Authorized Heads 22 Acceptors For The 2007 Vodafone Derby

A total of 22 horses remain engaged in the 2007 Vodafone Derby following today´s second forfeit stage. This figure compares to 33 at this stage last year, 27 in 2005 and 25 in 2004. The 12-furlong Classic, which boasts a prize fund of #1,250,000, takes place at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 2 and there is a supplementary entry stage on May 28.

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The acceptors are headed by yesterday´s highly-impressive totesport Dante Stakes victor Authorized. The son of Montjeu is now trading as a very hot favourite for the premier Classic as he bids to follow up on the 1992 victory of Dr Devious for his trainer, Peter Chapple-Hyam.

The trainer with the most entries going forward for Europe´s richest race is Ireland´s Aidan O´Brien. The master of Ballydoyle, successful twice in the Vodafone Derby with Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002), has nine entries remaining. These include Archipenko, successful in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on May 13, Chester Vase winner Soldier Of Fortune and Admiralofthefleet, victorious in the Dee Stakes at Chester. O´Brien´s contingent is completed by Acapulco, recent French Group Two winner Anton Chekhov, Chinese Whisper, the Stan James 2000 Guineas fifth Eagle Mountain, the unexposed Mahler and Yellowstone, runner-up to Archipenko at Leopardstown.

Salford Mill was catapulted to a leading fancy for the Vodafone Derby when he triumphed in the Listed Newmarket Stakes on May 6, beating Acapulco and Eastern Anthem, and he would provide his trainer David Elsworth with a first English Classic success (see below for more David Elsworth information). Salford Mill was due to have worked on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket this morning.

Aqaleem created a very favourable impression when winning the totesport Derby Trial at Lingfield Park on May 12 and he could provide Marcus Tregoning with a second consecutive Derby success following Sir Percy´s dramatic short-head victory in 2006.

Godolphin has left in three entries in Eastern Anthem, third behind Salford Mill at Newmarket, Jalil, the $9.7 million purchase who finished fifth in a Newmarket maiden last season on his only start to date and races in Newbury´s 4.40pm this afternoon, as well as Mythical Kid, winner of the Group Three Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury in 2006 but a disappointing fifth in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

Sir Michael Stoute is jointly the most successful current trainer in the Vodafone Derby with four successes - Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003) and North Light (2004). This year the master of Freemason Lodge could rely on Arabian Gulf, runner-up to Soldier Of Fortune in the Chester Vase.

Paul Cole, who sent out the 1991 victor Generous, has left in the smart Strategic Prince, Michael Bell, successful with Motivator two years ago has Regime, winner of the Betfredpoker Classic Trial at Sandown Park on April 28, while John Gosden, who sent out the 1997 hero Benny The Dip, is represented by recent Kempton Park maiden winner Lucarno.

There could well be some local representation in the 2007 Vodafone Derby as Terry Mills still has both the Lingfield Derby Trial third Kid Mambo and Listed scorer Petara Bay, owner by Slavica Ecclestone, wife of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, going forward. New Zealander Brett Johnson, who trains nearby at Ashtead, could have his first Vodafone Derby runner in Leander, runner-up in a Salisbury maiden earlier this month.

There is one more chance for horses to be added to the Vodafone Derby field at a cost of #75,000 on May 28, when the confirmation stage also takes place.

Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse said: 'The Vodafone Derby is taking shape and everybody was exhilarated by Authorized´s performance yesterday.

'He is a worthy favourite but there is still powerful opposition for him to beat before he can become a Derby winner.'