Epsom Downs

Trainer Roger Varian has one colt and a trio of fillies pointing to the G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 Cazoo Oaks on June 5 and 4, respectively. However, Varian, who has only had a single Derby starter previously when second with Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in 2014, is very aware of the unique challenge the Epsom Downs offers to young 3-year-olds. "I think it's a fascinating Derby," said Varian, who recently saddled his 1,000th winner. "It looks an open Derby and a very good Derby. There are a lot...

Derby-winning trainer William Haggas is looking forward to the G1 Cazoo Derby on June 5. The trainer, who won the race 25 years ago with Shaamit (Ire) (Mtoto {GB}), has listed winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to take part in the Blue Riband. "The race means exactly the same as it did 25 years ago in that it's the ultimate race for an English trainer to win or to try to win," Haggas reflected. "We've thrown a few darts at it unsuccessfully and it's a very hard race to win....

The G1 Coronation Cup has a new sponsor and will this year be run as the Coral Coronation Cup on Friday, June 4. Coral joins Cazoo as the official betting partner for Cazoo Oaks Day at Epsom. The Coronation Cup returns to Epsom following its brief relocation last year to Newmarket during a Covid-disrupted start to the turf season in Britain. It will be one of  three races on the card to be sponsored by Coral, along with the listed Surrey S. It represents a first for the company at Epsom...

Several Classic candidates for the upcoming G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 Cazoo Oaks on June 5 and June 4, respectively, took spins around Epsom Downs Racecourse on Monday morning.  Derby colts One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby and Ed Dunlop's listed winner and 'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were first-time visitors to the fabled course. The former, who won the G3 Emirates Autumn S. last October next ran second in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. to Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas...

Dual Group 2 winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) is being aimed at Epsom's June 4 G1 Coronation Cup. Co-trainer William Muir, who trains with Chris Grassick, has indicated his stable star exited his second-place finish in the G2 Jockey Club S. on May 1 in good order. A winner of the G2 King Edward VII S. and G2 Great Voltigeur S. in 2020, Pyledriver was also third in the G1 St Leger at Doncaster in September prior to an unplaced run in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. a month...

Cazoo, the UK's leading online car retailer, has been unveiled as the main sponsor of The Derby Festival, which will take place this year at Epsom Downs on June 4 and 5. The multi-year partnership includes exclusive naming rights of eight races during the festival, including the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks, as well as year-round exposure for Cazoo at all 15 of the Jockey Club's 15 racecourses in the UK. Alex Chesterman OBE, founder and chief executive officer of Cazoo, said, "We're delighted to be sponsoring The Cazoo Derby...

There was an unwelcome twist on Thursday for connections of the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner English King (Fr) (Camelot) as the draw for Saturday's £500,000 G1 241st Investec Derby imposed a widely-perceived "hoodoo" on Bjorn Nielsen's bay. Ante-post favourite for Epsom's Blue Riband, he will have to depart from the dreaded stall one after heading a field of 16 declarations. Qatar Racing's G1 2000 Guineas hero Kameko (Kitten's Joy) has been allocated gate 11, historically a far more favourable position which gives Oisin Murphy options from the break. Aidan...

Ben Curtis has been handed a first G1 Investec Derby ride on Royal Ascot winner Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Trained by Paul and Oliver Cole, the colt was ridden to victory at Ascot by Rossa Ryan but was due to be partnered by Andrea Atzeni at Epsom. However, with Atzeni claimed to ride David Simcock's Mohican Heights (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Curtis has been called up after a brilliant start to the season. "Andrea didn't foresee that he had to ride for someone else and he's got to ride for...

Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), winner of the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, heads 11 entries for the G1 Investec Oaks at Epsom on Saturday. The daughter of Galileo has headed the ante-post market since her impressive victory by 4 1/4 lengths over the Rowley Mile. Love bids to become the first filly since Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2016 to win both Classics. She is one of four possibles from the Aidan O'Brien stable as the Ballydoyle handler goes for a seventh Oaks success. O'Brien's other fillies in the mix are...

Listed winner and ante-post favourite English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) is among 17 entries for Saturday's G1 Investec Derby at Epsom.The mile-and-a-half Classic finds itself in an unusual position on the calendar this year, coming a month later than normal and after both Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby, because of the late start to the campaign. That will not matter one iota to the winning connections come this weekend, though--and for Ed Walker, trainer of Lingfield Derby Trial winner English King, it would be the realisation of a childhood...

In its latest update on Wednesday, the British Horseracing Authority's Flat Pattern Committee revealed that plans remain for the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 1000 Guineas to be staged on June 6 and 7, respectively, while the G1 Investec Derby and G1 Investec Oaks are both set for Saturday, July 4. The G1 Eclipse S. will take place on July 5, and Royal Ascot remains on its original dates of June 16 to 20, though some changes to the order of races "will be confirmed as soon as possible." The...

The G1 Investec Derby and G1 Investec Oaks cleared a major hurdle in the race to remain at their historic home at Epsom Downs on Tuesday, with the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators giving their backing at a special council meeting on Tuesday evening to the Jockey Club's plans to stage the two Classics on alternate dates, behind closed doors and with the public areas surrounding the track temporarily closed to the public. The Derby and Oaks have been staged at Epsom every year since their respective inceptions in 1780...