Epsom Saturday 1st June 4.30pm
The Investec Derby (Group 1) Age: 3yo Colts & Fillies Distance: One mile four furlongs
Weights – 9st 0lb
History
Britain's richest horse race, and the most prestigious of the five Classics. It is sometimes referred to as the “Blue Riband” of the turf.
First run in 1780. The race is named after the 12th Earl of Derby. The very first race was won by Diomed owed by Sir Charles Bunbury a close friend of Lord Derby.
These days “Derby's” are found all over the world, Derby Italiano, Irish Derby, Kentucky Derby, Australian Derby to name just a few. But the English Derby at Epsom is the original, the daddy of them all.
The most successful jockey in the race was Lester Piggott with nine wins between 1954 and 1983.
Three trainers share the honours of having the most wins: Robert Robson (1793 – 1823), John Porter (1868 – 1899) and Fred Darling (1922 – 1941). Aidan O'Brien is close behind them with six wins to date the first being Galileo in 2001.
12 Year Statistics
Age – This Race is for three-year olds only.
Starting Price –
Ten of the last twelve winners returned a SP of 7/1 or less.
Last Run –
All of the last twelve winners finished in the first three last time, seven of them were winners.
Ten of the last twelve winners had a run within the last 35 days.
Course Form – None of the last twelve winners had raced at Epsom previously.
Distance Form –
Eleven of the last twelve winners had never previously run over one mile four furlongs previously. The exception won his race over the distance.
Flat Form –
All of the last twelve winners had at least one previous win.
Official Rating –
All of the last twelve winners had an official rating of at least 108.
Group Wins –
Ten of the last twelve winners had at least one win in a Group race.
Season Form –
All of the last twelve winners had at least one run in the current season, eight of them had won at least once that season.
LEADING CONTENDERS
SIR DRAGONET 3/1 – Unraced at two. Easy maiden winner at Tipperary on début. Impressive in the Group 3 Chester Vase last time eight lengths ahead of stablemate Norway.
BROOME 9/2 – Solid two year old form ending the campaign with a neck second in a French Group 1. Has won a pair of Group 3 races at Leopardstown this season and should stay this trip no problem.
TELECASTER 5/1 – Stepped up from his maiden win at Windsor to take the Group 2 Dante at York by a length from TOO DARN HOT. Every chance if he stays.
ANTHONY VAN DYCK 13/2 – Dual group race winner last season. Well in command winning the Lingfield Derby Trial last time. No stamina issues.
CONCLUSION
Aidan O’Brien runs eight of the fifteen strong field and holds most of the aces as he bids for his seventh Derby win. SIR DRAGONET is a worthy favourite but my preference is for
ANTHONY VAN DYCK 13/2 each way, this son of GALILEO is sure to stay
.
RESULT
??? ANTHONY VAN DYCK WINS THE DERBY ???
VIP Club Members were privy to this information on Wednesday three full days before the race.
yours in racing
Keith
