The Derby will be run at Epsom Downs for the 242nd time on Saturday 5th June and 115 three-year-olds go forward for the mile and a half Classic following the first scratchings deadline, details of which are revealed today.
Entries were initially made in December 2019 when horses were yearlings and this is the first scratchings stage since.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien gained a record eighth Derby winner with Serpentine in last year’s race and he accounts for 28 remaining entries in the 2021 renewal. These are headed by current ante-post favourite High Definition, impressive when winning both starts in 2020 including the Group Two Beresford Stakes, and Wembley, runner-up in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes.
Trainers Richard Hannon, Andrew Balding and Charlie Johnston (assistant to his father Mark) have assessed the chances of their 2021 Derby contenders, below.
The Derby is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Charlie Johnston - Gear Up
Won three out of his four starts in 2020, including Group Three Acomb Stakes at York and Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
“He hasn’t done anything fast yet as there is no real pressure with him as I can’t see him racing before the Dante. I think his early season campaign is pretty much set in stone with the Dante then the Derby. We are perfectly happy with him at the moment but we’ve not started turning the screw as there is no rush.
“It is great to have a Group One winning two year old who is pretty much 100 per cent certain will stay the Derby trip and he has got the class to go with it. It has been a while since we have had a Group One winning juvenile going into the following year with genuine Classic claims. He has form on better ground and you can be watching the weather forecast up to a big race but I wouldn’t mind it downpouring for him as we know he goes well in the soft. He handles whatever conditions you throw at him.
“He didn’t come down the dip at Newmarket but he was more a victim of how the race was run as it was a slow run mile and they quickened into the dip and it was that rather than the contours of the track that caught him out. He is a fairly hardy horse and he would not have any issue with the topography of the track at Epsom.”
Sea The Shells
Won All-Weather maiden by seven and a half lengths at Wolverhampton on 17th February.
“He has a huge way to go as it was only a novice race he won at Wolverhampton. Although he won it impressively we have to keep our feet on the ground.”
Richard Hannon – Etonian
Won first two starts, including Group Three Betway Solario Stakes at Sandown Park, but disappointed when 12th in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes
“Etonian was wheel-spinning the whole way on the heavy ground in the Dewhurst. I think Julie (Wood) the owner is quite keen on the Sandown Classic Trial for him. He certainly has the action of a horse that would get a trip so that is not going to be a problem but whether he handles the undulations of Epsom I don’t know at this stage. We will head to Sandown then make a plan from there. He has always been a big boy but he does have work to do on the back of his last run, albeit there was a reason behind that disappointment.”
Andrew Balding - Star Caliber
A son of 2015 Derby hero Golden Horn, won on debut at Goodwood in September
“He is a lovely horse that should stay well. Whether he is an Ascot horse or Epsom horse we are yet to find out. He did it well on his first run at Goodwood and he was staying on well. He should certainly get a mile and a half.”
THE DERBY (Group 1) EPSOM DOWNS 05/06/2021
Ace Aussie (IRE) 3 9 0 Zhang Yuesheng Mrs J. Harrington
Alpine Stroll (GB) 3 9 0 The LAM Partnership Ed de Giles
Alto Volante (GB) 3 9 0 Mr A. E. Oppenheimer William Haggas
Annandale (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr W. M. Johnstone Mark Johnston
Anthem (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Jon S. Kelly Mrs J. Harrington
Arthur's Realm (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Paul Turner Ed Dunlop
Arturo Toscanini (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Barenboim (GB) 3 9 0 W. J. and T. C. O. Gredley Michael Bell
Bashosh (IRE) 3 9 0 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Roger Varian
Beau Nash (IRE) 3 9 0 Godolphin John Gosden
Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien
Brazil (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien
Cadillac (IRE) 3 9 0 Alpha Racing 2020 Mrs J. Harrington
Carlisle Bay (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Cleveland (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Daramethos (IRE) 3 9 0 Godolphin John Gosden
Dayshann (FR) 3 9 0 H.H. Aga Khan Jean Claude Rouget
Defined (GB) 3 9 0 Cheveley Park Stud John Gosden
Derab (GB) 3 9 0 Juddmonte John Gosden
Dhushan (IRE) 3 9 0 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum William Haggas
Diverge (GB) 3 9 0 Mr George Strawbridge F. Head
Earlswood (GB) 3 9 0 G. Davies J. P. Murtagh
El Drama (IRE) 3 9 0 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian
Erzindjan (IRE) 3 9 0 H.H. Aga Khan D. K. Weld
Etonian (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs J. Wood Richard Hannon
Fernando Vichi (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs C. C. Regalado-Gonzalez Donnacha Aidan O'Brien
Flyin' High (GB) 3 9 0 Castle Down Racing Andrew Balding
Francesco Guardi (IRE) 3 9 0 The 4Letterfirstnames & Ballylinch Stud James Ferguson
Gear Up (IRE) 3 9 0 Teme Valley 2 Mark Johnston
Glen Again (IRE) 3 9 0 Teme Valley 2 Mark Johnston
Gloucestershire (USA) 3 9 0 Team Valor & Manton Park Martyn Meade
Grand Scheme (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs J. Wood Richard Hannon
Greatgadian (GER) 3 9 0 King Power Racing Co Ltd Roger Varian
