The 2018 Derby: Johnb’s Early Thoughts

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AS you all know one of Johnb's fortes is identifying value early on the anteposts for big races.

Here are his thoughts on not next year's Derby but the race in 2018.

He says: “It’s only December 2016 but the long road to Derby glory in 2018 starts now for me. Nearly 18 months of firstly going through breeding lines to seeing horses in the flesh to eventually finding the winner. Hopefully before then we can get Churchill to win in 2017.

“For the 2018 Derby I have 448 yearlings to study of which 58 are from the Ballydoyle Coolmore organisation.

“So hopefully the hard work will pay off again after some great classic antepost prices on here over the past 3 years. I have faith because my record over the last 25 years in the Classics is second to none, I can’t prove it but I can prove the last three years which has seen a winner every year of at least 25-1 all advised on this site. It is hard work but work I enjoy it.”

Breakdown of 2018 Derby entries by owner with past successes in the Investec Derby

58 entries
Derrick Smith/Michael Tabor/Sue Magnier

(2001 Galileo, 2002 High Chaparral, 2011 Pour Moi, 2012 Camelot, 2013 Ruler Of The World, 2014 Australia)

34 entries
Godolphin

31 entries
Hamdan Al Maktoum (1989 Nashwan, 1994 Erhaab)

20 entries
H H Aga Khan (1981 Shergar, 1986 Shahrastani, 1988 Kahyasi, 2000 Sinndar, 2016 Harzand)

19 entries
Khalid Abdullah (1990 Quest For Fame, 1993 Commander In Chief, 2010 Workforce)

11 entries
Annemarie O’Brien

10 entries
Al Shaqab Racing

9 entries
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (1998 High-Rise)

8 entries
Qatar Racing Ltd

7 entries
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing

6 entries
Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd

5 entries
Bjorn Nielsen

4 entries
Ballymacoll Stud (2004 North Light)
Lady Bamford
Saeed Suhail (2003 Kris Kin)

3 entries
Markus Jooste
George Strawbridge

2 entries
The Queen

1 entry
Anthony Oppenheimer (2015 Golden Horn)
Anthony & Victoria Pakenham (2006 Sir Percy)

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