Epsom Derby

derby entries 2008 /

Epsom Derby 2008 - Six of the Best

CURTAIN CALL (FR)

c Sadler's Wells (USA) - Aspara (FR) (Darshaan)
Form: 62215- Owner: Mrs Patrick Cooper
Trainer: Luca Cumani Breeder: Famille Niarchos
Previously trained in Ireland by Jessica Harrington, the 60,000 guineas yearling Curtain Call found only New Approach too good on his third racecourse appearance in the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh. Despite entering the Group Two Beresford Stakes a month later as a maiden, the son of Sadler's Wells made every yard of the running to slam his rivals by at least four lengths. After a creditable fifth behind Ibn Khaldun in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, Curtain Call joined Luca Cumani and looks set try and give his new handler a third triumph in the Epsom Classic.

FOOLIN MYSELF (GB)

Montjeu (IRE) - Friendlier (Zafonic (USA))
Form: 51- Owner: Bill Gredley
Trainer: Barry Hills Breeder: Middle Park Stud Ltd
Bill Gredley's home-bred Foolin Myself, whose dam is a half-sister to the owner's Oaks and St Leger winner User Friendly, made a promising debut when finishing a staying-on fifth in a competitive seven furlong maiden at Newmarket in October. The son of Monjeu returned to the Suffolk course a month later and registered a comfortable victory over fellow Derby hopeful Tartan Bearer. Regarded by his trainer as a horse who will make a far better three-year-old over middle distances, Foolin Myself could have a similar preparation to last year's Derby winner Authorized, starting off in the Dante Stakes at York.

IBN KHALDUN (USA)

c Dubai Destination (USA) - Gossamer (Sadler's Wells (USA)
Form: 4111- Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor UAE Breeder: Darley
A colt who has risen through the ranks, losing his maiden tag at the second attempt before winning a nursery and then the seven-furlong Group Three Autumn Stakes at Ascot. Further progress followed two weeks later with a comprehensive victory in the mile Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, a race previously won in recent years by High Chaparral, Motivator and Authorized en route to Epsom glory.

KINGDOM OF NAPLES (USA)

c Sadler's Wells (USA) - Inkling (USA) (Seeking The Gold (USA))
Form: 1- Owner: Michael Tabor
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien IRE Breeder: Tower Bloodstock
A son of Sadler's Wells, responsible for recent Derby winners Galileo and High Chaparral, Kingdom Of Naples could not have been more impressive on his debut in a mile maiden at Navan in October. In a race which boasted some of the top juveniles from the yards of John Oxx, Dermot Weld and Jim Bolger, Kingdom Of Heaven cruised to the lead before posting a convincing three-length victory despite running green.

NEW APPROACH (IRE)

In a top notch renewal of the Dewhurst Stakes, Jim Bolger`s New Approach (Kevin Manning) won a hard fought victory from Fast Company (Ted Durcan red cap) and Ravens Pass (Jimmy Fortune) who were both previously unbeaten (Newmarket 20-10-07)
© racing-images.co.uk

c Galileo (IRE) - Park Express (Ahonoora)
Form: 11111- Owner: HRH Princess Haya Of Jordan
Trainer: Jim Bolger IRE Breeder: Lodge Park Stud
From the same stable as 2006 champion juvenile Teofilo, New Appproach - who cost 430,000 euros as a yearling - has followed an identical career path so far. An unbeaten 2007 campaign culminated in Group One victories over seven furlongs in the National Stakes at the Curragh and the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. The brilliant son of Galileo heads the market for both the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and Vodafone Derby and is now fully owned by Sheikh Mohammed, running in the colours of his wife Princess Haya of Jordan.

WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE)

c Montjeu (IRE) - Shouk (Shirley Heights)
Form : 4- Owner: Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor
Trainer Aidan O'Brien IRE Breeder: Quay Bloodstock
A three-parts brother to 2006 Oaks heroine Alexandrova by Montjeu, sire of the 2007 Vodafone Derby winner Authorized, Washington Irving has the pedigree to shine at Epsom Downs. He was touted as a Vodafone Derby candidate even before he made his debut in a seven-furlong maiden at the Curragh in October. He finished a creditable fourth in that race and looks set to be another typical Aidan O'Brien improver as a three-year-old, as the master of Ballydoyle seeks a third victory in the Vodafone Derby.