Mac Swiney lit up the 2021 season for trainer/breeder Jim Bolger when beating his stable-mate, the 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare (Ire), to land the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

A three-time winner as a juvenile, he had ended his debut season with victory in the G1 Vertem Futurity having also landed the G2 Beresford S. Mac Swiney's dam Halle Na Saoire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a full-sister to the Group 2 winner Light Heavy (Ire).

Anngrove Stud's Alastair Pim commented, “We are delighted to stand Mac Swiney. It's rare that a small stud gets the chance to stand a Classic winner in his first year at stud. He was a high class two-year-old who showed speed and versatility and is a Classic winning three-year-old. As the late great Paddy Mullins said to my father 'every National Hunt mare in the country will stay three miles, it's the bit of speed they need in the final furlong' and Mac Swiney certainly fits that criteria.”

MacSwiney, described by Bolger as 'tough, courageous and adaptable' joined the Irish National Stud roster initially for 2024. However, the switch to Anngrove Stud is thought to better suit his appeal to the dual-purpose breeders.

Irish National Stud boss Cathal Beale said, “In recognition of the Irish National Stud's enduring support of National Hunt racing and breeding we are delighted to offer a horse of Mac Swiney's calibre to the breeders of Ireland, he is a beautiful specimen with lots of quality and a big strong athletic walk. INS has a long tradition of standing our dual-purpose horses with the Pim family at Anngrove Stud. The sire line speaks for itself with horses like Pied Piper flying the flag for New Approach.”

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The two-day Irish Stallion Trail kicks off on Friday and Bolger is backing Mac Swiney to go down a bomb. The legendary trainer also revealed that he plans on supporting the Group 1-winning two-year-old and Irish 2,000 Guineas hero with 20 mares in his first season at stud.

Bolger said, “He's the new kid on the block and he'll be a big attraction. Anybody who goes and sees him on the Irish Stallion Trail, they definitely won't be disappointed.”

He added, “I've 20 mares lined up for Mac Swiney. He's a very meaningful horse to us. We knew from the time he arrived here first that he was special. He's such a good looker. He looked like a real one even from the time he was foaled. Looks-wise, he never disappointed and I'd be very disappointed if he didn't go down well.”

Mac Swiney showed top-class form as a juvenile by taking out the G1 Futurity S. on his final start at two. He built on that promise at three when taking the scalp of his stablemate Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Irish 2,000 Guineas before finishing an honourable third in the G1 British Champion S. over 10 furlongs later that season. 

With that in mind, Bolger says he is confident that Mac Swiney can appeal to every facet of the market and that he is fairly priced at an opening fee of €8,000. 

Bolger explained, “The sprinter/miler types are the ones that are most sought after in the sales ring and Mac Swiney falls into that category being a Group 1 winner at two and a Classic-winning miler at three. I'd be confident that that's the way he will be viewed. If that is the case, I think he'll go very well at stud. I think he's great value and I wouldn't have it otherwise because breeders, now more so than ever, deserve a break. I think he's proper value at that money.”

He added, “Along with his top performances at two and three, he's a great looker with the most wonderful temperament. They are going to find it very easy to manage him at the Irish National Stud.”

It didn't always appear likely that Mac Swiney would be available for Irish or even European breeders. Bolger revealed that there were offers, one in particular to abroad which piqued interests, but in the end, a deal was brokered with the Irish National Stud where Mac Swiney will stand alongside fellow Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain (Ire), Invincible Spirit (Ire), Lucky Vega (Ire), Nando Parado (GB), Equiano (Fr) and Elusive Pimpernel. 

Bolger said, “I got a very good offer from abroad and he nearly went away but I wasn't happy about it. Ken [Bolger], my nephew who runs Redmonstown Stud, approached the Irish National Stud and they had a deal wrapped up fairly quickly.”

Mac Swiney's dam Halle Na Saoire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is a full-sister to the Group 2 winner Light Heavy (Ire) and he represents a family that Bolger has been involved with since 1994. Amoura (Northfields), then an 11-year-old mare who had produced seven foals and just one winner at the time, was snapped up by Bolger for just $5,000 at Keeneland. 

