Recent totesport.com Dante Stakes victor Tartan Bearer is one of 21 remaining entries for the 2008 Vodafone Derby. The £1,250,000 contest takes place over 12 furlongs at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 7.
Tartan Bearer will be bidding to emulate North Light who followed up his Group Two York success for owner Ballymacoll Stud and trainer Sir Michael Stoute when landing the 2004 Vodafone Derby. If successful, Tartan Bearer (a full-brother to the 2001 Vodafone Derby runner-up Golan) would give Newmarket-based Stoute his fifth Vodafone Derby success following on from Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003) and the aforementioned North Light. Stoute has also left in Tajaaweed, successful in the Group Three Dee Stakes at Chester last time out.
Curtain Call could attempt to give Newmarket handler Luca Cumani his third Vodafone Derby triumph following Kahyasi (1988) and High-Rise (1998). The Sadler's Wells colt won comfortably on his reappearance at Nottingham last month but side-stepped his next intended engagement in the Lingfield Derby Trial due to unsuitable ground.
There are eight Irish-trained contenders remaining. Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, who saddled Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) to victory at Epsom Downs, has seven entries going forward including Henrythenavigator, hero of the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas, Lingfield Derby Trial victor Alessandro Volta and Dante Stakes runner-up Frozen Fire. The O'Brien septet also includes Achill Island, Bashkirov, King Of Rome and Washington Irving. Last season, the master of Ballydoyle ran no less than eight horses in the Vodafone Derby.
New Approach is the other remaining Irish-trained entry. The Galileo colt finished runner-up to Henrythenavigator on his seasonal reappearance in the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas and the pair are due to re-oppose in tomorrow's Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. However, trainer Jim Bolger today revealed that New Approach was left in the Vodafone Derby in error and will not be lining up on June 7.
Empery in 1976 was the last French-trained Derby winner and the best hope of a first French victory in 32 years would appear to rest with Ripple, owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. The son of Rock Of Gibraltar finished runner-up in the Group Two Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on May 12. The Aga Khan could also be represented by the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained Montmartre, a winner at Longchamp last month. The third French-trained entry is the rank outsider Maidstone Mixture from the Richard Chotard yard.
The Maktoum family's Godolphin operation has two contenders going forward with recent French 2,000 Guineas runner-up Rio De La Plata and last season's Group One Racing Post Trophy hero Ibn Khaldun.
Henry Cecil has sent out no less than four Derby heroes in Slip Anchor (1985), Reference Point (1987), Commander In Chief (1993) and Oath (1999) and the master of Warren Place has one entry going in Kandahar Run, successful in the Listed Newmarket Stakes last month.
The four other remaining entries are the Mark Tompkins-trained Alan Devonshire, Bouguereau, who represents dual Vodafone Derby winning trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, Bronze Cannon from the John Gosden yard and Feared In Flight, trained by Barry Hills.
There is one final chance for horses to be added to the Vodafone Derby at the five-day confirmation stage on Monday, June 2, when there is also a £75,000 supplementary entry stage. Connections have indicated that Doctor Fremantle, successful in the Group Three Chester Vase on May 8, will be a supplementary entry while impressive Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victor Casual Conquest would also have to be supplemented if he were to line up at Epsom Downs on June 7.
25 GO FORWARD FOR JUDDMONTE OAKS - BURKE DREAMING OF GLORY WITH MIRACLE SEEKER
No less than 25 high-class fillies (up from 18 at the same stage in 2007) are still engaged in the £350,000 Juddmonte Oaks following today's forfeit stage. The Classic takes place over a mile and a half at Epsom Downs on Ladies Day, Friday, June 6.
Miracle Seeker, trained by Clive Cox, completed her preparation for the Juddmonte Oaks with a courageous pillar to post victory in the Listed Oaks Trial at Lingfield on May 10, when she proved three-quarters of a length too strong for Look Here. Prior to that effort, she finished third behind Clowance in a Newbury maiden on April 18.
The Rainbow Quest filly, a half-sister to the 2008 Champion Hurdle winner Katchit, is owned and was bred by Dominic Burke, who is based at Tetbury in Gloucestershire.
Burke said today: "Miracle Seeker will line-up in the Juddmonte Oaks. She's bouncing, eating up and she's put on weight since her win at Lingfield. We think she's come on quite a bit with each race.