Happy (IRE) 3 9 0 Crone Stud Farms Ltd Mark Johnston
Harvard (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Hector de Maris (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien
High Definition (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Hms Seahorse (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Imperial Sun (GB) 3 9 0 Isa Salman Al Khalifa John Gosden
Inigo Jones (GB) 3 9 0 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
Jaramillo (GB) 3 9 0 Teme Valley 2 & Partner Roger Varian
Jersey Gift (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr A. Taylor & Partner Jamie Osborne
John Leeper (IRE) 3 9 0 Anamoine Ltd Ed Dunlop
Judgment Call (GB) 3 9 0 Qatar Racing Limited David Simcock
Key To The Kingdom (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien
Khartoum (USA) 3 9 0 Mr Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien
King Creole (GB) 3 9 0 Miss Emily Asprey & Christopher Wright David Menuisier
King of The Castle (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Kingsofthemidlands (FR) 3 9 0 King Power Racing Co Ltd Andrew Balding
Kondo Isami (IRE) 3 9 0 Toshihiro Matsumoto & Partners Mark Johnston
Kyprios (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Latest Generation (GB) 3 9 0 Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum Simon & Ed Crisford
Law of The Sea (GB) 3 9 0 Godolphin John Gosden
Legend of Dubai (GB) 3 9 0 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian
Lenny's Spirit (FR) 3 9 0 Mr Paul Turner Ed Dunlop
Liffey River (FR) 3 9 0 Sun Bloodstock SARL Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Lone Eagle (IRE) 3 9 0 Ballylinch Stud Martyn Meade
Lord Marbury (IRE) 3 9 0 Ms Sally Elizabeth Wall Peter Chapple-Hyam
Lough Derg (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien
Lucky Vega (IRE) 3 9 0 Zhang Yuesheng Mrs J. Harrington
Maximal (GB) 3 9 0 Juddmonte Sir Michael Stoute
McPherson (GB) 3 9 0 Mill House LLC Mrs J. Harrington
Media Stream (GB) 3 9 0 Juddmonte A. Fabre
Mohaafeth (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum William Haggas
Ontario (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O'Brien
Parachute (GB) 3 9 0 Highclere Racing, T Vestey & P Silver Ed Walker
Percy's Lad (GB) 3 9 0 JD Partnership Eve Johnson Houghton
Pleasant Man (GB) 3 9 0 Brook Farm Bloodstock Roger Charlton
Polling Day (IRE) 3 9 0 Godolphin John Gosden
Port Philip (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Lloyd J. Williams Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Ratib (GB) 3 9 0 Mrs A. M. O'Brien Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Recovery Run (GB) 3 9 0 Another Bottle Racing 2 Andrew Balding
Rekero (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs A.M.O'Brien/Mark Dobbin/S.Hanson Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Ridgeway Avenue (USA) 3 9 0 Mr Lloyd J Williams James Ferguson
Roman Empire (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Royal Air Force (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Edward J. Ware Simon & Ed Crisford
Royal Champion (IRE) 3 9 0 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian
Ruling (GER) 3 9 0 Qatar Racing Limited Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Sandhurst (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien
San Martino (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Sayf Al Dawla (GB) 3 9 0 Ms Sally Elizabeth Wall Peter Chapple-Hyam
Scope (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr J. H. Richmond-Watson Ralph Beckett
Sea The Shells (GB) 3 9 0 Teme Valley 2 Mark Johnston
Seattle Creek (GB) 3 9 0 Mr Luke Comer Luke Comer
Seattle Sound (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Luke Comer Luke Comer
Set Point (IRE) 3 9 0 John Livock & Nat Lacy Hugo Palmer
Shaaher (GB) 3 9 0 Emirates Park PTY Ltd Kevin Ryan
Sir Lamorak (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Sir Lucan (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Sir William Bruce (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Southern Cape (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Donnacha Aidan O'Brien
Southern Lights (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs A. M. O'Brien Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Star Caliber (GB) 3 9 0 King Power Racing Co Ltd Andrew Balding
Stay Well (GB) 3 9 0 Ben & Sir Martyn Arbib Hughie Morrison
Surefire (GB) 3 9 0 Juddmonte Ralph Beckett
Surrey Gold (IRE) 3 9 0 Surrey Racing (SG) Hughie Morrison
Taipan (FR) 3 9 0 Mrs Fiona Carmichael Mrs J. Harrington
Tasman Bay (FR) 3 9 0 Sir Peter Vela Sir Mark Todd
The Guvnor (IRE) 3 9 0 The Rogues Gallery Tom Clover
The Mediterranean (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Third Realm (GB) 3 9 0 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian
Title (IRE) 3 9 0 Highclere Tbred Racing-Charles Church Roger Varian
Too Friendly (GB) 3 9 0 W. J. and T. C. O. Gredley George Scott
Trawlerman (IRE) 3 9 0 Godolphin John Gosden
Uncle Bryn (GB) 3 9 0 Chasemore Farm John Gosden
Van Gogh (USA) 3 9 0 Mr Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien
Vengeance (GB) 3 9 0 Mr J. F. Panvert Polly Gundry
Wake Up Harry (GB) 3 9 0 Mr Harry Redknapp Simon Dow
Wallem (GB) 3 9 0 AL RABBAN RACING & PARTNER Andrew Balding
Wembley (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien
Wordsworth (IRE) 3 9 0 Mr M. Tabor Aidan O'Brien
Wuqood (GB) 3 9 0 Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum D. K. Weld
Yarrawonga (IRE) 3 9 0 Mrs John Magnier Aidan O'Brien
Youth Spirit (IRE) 3 9 0 Ahmad Al Shaikh Andrew Balding
Zagato (GB) 3 9 0 Castle Down Racing John Gosden
Every race at every Epsom fixture can be watched live on Racing TV and then free and in full just 20 minutes after the conclusion of each race at thejockeyclub.co.uk/the-racing/race-replays/.
