“For me, there is no doubt the Derby is the most important race of all. The whole thoroughbred breed is measured by the Derby – because it’s the most gruelling race and tough on horses.
“It’s left and it’s right and they have to stay and handle everything – it just tests a horse in every way. Everyone knows Epsom is an unusual track and it’s the ultimate test for them really.” ~ trainer Aidan O’Brien, The Irish Mirror
Fourteen fillies were declared for the Group 1 Epsom Oaks to be run Friday at Epsom Downs in Surrey, England while the field for the Epsom Derby on June 5 is still firming up. Both races are sponsored by auto dealer Cazoo.
Favoured SANTA BARBARA is one of five in the field for one of the world’s top trainers, Aidan O’Brien. The Camelot filly made a big impression when winning on her racecourse debut at the Curragh in September and was a major gamble for last month’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket amid reports of scintillating workouts on the Ballydoyle gallops.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge had to make do with minor honours in fourth over the Rowley Mile, but is once again strongly fancied to claim Classic glory at the second attempt.
Santa Barbara is joined by four stable companions in Snowfall, Divinely, Willow and La Joconde. Snowfall earned her place with victory in the Musidora Stakes at York, while Lingfield Oaks Trial fourth Divinely has been the subject of significant market support this week.
Archie Watson’s Kentucky bred Sherbet Lemon, a daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid, Roger Varian’s Save A Forest and Hugo Palmer’s Ocean Road finished first, second and third at Lingfield and are all in contention once again.
The Derby favourite is BOLSHOI BALLET (Galileo – Alta Anna by Anabaa), one of six early possible entrants for O’Brien of 19 still on the list of starters for Saturday’s classic.
The impeccably-bred JOHN LEEPER (Frankel – Snow Fairy) is getting a lot of attention as the dark bay colt was named after trainer Ed Dunlop’s father:
🗨️"He would have been honoured…and probably quite amused now"@EdDunlopRacing goes for Cazoo Derby glory with the horse named after his father, JOHN LEEPER.
We caught up with the trainer ahead of Saturday as the team prepare for the big day @EpsomRacecourse pic.twitter.com/kCJhgld4SH
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) June 1, 2021
June 4 – 4:30 pm £395,000 Cazoo Oaks (Group 1)
(British Champions Series) 1m 4f 6y
1 Divinely (IRE) 3 9 0 Aidan O’Brien Ireland Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Jockey TBC
2 Dubai Fountain (IRE) 3 9 0 Mark Johnston Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Franny Norton
3 La Joconde (IRE) 3 9 0 Aidan O’Brien Ireland M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg Jockey TBC
4 Mystery Angel (IRE) 3 9 0 George Boughey Nick Bradley Racing 27 & Partner Ben Curtis
5 Ocean Road (IRE) 3 9 0 Hugo Palmer Qatar Racing Limited Oisin Murphy
6 Saffron Beach (IRE) 3 9 0 Jane Chapple-Hyam Mrs B. V. Sangster, J Wigan & O Sangster Adam Kirby
7 Santa Barbara (IRE) 3 9 0 Aidan O’Brien Ireland Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg Jockey TBC
8 Save A Forest (IRE) 3 9 0 Roger Varian The Gredley Family Callum Shepherd
9 Sherbet Lemon (USA) 3 9 0 Archie Watson Apple Tree Stud Hollie Doyle
10 Snowfall (JPN) 3 9 0 Aidan O’Brien Ireland Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Jockey TBC
11 Technique 3 9 0 Martyn Meade Mantonbury Stud Sean Levey
12 Teona (IRE) h 3 9 0 Roger Varian Mr Ali Saeed David Egan
13 Willow (IRE) 3 9 0 Aidan O’Brien Ireland Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Jockey TBC
14 Zeyaadah (IRE) 3 9 0 Roger Varian Shadwell Estate Company Ltd Jim Crowley
14 runners
Read more here.
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