She would go on to breed Siamsa (Quest For Fame {GB}), the dam of Light Heavy, but more importantly, Halla Na Saoire (Ire), who went on to produce Mac Swiney. 

Not only that, but Halla Na Saoire is also by one of Bolger's most famous homebreds, Teofilo (Ire), so you could say this latest Classic-winning stallion prospect is a Bolger special in every sense of the word. 

He concluded, “It's a family that started out with the Aga Khan followed by Prince Khalid Abdullah and now it's the Irish National Stud and myself. It's very exciting to see him off to stud and I'm confident that he will go down very well.”

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Cleary has already tasted major success for his long-standing boss when partnering MacSwiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) to lead home a Bolger-trained one-two in the 2021 Irish 2,000 Guineas, outpointing Manning aboard the better-fancied Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}).

It was at Galway last October when Derby-winning jockey Manning, 55, called time on his storied career after riding Bolger's Vocal Studies (Ire) (Vocalised) to victory. 

His Derby win came in 2008 at Epsom aboard New Approach (Ire) and, all told, Manning was successful in eight British and Irish Classics.

Bolger failed to be drawn on a succession plan for his stable jockey of nearly 30 years back in October, however, with the Flat season a month away, hinted that Cleary and McAteer would share the rides going forward. 

When asked if he had made plans to appoint a stable jockey, the 81-year-old simply said on Tuesday, “I have been very well served by Rory Cleary and Luke McAteer in the past and I am sure that will remain the case into the future.”

He added, “Luke still has three pounds left on his claim and we will make full use of that.”

Luke McAteer | Racingfotos.com

Cleary is widely-regarded as one of the hardest-working riders in the weighroom and enjoyed another productive season last year when landing the G3 Eyrefield S. for Bolger at Leopardstown on Speirling Beag (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire})

He also enjoyed notable success for Sheila Lavery at that track on Irish Champions Weekend last year when guiding Moracana (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}) to victory in the “Petingo” Handicap.

McAteer is yet another quality apprentice to come through Bolger's famous production line. The Donegal native rode his first winner for the trainer in 2017 and has recorded tallies in the 20s for the past three consecutive seasons. 

Like Cleary, McAteer also enjoyed Group 3 success in the Eyrefield S. for Bolger, with that win coming in 2020 on Flying Visit (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}). 

While Bolger explained that “appearances will be scarce” in terms of going racing this season, he revealed that his Coolcullen operation still hums to the tune of about 100 horses and that he has already started to make plans for the best of them.

He said, “I'll have 100 horses this season. About 60 of those would be two-year-olds. Fleetfoot (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) will run in the 2,000 Guineas Trial over a mile at Leopardstown.

“I have a couple for the fillies' trials as well. Comhra (Ire) (Vocalised), who was beaten a length by the Breeders' Cup winner [Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never)] is one and Clever And Cool (Ire) (Vocalised) is the other. She was bred by my late brother Patrick. He died a year ago and I miss him as he was a big help on the breeding side of things. There is improvement in those fillies this year.”

Asked about his breeding plans for the year, Bolger added, “We don't make plans until we see the foal. It's only then that we decide. But I will be using Dawn Approach big time. I'm still a believer. Also, I've always used New Approach, so I'll continue to use him. I'll send a few to him as well. We did some business last year with the O'Callaghans at Tally-Ho Stud. We sent a good few mares to Mehmas (Ire) and will send him more again.”

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The reason being, according to Bolger, is that he'd like to support Mac Swiney with a dozen mares in his debut season at stud.

Bolger also revealed that, despite the fact the horse who led home stablemate Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in that memorable Curragh Classic had been subject to a number of “nibbles,” the legendary trainer and breeder was keen to offer the horse at public auction with Goffs.

He said, “It's interesting, isn't it? Mac Swiney would have appeal everywhere in the world but obviously I would prefer if he stayed in Ireland where I could use him.

“I've a dozen mares that I would like to send him and the only reason why I am selling him is because I wouldn't do him justice in promoting him.”