"She had to make her own running at both Newbury and Lingfield and we think that she will be a better filly when she is near the front but not necessarily making her own running. I think they are perhaps underestimating her form in those races and she goes to Epsom Downs with a real live outsider's chance.
"Clive has always held her in high regard from the day she turned up at his yard and his landlord John Francome said the horse was his pick of the yard. I speak to Clive every other day and we are both excited about having our first Classic runner.
"We know that she will stay every yard of the distance, having won over 11 and a half furlongs and that she will go on any ground. She's a very settled filly and she travelled down the hill at Lingfield very well. The morning after that race she was kicking the door down, with no jarring or soreness.
"All of that family show a real willing attitude, just look her half-brother Katchit in this year's Champion Hurdle. When Miracle Seeker had to make all in that tacky ground and the headwind, she got her head down and was closing up again against Clowance.
"That was her first run for the season and we genuinely think she will be a better horse with a slight tow. She hasn't got a turn of foot, but she does possess gears and she's a real battler.
"Adam Kirby will take the ride. I thought he rode a wonderful race at Lingfield when he stepped in for Philip Robinson, whose daughter was getting married that day. It would have been very hard to jock off Adam after such a nice ride and so he will definitely be in the saddle.
"She's a fantastic filly and we are all very excited. We know she will handle the track and the ground and stay the distance. It will be a great thrill for all of us to see her take her chance in the Juddmonte Oaks."
The Irish appear to hold a very strong hand and account for no less than 15 of the remaining entries.
Currently heading the market for the fillies' Classic is the Jim Bolger-trained Lush Lashes, who was so impressive when landing the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York on May 14. The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Cape Amber, runner-up to Lush Lashes at York, is also still engaged while Bolger could also run recent Curragh Group Three winner Prima Luce.
The Irish-trained contingent also includes the John Oxx-trained Katiyra, who shaped well over a mile in the Group Three 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on May 11 and Dermot Weld's duo of Chinese White, a comfortable winner of a Listed contest at Gowran on May 4, and Mad About You who twice finished third in Group One company last year.
Aidan O'Brien has 10 entries going forward including Cheshire Oaks heroine Sail, the 2007 Group Two Rockfel Stakes winner Kitty Matcham, Musidora Stakes fourth Moonstone, recent Group Three Blue Wind Stakes scorer Adored as well as Halfway To Heaven, Ice Queen, Love To Dance, Savethisdanceforme, Soinlovewithyou and Tiffany Diamond.
Jean-Claude Rouget supplies the one remaining French entry, Honorlina.
Clowance has been the subject of good ante-post support this week after her decisive victory in the Listed Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury on May 16, while Michita entered the Juddmonte Oaks picture following her triumph in the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday. Her trainer John Gosden could also be represented by Dar Re Mi, third behind Lush Lashes and Cape Amber at York.
The other entries going forward are Cheshire Oaks runner-up Sugar Mint, Shy and Try Me.
There is a £20,000 supplementary entry stage for the Juddmonte Oaks at the five-day confirmation stage on May 31.
LATEST GROUND
Andrew Cooper, Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing at Epsom Downs, said today: "The course at Epsom Downs is in good condition and at present the ground is generally good to firm.
"The forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend is for unsettled conditions, with the chance of rain on Sunday and Monday."
THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY
Class 1, Group 1, £1,250,000 Total Prize Fund, Epsom Downs, Saturday, June 7, 2008. For three-year-olds only, entire colts & fillies, one mile & four furlongs. Entries closed December 6, 2006, (465 entries). First forfeit stage March 4, 2008 (125 remained), £8,000 second entry stage April 8, 2008 (13 second entries), second forfeit stage May 23, 2008 (21 remain), £75,000 supplementary entry stage June 2, 2008. Confirmation stage June 2, 2008, final declaration stage 10am, June 5, 2008. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Thursday, May 22, 2008. May not include some overseas form.
