Kilkenny trainers Jim Bolger and Joseph O’Brien are amongst the final declarations for the Epsom Derby on Saturday.
Jim Bolger’s Mac Swiney and Joseph O’Brien’s Southern Lights are in there with Aidan O’Brien’s favourite Bolshoi Ballet.
The Ballydoyle trainer has scratched High Definition, with a field of 12 to go to post for the 1-mile 4-furlong test at 4.30 pm on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien has won the Epsom Derby eight times and it’s the first time he’s only had one runner in the race since 2004.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, O’Brien told the Racing Post: “Things could change before 10 am, but at the moment it looks as though there’s going to be one runner for us at Epsom on Saturday, Bolshoi Ballet. It looks like High Definition will come to the Curragh for the Irish Derby.”
“It means there’s a little bit of extra time for High Definition and the two of them are getting a shot for the first time at a Derby each. That’s not to say that the horse from Epsom [Bolshoi Ballet] wouldn’t come back to the Curragh as well.”