Bolger added, “Due to the unique nature of my business, I have to keep moving them on.  We had several nibbles over the past six months or so for Mac Swiney but we decided to sell him at public auction. He's the first stallion prospect I have sold at public auction.”

Mac Swiney's sale will take place just a few months after Bolger's Gan Teorainn (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), owned by Ennistown Stud, was sold for 1 million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

On that, he commented, “It was a good achievement. She can only improve because she was quite backward as a 2-year-old.”

Mac Swiney won four times all told. Three of those wins were recorded as a 2-year-old, including in the G1 Vertem Futurity S. at Doncaster back in 2020.

Reflecting on Mac Swiney's career highlight at the Curragh, Bolger added, “It was a special day. It was very comfortable on the day because we knew a furlong out that the race was ours. He has top-class form. He's an Irish 2000 Guineas winner and he showed precocity at two as well.”

Goffs Chief Executive Henry Beeby described it as “a rare opportunity” to be afforded the opportunity to sell the Classic winner on behalf of Bolger.

He said, “Goffs is delighted to be entrusted with the sale of Classic winner Mac Swiney on behalf of Mr. Bolger. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a multiple Group 1-winning stallion prospect and we anticipate plenty of international interest through the excellent Goffs Online platform that makes such sales so easily accessible for bidders regardless of location.”

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The 4-year-old, who also won the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy and G2 Futurity S. at two, trailed in last of 12 at Sha Tin.

“He didn't run well in Hong Kong and we don't know the reason for it,” Bolger said. Mac Swiney's four career wins have come over ground listed as yielding or worse, however Bolger said he is “still not convinced that he doesn't go on fast ground.”

“I hope he'll be a busy 4-year-old,” the trainer added. “We might also find the key to why he doesn't run well so often. We still don't know the reason for it. He's a very genuine horse and his work is always good at home, and yet he throws in some bad runs from time to time.”

Mac Swiney has won from seven furlongs to a mile, but also ran with credit going longer when fourth in the G1 Derby and third in the G1 Champion S.

“He'll be versatile from a mile up to a mile-and-a-half,” Bolger said. “He has a nice turn of foot and he got the mile-and-a- quarter well in the Champion S.”

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Yoshito Yahagi's globetrotting mare has flown the Hinomaru flag from Dubai to Hong Kong and on to the USA then back to Sha Tin again in 2021, leading home a Japanese 1-2-3-4 in the G1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) in April and then creating history by becoming the first horse from her nation to score at the Breeders' Cup.

Hong Kong's richest race had been nominated as the final race of the Deep Impact mare's career soon after she crossed the line in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2200m) at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., on November 6.

Her fifth long flight of the year took her annual distance covered to over 20,000 miles but Loves Only You was produced in perfect condition and completed the final leg of her global odyssey with a last-gasp success under the coolest of rides from Yuga Kawada.

The 36-year-old rider, who was extremely fortunate not to be brought down when previous winner Danon Smash was badly hampered in a dramatic G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) earlier in the day, was understandably thrilled to record his first HKIR success. “Thank you very much, I'm very proud,” he said.

“She jumped well. The pace was a bit slow but then she relaxed and I was able to find a good position. She's given me two big presents and is the best female horse I've ever ridden. I hope she will be a good mother.”

Sent off the 2.6 market leader, Loves Only You jumped alertly from stall four and was soon traveling keenly just behind a steady early pace set by Mac Swiney, Ka Ying Star, and the wide-running Bolshoi Ballet.

Russian Emperor made a bold move to hit the front as a packing field jostled for position early in the home straight but last season's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up edged right with his tongue lolling out as he did so, placing Loves Only You in a pocket on the inner at a crucial point.

Hishi Iguazu produced a storming run from the rear on the outside soon after under Joao Moreira to draw level briefly well inside the final furlong.

However, Kawada had Loves Only You in full stride by this stage and the five-year-old repeated her Del Mar heroics, quickening valiantly between horses under pressure to lead close home and beat her fellow Japanese raider by a short head.

