Ancient Egypt could hold key to Derby for Egan
Aincent Egypt and Rowan Scott winning The JCB Newmarket Stakes last month. Pic: Healy Racing
With DNA like David Egan, the Betfred Derby has long been one of the most significant dates on the racing calendar.
The Epsom Classic may have eluded father John and uncle Richard in their own riding careers, but the grandson of the late, great Dessie Hughes can dare to dream, as Ancient Egypt prepares to face the undulations of the Surrey Downs and the might of Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle battalion.
It is a moment the 26-year-old, who was thrust into the spotlight from a young age due to his exploits aboard global superstar Mishriff, has been waiting for since signing on the dotted line to become number one for Amo Racing in late December 2023.
Egan said: “Coming from my background, I’ve understood the importance of races like the Derby from a young age and you are not just learning about it when you enter racing as a teenager. I’ve seen how tough it is to even have a runner in the race and to go close is even harder.
“Ancient Egypt is a horse who goes to the Derby with a real chance and he’s a real scopey individual and a beautiful looking horse.
“I’m delighted to be going there with a chance and the horses are running really well at the moment. It’s a tremendous achievement to have a runner like this and we’ll be doing our best.”
Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien is confident he has “two legitimate contenders” for Classic honours at Epsom, with Thundering On heading for Friday’s Betfred Oaks before James J Braddock bids for Betfred Derby glory on Saturday.
Thundering On booked her ticket to the Surrey Downs with victory in the Group Three Salsabil Stakes at Navan in late April, while James J Braddock got the better of Pierre Bonnard in one of Ireland’s key Derby trials at Leopardstown last month.
O’Brien, who won the Derby twice as a rider for his father Aidan aboard Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014), said on Monday: “It looks like we’ll have two runners, one in each of the two big races and we have some entries on the undercard, too.
“There is a bit of rain around during the week which I don’t think will inconvenience either of my two.
“They both won their trials so they have earned a spot in the race.
“The two of them are around 10-1 and I think they are two legitimate contenders.
“Benvenuto Cellini (Derby favourite) obviously looks classy — Epsom is a stiff test and the ground is still a question mark, but he looks very classy. Outside of him the Derby is very open and we have a form line with Pierre Bonnard.”
Both James J Braddock and Thundering On will be tackling a mile and a half for the first time at Epsom.
