John Magnier has defended the decision of Ballydoyle to make block entries for the Investec Derby.
The Irish stable is likely to send out six runners, almost half the field, at Epsom on Saturday, but Magnier feels that the importance of the race justifies the participation of so many of his horses.
“Maybe, it has lost some of its gloss, but it is the race where all the qualities of a colt are tested,” is quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.
“We continue to support it, and run as many as we can, because of this. We run those we feel are entitled to run. It’s a chance for them to prove themselves.
“I know there are some people, who would like to see it run over a mile and a quarter, but they did that in France, and I don’t think it has improved the French Derby. I’m sure that was a mistake.
“In the United States, they permit geldings to run in their [Kentucky] Derby, but that’s giving the geldings an unfair advantage. They have usually been gelded because there is a mental frailty there. After gelding they are easier to train. Theirs is not a pure Classic like Epsom. The Derby at Epsom has got history and tradition – all people have to do is leave it alone,” he continued.
Magnier also said that first jockey Johnny Murtagh has not decided which horse he will ride on Saturday.
“After the pair worked on Friday, both [trainer] Aidan [O’Brien] and Johnny thought the main two in the betting, Fame And Glory and Rip Van Winkle, were still going well, but they were also impressed by the improvement shown by Masterofthehorse.
“Friday was probably the most important gallop they have done – and Tuesday will also be a last important check. Johnny will wait as long as he can to decide, which I can understand.”