Russian Emperor ran the race of his life for Douglas Whyte and Blake Shinn to finish a length away in third, while British raider Dubai Honour never looked like becoming the first European runner to win the Cup since Snow Fairy in 2010 but stayed on powerfully for fourth once in the clear for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

Three years on from seeing his star filly Lys Gracieux beaten narrowly by Exultant in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m), winning trainer Yoshito Yahagi was completing an incredible end to 2021 which has also produced a 50-1 Breeders' Cup Distaff success for Marche Lorraine and a commanding Japan Cup success for his superstar colt Contrail.

The colorful 60-year-old was unable to accompany Loves Only You on the final leg of her journey but his stable representative Yusaku Oka was on hand to savor a perfect finale.

“I'm so glad to win this race for our trainer, who is watching on in Japan,” he said.

“She won the Breeders' Cup very well and in the spring she came over here and had a good result, so we were always confident she would run well.

“She's got a good pedigree – so we are looking forward to the next stage of her career – and as we have quite a lot of good horses in the stable we hope we will be back in Hong Kong with them in the future.”

Dusk was gathering over Sha Tin as an elated Kawada left the racecourse on a day that illustrated every aspect of the joy and pain that defines racing at the highest level.

The sun is also setting on Loves Only You's racing career but, if the 2021 edition of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races confirmed one thing, it is that the Land of the Rising Sun is now a true powerhouse on the global racing stage.

Following in the footsteps of A Shin Hikari, Maurice, Win Bright, and Normcore, this success for Loves Only You means Japan has now won five of the last seven Hong Kong Cups and four of the eight HKIR races run in the last two years.

HKJC racecaller Mark McNamara summed up the latest thrilling finish to Hong Kong's most cherished prize by saying: “It's Japan 1-2, Loves Only You says sayonara with the Cup!”

Leave them wanting more is never a bad motto. But, who knows, maybe Japan's latest Cup queen will have a son or daughter to represent her on the LONGINES HKIR stage in years to come.

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 86 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Sealiway was last seen only 13 days ago when finishing fifth in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Trained by Cedric Rossi, the 3-year-old colt came from off the pace to lead in the straight and dug deep to hold off a late challenge from Dubai Honour (IRE). The eventual winner was three-quarters of a length clear under jockey Mickael Barzalona in a pulsating finish. The Irish-trained Mac Swiney (IRE) kept on for third, with favorite Mishriff (IRE) back in fourth.

Following his success, Barzalona said: “It is great to be part of this big event and I have been lucky with this horse. It is the beginning and he deserved to prove his talent like he did today. The team were very confident – it was tough race, but he did it well.”

Off at 12/1, Sealiway, a chestnut son of Galiway (GB) out of the Kendargent (FR) mare Kensea (FR), finished the 1 ¼ miles in 2:08:31 over a course listed as good to soft, and soft in places.

Baaeed dominates Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Shadwell Estate Company's Baaeed (GB) retained his unbeaten record by winning the one-mile Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO). The victory secured the son of Frankel (GB) an automatic starting position and fees paid into this year's $2 million Grade 1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

Baaeed (2/1), trained by William Haggas and ridden by Jim Crowley, traveled strongly throughout the race and showed a sparkling turn of foot in an exciting finish. The 3-year-old held off favorite Palace Pier (GB) by a neck, with Lady Bowthorpe (GB) running another big race in third.

Crowley, speaking after the race, said: “He's just a beast, he just keeps on getting better. The ground is a bit slow for him. I think [if there was] quicker ground, he would have probably picked up a bit better, but he's come a long way in a short space of time. He's a proper champion.”

Baaeed, a bay son of Sea The Stars (IRE) out of the Kingmambo mare Aghareed, finished the 1-mile in 1:42:57.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Sealiway to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf and Baaeed to start in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, which will both be run on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winners must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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Hannon said he is confident that Mojo Star will prove his Derby run to be no fluke and said, “He was always a very laid-back horse. I thought he was a nice horse, but didn't know he was a very good horse. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he was beaten at Newbury earlier this season. I managed to get both him and Snow Lantern beaten on the same day and I thought 'this is going to be a long year'. In hindsight, he's a very big horse and he's grown. It was a bit of a leap of faith putting him in the Derby, but as soon as he pulled up at Newbury I thought he was a Derby horse if I'd ever seen one.”

