No less than 33
yearlings from the first crop of the brilliant Sea The Stars are among the 406
glittering entries revealed today for the 2014 Investec Derby.
Sea The Stars himself
won the 2009 Investec Derby amid an outstanding three-year-old campaign that
brought a total of run of six Group One victories before his retirement to
stud.
His first progeny will
contest a prize worth at least £1.325 million at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June
7, 2014, in the 235th running of the world's most famous Flat race.
Sea The Stars' entries
include the first-foal of Japanese star mare Vodka, whose seven top-level
successes included the Japan Cup, a 1.2 million euros colt out of 2009 Prix
Jean Romanet winner Alpine Rose who topped the Arqana August Sale, and sons of
the 2000 and 2008 Investec Oaks heroines Love Divine and Look Here. Sea The
Stars' owner Christopher Tsui has six of the sire's yearlings entered.
Sea The Stars'
half-brother Galileo, regarded by many as the world's best stallion, has 52
entries including Qatar Racing's 2.5 million guineas purchase Hydrogen, the
most expensive yearling sold at auction this year. The three-parts brother to
2007 Investec Derby hero Authorized is set to go into training with Peter
Chapple-Hyam.
Another eye-catching
entry is Primogeniture, the first foal of four-time Indian Classic heroine
Jacqueline who is in training with John Oxx in Ireland.
Godolphin's 68 initial
entries include a New Approach colt out of 2002 Investec Oaks winner Kazzia,
and a Street Cry colt out of US Grade Two scorer Serenading, who sold for $1.2
million at Saratoga in August.
Camelot and Pour Moi
have captured the past two renewals of the Classic for the Coolmore partners
Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are responsible for 56 entries between
them. Among their contingent is the Galileo colt out of dual Group One winner
Red Evie and another Galileo colt out of multiple Group One scorer Alexander
Goldrun, who was purchased for 950,000 guineas at Tattersalls.
Other notable purchases
for the Coolmore team, who also landed the Investec Derby with Galileo (2001)
and High Chaparral (2002), include a 525,000 guineas Galileo colt out of 2004
Investec Oaks heroine Ouija Board.
The Aga Khan has also
enjoyed four Investec Derby triumphs with Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986),
Kahyasi (1988) and Sinndar (2000) and he has 19 entries for the 2014 Group One
spread between Alain de Royer-Dupre and Mikel Delzangles in France plus John
Oxx in Ireland.
Hamdan Al Maktoum, whose
famous blue and white silks were carried to victory by Nashwan (1989) and
Erhaab (1994) at Epsom Downs, is well represented with 23 entries including
Almuhalab - a Dansili colt out of 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner
Ghanaati, who goes into training with Charlie Hills.
A star-studded entry
includes Throne Room, an Oasis Dream half-brother to Nathaniel and Great
Heavens, and many expensive yearlings including an 800,000 euros Galileo colt
out of Flames in training with Tommy Stack.
Andrew Cooper, Director
of Racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented: "The first entry for the
2014 Investec Derby not only includes the very best bred yearlings in Europe
but the race's global appeal is exemplified by the fact that colts out of
Indian and Japanese champion racemares are engaged.
"We are also hugely
encouraged to see such a international spread of owners represented and look
forward to the recent run of outstanding Investec Derby winners
continuing."
The figure of 406
entries is 32 less than last year but, for the fourth year in succession, the
number of entries is over 400. The recent entry numbers for the Investec Derby
are as follows: 2014-406; 2013-442; 2012-478; 2011-444; 2010-388.
Investec, which has
sponsored the Derby since 2009, last year announced an extension to the Derby
Festival sponsorship until 2021.
For further information,
please contact:
Andrew Cooper, Director
of Racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on 07774 230850
Johnno Spence at JSC
Sport on 07860 583307
Selected leading owners
in 2014 Investec Derby
68 Entries
Godolphin
23 Entries
Hamdan Al Maktoum
20 Entries
Sue Magnier (three in
partnerships with Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Roy)
19 Entries
HH Aga Khan
18 Entries
Michael Tabor (two in
partnerships with Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith)
Derrick Smith (one in
partnership with Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor)
13 Entries
Niarchos Family
11 Entries
Khalid Abdulla
9 Entries
Qatar Racing Limited
8 Entries
Highclere Thoroughbred
Racing
7 Entries
Jackie Bolger
Ballymacoll Stud
Wildenstein Family
6 Entries
Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad
Al Thani
Christopher Tsui
5 Entries
Andrew Tinkler
Lady Rothschild
Pearl Bloodstock
4 Entries
Bjorn Nielsen
Sheikh Mohammed bin
Khalifa Al Thani
3 Entries
Moyglare Stud Farms
Saleh Al Homaizi &
Imad Al Sagar
Sir Robert Ogden
2 Entries
Lady Bamford
George Strawbridge
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Investec is an
international specialist bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range
of financial products and services to a select client base. The group was
established in 1974 and has core activities in the UK, South Africa and
Australia.
Investec focuses on
delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in three core
areas, namely Specialist Banking, Wealth & Investment and Asset Management.
Investec sponsors
English Test Cricket, the Investec Derby Festival, the England & GB Women's
Hockey team, the South African Women's Hockey team, Tottenham Hotspur in cup
competitions, the Investec Tri Nations Rugby, Investec Super Rugby in New
Zealand and British golfer Kelly Tidy.
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