recent start.

The home team is headed by the Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi) and Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi), both of whom achieved a high level of form at two. Ancient Wisdom proved himself one of the best of his generation when landing the G1 Futurity Trophy S. at Doncaster, while Arabian Crown impressed when running out an emphatic winner of the G3 Zetland S. at Newmarket. Incidentally, Appleby is also responsible for 'TDN Rising Star' Endless Victory (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), a full-brother to the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) who won by a wide margin on his debut at Wolverhampton earlier this month.

Clive Cox's Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is another to note having won each of his three starts as a juvenile, notably coming out on top in what looked a deep renewal of the G2 Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket, beating Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Capulet (Justify) and Macduff (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The first four have all been given Derby entries, along with John and Thady Gosden's Futurity Trophy third God's Window (GB) (Dubawi).

The second entry stage is set for Wednesday, April 24.

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Aidan O’Brien Dominates Derby Nominations At Latest Entry Stage

After the Mar. 7 scratching stage, 83 horses remain signed on for the 2023 G1 Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 3. Worth £1.5 million, the 1 1/2-mile contest is the richest race in Britain.

Of the 83, 45 are trained in Ireland and of that number, a colossal 31 are trained by Ballydoyle supremo Aidan O'Brien for various Coolmore partnerships. Top of the heap are Deep Impact (Jpn)'s G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy hero Auguste Rodin (Jpn) and the late Shadai kingpin's son's Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). The last-named won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland in November. The winning duo of Alfred Munnings (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) are other potential Classic stars-in-waiting.

O'Brien's sons, Joseph and Donnacha, field eight between them, led by Group 1 winners Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for the latter, and Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for the former.

There are also three chances for His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort to scoop the Blue Riband this year, with the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas-nominated winner Slipofthepen (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) trained by John and Thady Gosden, the William Haggas-trained group-placed Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the winning Sir Michael Stoute charge Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) all nominated. Stoute claimed the 2022 Derby with Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), and he also entered Crystal Mariner (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Robert Ng.

The Gosdens have the largest UK Derby arsenal with 15 colts nominated. Anchoring their brigade is George Strawbridge's 'TDN Rising Star' Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who was second in the Vertem Futurity Trophy S. behind the aforementioned Auguste Rodin.

Of Andrew Balding's quartet, three bear the colours of King Power Racing led by G2 Royal Lodge S. hero The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}).

The second entry stage is set for Tuesday, Apr. 4.

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