Coolmore sires look to Derby success
28th May 2007
It is still the most famous prize in racing and the countdown is almost over to the 228th running of the G1 Derby, taking place at Epsom on Saturday.
Coolmore stallions have sired seven of the last nine winners and bookmakers believe that Montjeu - responsible for the 2005 Derby hero Motivator - is on course for another victory this year with hot favourite Authorized (3c Montjeu-Funsie by Saumarez).
After finishing third first time out, Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar's colt went on to win the G1 Racing Post Trophy as a juvenile at Newbury before making a brilliant winning seasonal comeback in the G2 Dante Stakes at York two weeks ago.
"I have always said that he is probably the best horse I have trained and I don't go back on that - he just has so much class," says trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, who saddled Dr Devious to win the 1992 Epsom Derby.
Aidan O'Brien is still finalising his running plans but among his possibles are another son of Montjeu, Anton Chekhov (3c Montjeu-By Charter by Shirley Heights), a 625,000gns yearling bred by the Barnett family and the winner of the G2 Prix Hocquart at Longchamp this season.