“We got a bit held up on Tattenham Corner–we were travelling very well and the ground he was making at the line was very pleasing,” Hannon added. “I think this track will suit him a lot more. I was delighted with second and he was a running-on second. We're hardly synonymous with Derby horses. I remember one year at school my dad had the favourite and second-favourite and they were last and second-last. I used to go to the Irish Derby with a few mates from Ireland as a kid. We took Alriffa one year and he wasn't good enough, but to have one with a chance is great.”

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Also among the 17 remaining entries are G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and the G1 Cazoo Derby second and third Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Listed Cocked Hat S. winner Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will represent Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm, with Frankie Dettori set to pick up the mount.

Fernando Vichi (Ire) (Australia {GB}) will look to give Donnacha O'Brien his first Irish Derby as a trainer, while O'Brien's brother Joseph will be represented by Southern Lights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Earlswood (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is set to be a first Irish Derby runner for Johnny Murtagh, who won the race four times as a jockey.

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Beginning with Bolshoi Ballet, it is safe to say that Aidan O'Brien has not delivered as obvious a Derby talent since 2009 when Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) went through the G3 Ballysax S. and G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial with similarly authoritarian poise. Before him, Galileo, High Chaparral (Ire) and Yeats (Ire) also took that “old school” route with injury interjecting to stop the last of that trinity from following up in this prestige event. Bolshoi Ballet has the look of his sire–who also went it alone in 2001–about him and the dramatic show of faith that his team have placed in him speaks volumes. “He was always going to have those two races in the spring after travelling as a 2-year-old and he's very uncomplicated and relaxed, stays and quickens,” O'Brien said. “He has a very good mind and does everything right. He's happy to sit in or make the running–that's the way he's always been. You're never sure about anything and it is a new track for him, but Leopardstown is left-handed. Obviously it's not as extreme as Epsom, but you have to quicken and you have to go left and down the hill and up the hill and all that kind of stuff. We always thought he would stay, but he's a very good-moving horse with plenty of class and speed so the rain is not ideal. He did handle it okay in France last year and didn't fold up, so hopefully he'll be able to cope with it. It's another chapter in his career, so it will be interesting and we'll learn a lot from it.”

Remarkably, Ryan Moore has not ridden the stable's last three Derby winners and must have been downhearted to miss out to Frankie in both the English fillies' Classics so far, but there is no danger of being on the wrong one this time. “I don't see the extra two furlongs here being a problem and he is just a straightforward and very classy colt. Straightforward is what you want around here, while his draw in nine is just fine. If he runs to his form and the level we expect, then he should be going close but this is a Derby and you can't be complacent, especially against a whole host of unexposed horses as he faces here.”

Just a cursory glance at the racing results from March to now show that Ireland has a genuine edge over Britain across the board under both flat and National Hunt codes and therefore it is no surprise that Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and Bolshoi Ballet enter this Classic as officially the two top-rated colts. Mac Swiney upset his own stable's G1 2000 Guineas hero Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Curragh equivalent a fortnight ago and did so coming off a far-from-ideal preparation having scoped dirty after his below-par return in Bolshoi Ballet's G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown May 9. Friday's prolonged rainfall will have been a welcome sight to Jim Bolger, with the homebred seeming to excel on easy ground and he has everything in place for a big effort now. “You know how well he was a couple of weeks ago and he came out of that race very well and he's been fine since,” his owner, breeder and trainer said.

It is 27 years since the Shadwell silks were carried to success here, with the John Dunlop-trained Erhaab swooping five years after the great Nashwan had opened the operation's account. There have been few more visually stunning winners than the William Haggas-trained Mohaafeth in the May 1 Listed Newmarket S., an early prep which last saw the Derby hero in 1985 as Slip Anchor (GB) took it in en route. One of a Frankel trio with live chances, his five-length success in that four-runner contest in which at least two rivals under-performed is of either major or little significance and it will be impossible to tell until they have passed the post here. What he does have is a beautiful pedigree and temperament and all of the potential it is possible to possess. It is fair to say that of all the main principals, Mohaafeth was the one with connections least wanting this type of ground and their sense of anticipation has been dampened.

