Runner-by-runner guide to the dozen Investec Derby contenders

-
Breeder

Second-season sire Farhh has done brilliantly to sire an Epsom Classic runner from his first crop, as he is yet to cover a three-figure book since his retirement following an exceptional five-year-old campaign which saw him win the Lockinge and Champion Stakes.

Dee Ex Bee was a close second to another leading contender in Young Rascal in the Chester Vase - suggesting the trip will pose no problem.

He is out of Dubai Sunrise, an unraced daughter of Colorado Dancer, a Group 2 winner in France over 1m5½f who went on to produce Dubai Millennium, the champion older horse in Europe in 2000 and later the sire of Dubawi.

2. Delano Roosevelt
-
Orpendale And Chelston

A July juvenile maiden winner and placed on his subsequent four starts in Group company, Delano Roosevelt is being stepped up to a mile and a half for the first time.

However, the presence of top-class middle-distance performer Montjeu - joint champion racehorse in Europe alongside Daylami in 1999 - on his page gives reason to think that he will stay.

Bred on the same Galileo-Danehill Dancer cross as European Classic scorers Minding and The Gurkha, Delano Roosevelt is out of Again, who won both the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Moyglare Stud Stakes.

-
His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs S C

With Shamardal now restricted to covering Maktoum-only mares, his son Hazapour could, in theory, be one of the last chances for an independent breeder to get an Epsom Classic winner from him.

Hazapour has a close connection to the 2016 winner Harzand, being out of his Daylami half-sister Hazarafa, a Listed winner over the Derby trip.

Harzand, who joined fellow Aga Khan homebreds Shergar, Shahrastani and Kahyasi on the Derby roll of honour, followed up in the Irish version.

-
Barronstown Stud

The cleverly named Kew Gardens is one of two runners in the race bred by Barronstown Stud, who also bred the 1991 Derby hero Generous.

Coolmore colossus Galileo has sired no fewer than 70 top-flight winners and could easily add one or two more this weekend with eight elite contests taking place worldwide.

The same Galileo-Desert King cross has thrown up the dam of recent Listed winner Emmaus, while the fact Kew Gardens won the Listed Zetland Stakes over 1m2f as a juvenile suggest he could see out the trip.

Speed lines his page, however, with his Tamayuz half-sister Thawaany having run second to Garswood in the 2014 Prix Maurice de Gheest.

-
Abergwaun Farms

Owner-breeder Neil Jones of Abergwaun Farms has already enjoyed Classic success in Britain with his 2000 St Leger scorer Millenary, whose unraced Sadler's Wells half-sister Angel Of The Gwaun is responsible for Knight To Behold.

Sea The Stars strung together six Group 1 victories during 2009, the second of which was his memorable Derby success under Mick Kinane.

He is already the progenitor of a Derby winner in the aforementioned Harzand, suggesting this impressive Lingfield Derby Trial winner could go close.


-
Godolphin

Masar has a double helping of legendary broodmare Urban Sea in his pedigree as a paternal grandson of Galileo out of the Cape Cross mare Khawlah, a great-granddaughter of the 1993 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine.

In 2011 Khawlah became the only female winner of the UAE Derby, which is run over 1m1½f, while her Dansili half-brother Vancouverite was a Group 2 winner in France over 1m2f.

Masar's pedigree is aglow with top-class middle-distance performers and his third to Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas should have him right for Saturday's engagement.

-
Ranjan Racing Inc

The progeny of leading US turf sire Kitten's Joy have already made their mark on Epsom, with Hawkbill's third to Highland Reel in last year's Coronation Cup.

A $160,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase for David Redvers on behalf of Qatar Racing, Roaring Lion is well entitled to take his chance in the this famous race on the back of his runaway Dante Stakes success in May.

Last year's Racing Post Trophy runner-up is out of Vionnet, who placed in elite company over 1m2f in the US.

Vionnet is one of five black-type performers out of dual Grade 3-winning sprinter Cambiocorsa, who has also produced Schiaparelli and Moulin De Mougin, both Grade 2 winners.

-
Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt

Saxon Warrior's pedigree has been subjected to closer examination than any of today's runners heading into Saturday's race and it is easy to see why.

He is a son of Japanese Derby winner and supersire Deep Impact, who already boasts 36 top-flight winners to his name, while his dam is the 2011 Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Maybe.

That makes him one of three Derby runners this year to be produced by winners of the Moyglare alongside Delano Roosevelt and Kew Gardens.

As well as Deep Impact's ability as a middle-distance runner, Maybe was an admirable fifth to Was in the 2012 Oaks despite meeting with trouble in running on her only start beyond a mile, suggesting the trip should pose no problem to potential Triple Crown contender Saxon Warrior.

-
Ammerland Verwaltung Gmbh & Co Kg

Sevenna Star is a product of Redoute's Choice's second and final season shuttling to Haras de Bonneval and, like Saxon Warrior, counts Galileo as his damsire.

The Gestut Ammerland homebred is a half-brother to three stakes winners over the Derby trip including the French Group 3 winner Savanne.

Their dam, the Lillie Langtry Stakes scorer Sevenna, is a half-sister to German Group 2 winner Scatina, and they in turn are out of a winning daughter of German Oaks winner Slenderella.


-
Barronstown Stud

One of two Ballydoyle-trained Galileo colts to fill the podium behind Hazapour in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, The Pentagon is out of Prix Saint-Alary scorer Vadawina, whose six runners to date have all won, including the 1m4f French Group 2 winner Vadamar.

The Pentagon also hails from the immediate family of top-class miler and sire Vadamos and the 2014 Prix Saint-Alary scorer Vazira, and is the second runner in the race bred by the Nagle family's Barronstown Stud.

-
Ecurie Peregrine SAS

Chester Vase scorer Young Rascal is being talked up as a serious Derby contender from the first crop of Prix du Jockey Club hero Intello, who has already sired three stakes winners this year.

He realised a six-figure sum at the 2016 Arqana August Yearling Sale, and as well as his Chester triumph, there is pedigree in evidence on his page, being out of a half-sister to German Oaks fourth Rock My Heart.

Young Rascal would be a significant winner for his sire, who returned this year to Cheveley Park Stud, where he stands at a £20,000 fee.

-
Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd

Frankel admirably supplied the third and fourth home in last year's Derby from his first crop, and the regally bred Zabriskie - who was a staying-on third in the Dante - could go closer than his current odds would suggest.

Zabriskie is out the Nureyev mare Moonlight's Box, who has produced four runners with a Racing Post Rating of 100 or greater including Arc hero Bago and dual Group 1 winner Maxios.

He is set to be ridden by Padraig Beggy, who delivered a masterclass ride to win on Wings Of Eagles last year.

Runners and riders for the Epsom Derby