Derby punters heads on Bolshoi Ballet, hearts with John Leeper
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05/06/2021 - 11:30 Irish trainer Aidan O Brien can become the record holder for British classic winners with 41 if Bolshoi Ballet give him his ninth Epsom Derby victory Glyn KIRK AFP 4 min
London (AFP)
Bolshoi Ballet is the punters choice to give trainer Aidan O Brien a ninth Epsom Derby and a 41st British classic breaking a record that has stood for almost 150 years later on Saturday.
However, it is John Leeper, a horse named after the late two-time Derby winning trainer John Leeper Dunlop and trained by his son Ed who may well attract the more romantically-inclined punters.
It s Derby Day Glamour! Arrivals at Epsom sport elaborate headgear and summer prints as they bask in sunshine
Racegoers basked in the sun today as they arrived earlier for Derby Day at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey
Early arrivals sported their stunning summery frocks and elaborate hats for the day of festivities
Keeping Covid-safe with mandatory face masks, one arrival picked a silky blue gown and oversized fascinator to cheer on the horses
Fri 4 Jun 2021
Bolshoi Ballet has already followed a path trodden by two of Aidan O’Brien’s greats as he seeks to further emulate Galileo and High Chaparral by providing his trainer with a ninth victory in the Cazoo Derby.
It is 20 years since O’Brien secured his first victory in the premier Classic with the mighty Galileo, before following up 12 months later High Chaparral.
With long-time ante-post favourite High Definition and several other colts not declared, O’Brien saddles just one runner in the Derby for the first time since 2004 – perhaps indicative of the confidence behind him.
Like Galileo and High Chaparral, Bolshoi Ballet has warmed up for his Epsom date on Saturday by winning the two key Irish trials at Leopardstown – the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.
Sheikh-owned outlier Adayar was far from the bookies top pick to take home the sought-after title at the Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey today. Some 4,000 fans attended the race today.
Back in its familiar June slot after last year s event was bumped a month to July due to the pandemic, the 2021 edition of this English Classic marks the 242nd running of this iconic race.
Restricted to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, a total of 12 horses have been declared for this afternoon s race, with trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Bolshoi Ballet – the son of 2001 Epsom Derby winner Galileo – leading the pack as favourite following recent back-to-back wins at Leopardstown.
Coming up next with the bookies is Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney and Fairway Stakes winner John Leeper following High Definition’s withdrawal. Also strongly tipped are Mohaafeth and Hurricane Lane following their success in the Newmarket Stakes and Dante Stakes respectively.