All the leading Epsom Derby (G1) contenders, including Kentucky-bred City of Troy and Ambiente Friendly , were among 20 horses who remained in contention for the Epsom Classic following the five-day forfeits May 27.
As expected, the Tom Clover-trained Tabletalk, a winner at Chelmsford this month, was supplemented at a cost of £75,000 ($96,000). James Doyle has been booked to ride.
Clover said: “He’s an improving horse and he’s worked better each time I’ve galloped him. I’m looking forward to running him. James Doyle is going to ride him and I expect he’ll come and have a sit on him.”
Market leader City of Troy, a son of Triple Crown winner Justify , heads Aidan O’Brien’s team as he bids to bounce back from his Two Thousand Guineas (G1) disappointment. He is set to be joined in the line-up by Leopardstown Derby Trial winner Los Angeles and outsider Euphoric . While O’Brien said they are likely to be his only three runners, the Ballydoyle trainer has also left in Illinois , French Two Thousand Guineas (G1) fourth Diego Velazquez , and Portland .
The Ballydoyle trainer is seeking a record-extending 10th Derby success and his undisputed number one remains City of Troy, despite the colt bombing out in the Two Thousand Guineas as the odds-on favorite. O’Brien has blamed himself for that tame effort, where he only beat two home and was beaten 17 lengths, as the master trainer feels his charge had been too fresh and may have ‘treated him like too much of a God’ in the lead-up to the race.
Despite that, City of Troy is as short as 7-4 to bounce straight back—as his stablemate Auguste Rodin did 12 months ago—after a whole host of potential dangers have fallen by the wayside.
“He’s very well and he was too fresh at Newmarket,” O’Brien said. “He’s been in good form since and everything has gone according to plan. We’re very happy.”
Leading British hopes Ambiente Friendly and Ancient Wisdom remain in contention as does French Two Thousand Guineas runner-up Dancing Gemini , who pleased his trainer Roger Teal in a workout at the track last week.
Blue Riband Trial winner Bellum Justum could bid to complete a rare Epsom double for owner King Power Racing. Amo Racing, which has twice had runners-up in the Derby in the past three years with King of Steel and Mojo Star , have a three-strong team remaining. Kia Joorachian’s operation looks set to be headed by shock Ballysax Stakes (G3) winner Dallas Star , while the Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained duo Mr Hampstead and Padesha also remain in the race.
Owner Ahmad Al Shaikh could field outsiders Sayedaty Sadaty and Deira Mile, who runs under his Green Team Racing banner. Al Shaikh has come close to Derby glory on two occasions recently, with Hoo Ya Mal (2022) and Khalifa Sat (2020) both finishing second.
The two horses who were scratched at Monday’s confirmations stage were the Roger Varian-trained Defiance and Ballydoyle’s The Euphrates .
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