Second entries further strengthen Darley sires’ Derby hand

Dawn Approach’s Madhmoon and Dubawi’s Al Hilalee among latest contenders for the Blue Riband

The second-stage entries for this year’s G1 Derby were announced on Wednesday, 3 April and included five new Darley-sired contenders for the coveted Classic.

Dubawi, already sire of the current favourite in Too Darn Hot, is now also responsible for Al Hilalee (already a Black Type winner) and the exciting winning debutant Space Blues.

Madhmoon (Dawn Approach) is highly regarded by his trainer Kevin Prendergast and the Irish 2,000 Guineas hopeful could also be bound for Epsom on Saturday, 1 June. He was unbeaten last year, winning easily on his debut before landing the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes last September.

Guaranteed (Teofilo) was one of his sire’s leading juveniles last year, winning the G3 Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown, enough to earn his a Derby entry. Second to him that day was Masaff (Raven’s Pass), who was also among the second entries.

Farhh, whose son Dee Ex Bee finished second to Masar (New Approach) in the 2018 Derby, will bid to go one better this year with the Richard Hannon-trained King Of Change.