Dubai: Stamina, toughness, class and form are cited as the key requisites to win an Epsom Derby (G1) and the connections of the 16 runners contesting Saturday’s race will be hoping that their contenders possess some of those vital qualities.
Of the lot, stamina and perhaps even resilience are the more important requirements given the fact that the majority of the three-year-olds in the race are running over the 2,400m trip for the first time in their careers.
And then there is the Epsom factor. The Berkshire course is notoriously difficult to handle and has undone the competencies of many potential winners
In short, the horse that survives the many challenges that the historic race throws at him, has the best chance of triumphing and joining an illustrious list of champions that include Hyperion, Mill Reef, Shergar, Slip Anchor and Galileo.
Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour is hoping that True Story is one such horse.
An imperious seven-length winner of the Feilden Stakes in May, before failing to fire in the Dante Stakes, True Story goes into the race with genuine claims.
“I’m really happy with him, but the key is we don’t want the ground to be too soft,” he said. “The horse is well, physically we are happy now, he’s improved a lot and I think a mile and a half will be really good for him. I’m hoping the pace will be quick, as a Derby usually is, and the rest is up to Kieren Fallon, who knows how to ride the Epsom track.”
Godolphin are also represented by the Charlie Appleby-trained Sudden Wonder, the mount of 2008 winning jockey Kevin Manning, and Pinzolo, who will be ridden by six-time Group 1 winning jockey James Doyle.
Meanwhile, British champion jockey Richard Hughes partners Romsdal, who is owned by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The fifth runner in the race boasting Dubai connections is the William Haggas-trained Our Channel, winner of the Investec Derby Trial back in April, who is owned by Emirati businessman Abdullah Al Mansouri.
Top Irish handler Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Epsom Classic four times (Galileo in 2001, High Chaparral in 2002, Camelot in 2012 and Ruler Of The World in 2013) and saddles four runners, including the well-bred Australia, who is by 2001 Derby winner Galileo and out of 2004 Oaks winner Ouija Board.
O’Brien is also responsible for Geoffrey Chaucer, Kingfisher and Orchestra.
Another interesting contender is the Roger Varian-trained Kingston Hill, the only Group 1 winner in the race, with that victory coming in the Racing Post Trophy last season.
