Harzand Brother Among Derby Entries

Last year's Derby winner Harzand | Racing Post

A total of 129 3-year-olds remain eligible for the G1 Investec Derby on June 3 after this week's scratching deadline. Dermot Weld and the Aga Khan, who won last year's Derby with Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), have left that one's younger half-brother Haripour (Ire) (Shamardal) engaged. The colt was second in a Gowran maiden on Oct. 18 in his only start.

Aidan O'Brien, whose most recent of five Derby wins was in 2014 with Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), is the most represented trainer with 27 remaining eligible, headed by 2-year-old champion and ante-post favourite Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Other Ballydoyle contenders include Haripour's maiden conqueror Sir John Lavery (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G2 Beresford S. one-two Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Yucatan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Andre Fabre is the most recent French trainer to win the Derby, saddling Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) to victory in 2011, and headlining his four contenders is G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

Godolphin has 21 engaged, including impressive Sandown maiden winner Atty Persse (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Andrew Cooper, head of racing and clerk of the course at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said, “It is very pleasing to see 129 horses going forward for the 2017 Investec Derby at this stage. There are no surprise defections, with strong representation from Ireland and France, while last year's champion 2-year-old Churchill heads the main contenders as Aidan O'Brien seeks a sixth Investec Derby success. We are delighted to be staging the race with the richest prize fund ever in Britain, as the Investec Derby is worth £1.5-million at Epsom Downs on June 3.”

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