Form Horse Owner Trainer
22122-63 ACHILL ISLAND (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1223-4 ALAN DEVONSHIRE Russell Trew Ltd Mark Tompkins
031-41 ALESSANDRO VOLTA Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
34-53 BASHKIROV Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
043-120 BOUGUEREAU Andrew Black Peter Chapple-Hyam
(0)(1)(1)-1 BRONZE CANNON (USA) Anthony Oppenheimer John Gosden
62215-1 CURTAIN CALL (FR) Mrs Patrick Cooper and Partners Luca Cumani
13603-34 FEARED IN FLIGHT (IRE) Jack Hanson, Cavendish Inv Ltd, Sandy Patrick Barry Hills
10-2 FROZEN FIRE (GER) Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
1123-1 HENRYTHENAVIGATOR (USA) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
41111-0 IBN KHALDUN (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
211-21 KANDAHAR RUN Gestut Ammerland Henry Cecil
010-52 KING OF ROME (IRE) Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
36(0)-(5)(3)0(3) MAIDSTONE MIXTURE (FR) Fergus Wilson Richard Chotard FR
-21 MONTMARTRE (FR) H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
11111-2 NEW APPROACH (IRE) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan Jim Bolger IRE
311214-2 RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
2-112 RIPPLE (FR) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR
10-1 TAJAAWEED (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
2-11 TARTAN BEARER (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
4-22 WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
21 entries remain after May 23 forfeit stage
8 Irish-trained
3 French-trained
THE FOLLOWING 117 HORSES WERE REMOVED AT THE MAY 23 FORFEIT STAGE: AATHER (IRE), ALANDI (IRE), ALEXANDROS, BARKING WOLF (IRE), BETTER HAND (IRE), BLACK TOR FIGARRO (IRE), BLIMEY O'RILEY (IRE), BRIGHT FALCON, BY COMMAND, CAPE EXPRESS (IRE), CARLIOR (FR), CASINO DRIVE (USA), CATS IN BOOTS (IRE), CENTENNIAL (IRE), CHAMPAGNE SQUALL (IRE), CHECKLOW (USA), CITY LEADER (IRE), COFFEE TEA OR ME, COLLECTION (IRE), CONFRONT, DAARTH, DAASIJ (IRE), DANCERS DILEMMA (IRE), DECREE (IRE), DELTA BRAVO (FR), DIVINE SONG, DUNCAN, EMMROOZ, EQBAAL, ETOSHA (IRE), FAST COMPANY (IRE), FATEH FIELD (USA), FOOLIN MYSELF, FRENCH RIVIERA, GAIA PRINCE (USA), GALIYAN, GIANT AMONG MEN (USA), GIANT LOVE (USA), GREAT RUMPUSCAT (USA), HANOVERIAN BARON, HAWAANA, HAWK FLIGHT (IRE), HELLZAPOPPIN, HINDU KUSH (IRE), HOUGHTON (IRE), INTERNATIONALDEBUT (IRE), KADABI (IRE), KALAN (FR), KING OF QUEENS (IRE), KING O'THE GYPSIES (IRE), KING OF WESTPHALIA (USA), KINGDOM OF NAPLES (USA), LATIN LAD, LUCIFER SAM (USA), MAGISTRATE (IRE), MANYRIVERSTOCROSS (IRE), MASQ.OOL (USA), MAZE (IRE), MCCARTNEY (GER), MEYDAN CITY (USA), MIKHAIL FOKINE (IRE), MINNEAPOLIS, MOIQEN (IRE), MONTEVETRO, MOUNTAIN PRIDE (IRE), MUT'AB (USA), MYSTERY STAR (IRE), NATIONAL HERITAGE, NAWAKHIDA (USA), NEMO SPIRIT (IRE), NISAAL (IRE), NORTH PARADE, OMNICAT (USA), OPTIMUS MAXIMUS (IRE), PATKAI (IRE), PLAN (USA), POET, PRIME EXHIBIT, QANAWAAT, RED SHOOTER (IRE), RESPLENDENT LIGHT, RIDGE DANCE, ROCK PEAK (IRE), SAINGLEND, SAVARAIN, SCHOPENHAUER (USA), SILVER REGENT (USA), SINDAJAN (IRE), SLANEY WAVE (IRE), SLIGO, SMOOTH SOVEREIGN (IRE), SPARK CANDLE (USA), SPECIAL RESERVE (IRE), ST JEAN CAP FERRAT, TALE OF TWO CITIES (IRE), TAMAYUZ, TCHAIKOVSKY (JPN), THE BOGBERRY (USA), THE TARTAN ARMY (IRE), THEWAYYOUARE (USA), THREE ROCKS (IRE), TILABAY (IRE), TIMARI (IRE), TWICE OVER, VASCO MARENGO, VIA GALILEI (IRE), VIVALDI (IRE), WASSILY KANDINSKY, WATER BOYS (USA), WILLIAM HOGARTH, WINTERCAST, YAHRAB (IRE), YATHREB (USA), YELLOW THUNDER (IRE), YOUNG PRETENDER (FR), ZAFRANAGAR (IRE), ZULU CHIEF (USA)
THE 2008 JUDDMONTE OAKS
Class 1, Group 1, £350,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.05pm, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 6, 2008. For three-year-old fillies only. One mile, four furlongs. Weights: 9st each. Entries closed March 18, entries revealed March 19 (91 entries), second forfeit stage May 23, 2008 (25 remain), £20,000 supplementary entry stage and six-day confirmation stage May 31, final declaration stage 10.00am, June 4. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and include the racing up to and including Thursday, May 15.