Ed Dunlop may not have trained an abundance of high-profile horses throughout his career, but most of his profession can only dream of having a Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) or Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab). That the former has already produced a Derby winner in Australia (GB) only means that the onus on Snow Fairy is greater as her John Leeper enters this renowned theatre. When giving the dam's first colt his title, Cristina Patino was exercising the kind of prescience that graced the late Khalid Abdullah as he bestowed the name Frankel on his greatest Thoroughbred prize. John Leeper has come though the initial stage of his career fully justifying his owner-breeder's bold call and his deceptively impressive win in the May 15 Listed Fairway S. at Newmarket has only served to augment the level of enthusiasm surrounding the handsome homebred.

“It is probably one of the more interesting stories of the race. Having a horse named after my father is very exciting and it creates a little bit of pressure for everyone, but at the moment the horse has no idea there is any pressure on him so hopefully we can enjoy it,” Dunlop commented. “Of course it is quite emotional as well and it would be a great day if he could go on and win the Derby. The trip should be up his street, because his mum won the Oaks. I'd be surprised if there was any problem with the trip.”

Frankel's prospects of a first Derby winner are significantly boosted by the presence of Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who comes here as the winner of York's G2 Dante S. May 13. Although the importance of that extended 10-furlong prep has tended to wax and wane over time, the subsequent exploits of its winners Golden Horn (GB), Authorized (Ire), Motivator (GB) and North Light (Ire) and of the beaten Workforce (GB) have upheld its reputation as a blue riband trial of significance. Hurricane Lane showed a tenacity there which will stand him in good stead, especially with Friday's rain coming in the nick of time for the unbeaten chestnut. “As we saw in the Dante, his best work was in the last couple of hundred yards. Everything bodes well to step him up to a mile and a half and it might bring about further improvement,” Charlie Appleby said. “He lacks racing experience, but he has done well since York and one of his great attributes is he is laid-back. Sometimes, the occasion can get to horses on Derby Day but I don't think it will be any problem to him. I thought he showed character in the Dante. He's a colt you can put anywhere in a race, so he should adapt to any tactical moves.”

With the drastic change in the going, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Godolphin's Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who were first and second in the May 8 Lingfield Derby Trial staged on soft ground, come into play. It is also a boost to Teme Valley's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Gear Up (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) who was fifth in the Dante, and to Godolphin's G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was 3/4-of-a-length second to Mac Swiney in the G1 Futurity Trophy on heavy ground in October.

Third Realm's trainer Roger Varian said, “He's not a big horse, he's a small-to-medium colt. He's very well-balanced, he's got gate speed and I'm quite confident he's going to get the trip. He's versatile, he can relax in behind horses and has shown a turn of foot. He's pretty straightforward and I think he's the type of horse Andrea [Atzeni] could put anywhere, which is comforting, going into a race like this.”

Appleby said of his other duo, “One Ruler had a very good two-year-old profile. He was never out of the first three in five starts and the form with Mac Swiney, who recently won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is very solid. I am confident he will be one of the last to come off the bridle. The trip is a big question mark, but if he is going to get a mile and a half he has got a good chance of getting it around Epsom. Adayar gained valuable experience in the two trials, particularly at Lingfield, where he fought on well. He will see out the trip really well. He is lightly-raced and with maturity will be a nice type. Placed in two Derby trials, he is worthy of his place in the field.”

The two supporting races, the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. for fillies and mares, and the G3 Diomed S., take place over an extended mile and in the latter Juddmonte's Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) will provide a last clue ahead of the main feature. Second to Hurricane Lane in a 10-furlong conditions event at Newbury Apr. 16, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained homebred had Tasman Bay (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) back in third on that occasion and that rival went on to be second to John Leeper in the Fairway. A son of Frankel's half-sister Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Maximal has his own agenda to work to and despite a few reversals he remains a colt of importance to his breeding operation dropping back in trip.

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