409 yearlings entered for 2015 Investec Derby

Ruler of The World forging his way clear to win the 2013 Investec Epsom Derby. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

A total of 409 yearlings have been entered for the 2015 Investec Derby, taking place at Epsom on June 6.

Coolmore, owners of the 2013 winner, Ruler of The World, have 54 entries for the second race of the QIPCO British Champion Series Middle Distance category.

On the day before, the Investec Coronation Cup, won three times in succession by the Irish-based stud’s superstar St Nicholas Abbey, opens the division, with the champion of both this race and the Derby likely to feature prominently throughout the rest of the British Champion Series campaign.

Coolmore’s entries include a brother to this year’s Investec Oaks runner-up, Secret Gesture, a brother to Ruler of The World and a Galileo three-parts brother to 2011 champion, Pour Moi.

Godolphin is responsible for 71 entries, the most of any owner, headlined by a brother to this year’s QIPCO Champion Stakes hero, Farhh, and a 300,000 guineas Oasis Dream colt out of 2000 Investec Oaks heroine, Love Divine.

Qatar Racing, whose driving force is Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, has put 15 yearlings into the 2015 Investec Derby.

His cousin Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani is represented by 12 entries, headed by the €1 million Dubawi half-brother to Falmouth Stakes winner, Nahoodh.

Meanwhile, former England international footballer Michael Owen has entered a brother to his Artemis Goodwood Cup scorer, Brown Panther, while Manchester United’s now-retired manager Sir Alex Ferguson could be represented by a Dansili colt out of the Listed-placed Dusty Answer, who was purchased for 250,000 guineas.