FORM HORSE OWNER TRAINER
5-011 ADORED (IRE) Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-2 CAPE AMBER (IRE) Five Horses Ltd Peter Chapple-Hyam
1-1 CHINESE WHITE (IRE) Lady O'Reilly Dermot Weld IRE
4-1 CLOWANCE Seasons Holidays Roger Charlton
21-23 HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-(0) HONORLINA (FR) H H Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget FR
(5)6-6(0)14 ICE QUEEN (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-2 KATIYRA (IRE) H H Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
44011-0 KITTY MATCHAM (IRE) Diane Nagle & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-2 LOOK HERE Julian Richmond-Watson Ralph Beckett
0-0 LOVE TO DANCE (IRE) Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-061 LUSH LASHES Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
1233- MAD ABOUT YOU (IRE) Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
1-01 MICHITA (USA) Stonerside Stable LLC John Gosden
-641 MILTON OF CAMPSIE Willie McKay Stewart Parr
23-31 MIRACLE SEEKER Dominic Burke Clive Cox
-24 MOONSTONE Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE
5510-1 PRIMA LUCE (IRE) Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
0-21 SAIL (IRE) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
340(1)41-20 SAVETHISDANCEFORME (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
(3)-2 SHY Jenny Willment Peter Winkworth
604010-0 SOINLOVEWITHYOU (USA) Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
246-12 SUGAR MINT (IRE) Rick Barnes Barry Hills
055-0222 TIFFANY DIAMOND (IRE) Anne Marie O'Brien Aidan O'Brien IRE
3-(3)(2)5 TRY ME (UAE) Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
25 entries remain after May 23 forfeit stage
15 Irish-trained
1 French-trained
THE FOLLOWING 66 HORSES WERE REMOVED AT THE MAY 23 FORFEIT STAGE: ALBABILIA (IRE), ALBAROUCHE, ALBISOLA (IRE), ALMOUTEZAH (USA), AMANJENA, ANGELS STORY (IRE), BEYOND COMPARE (IRE), BLESSING (USA), CLASSIC LEGEND, CLASSIC REMARK (IRE), COMEBACK QUEEN, CRUEL SEA (USA), DANCING ABBIE (USA), DAR RE MI, DESERT CHILL (USA), DOLLY PENROSE, DOVE (IRE), DUBAI POWER, EBALISTA (IRE), ELMALEEHA, EMAIL, FESTOSO (IRE), GAGNOA (IRE), GENTLE ON MY MIND (IRE), HOLD ME LOVE ME (IRE), HONORIA (IRE), ICON PROJECT (USA), ISLAND VISTA, JANE AUSTEN (IRE), JUNIPER BERRY (IRE), KITTY HAWK MISS (IRE), LAUGHTER (IRE), LAURELDEAN GALE (USA), LISTEN (IRE), MARJALINA (IRE), MASIYMA (IRE), MAX ONE TWO THREE (IRE), MAZLOMA (USA), MONTBRETIA, MY DARK ROSALEEN, MYSTICAL LADY (IRE), PERIHELION (IRE), PROVISO, PSALM (IRE), QASAYED (USA), QUARAYED (USA), QUEEN OF NAPLES, QUEEN OF THE NIGHT, QUOTATION, ROSA GRACE, SCREEN STAR (IRE), SENSE OF JOY, SIMAWA (IRE), SIYABONA (USA), SIYASA (USA), SOLAS NA GREINE (IRE), SORTITA (GER), SOVEREIGN'S HONOUR (USA), SPACIOUS, SUMMERCOVE (IRE), SWEET SIXTEEN (IRE), TEACHT AN EARRAIG (USA), TIME CONTROL, WHISPERED DREAMS (GER), YOU'RESOTHRILLING (USA), ZARKAVA (IRE)
