Godolphin could load up in attempt to break Epsom Derby duck

Dubai operation likely to line up with Cloth Of Stars, Moonlight Magic and Linguistic at the Epsom Derby in June.

Godolphin's Moonlight Magic is likely to feature in the Epsom Derby in June. Healy Racing / Racingfotos.com

Godolphin have yet to register a victory in the English Derby, but in the first year of John Ferguson’s stewardship the Dubai-based organisation could have up to three serious chances at Epsom on the first Saturday in June.

Godolphin have sent out 28 runners since Vettori became the first entry in the 2,400-metre event to carry the Royal Blue silks in 1995 and since then there have been several that have gone close.

Last year Jack Hobbs was a clear second best to Golden Horn, but he became the third Godolphin horse to finish second after Rule Of Law in 2004 and City Honours in 1998.

The English Derby picture is about as precise as an impressionist painting at the moment, but Ferguson has indicated already that Godolphin are likely to be represented by Cloth Of Stars, Moonlight Magic and Linguistic.

See more on horse racing:

• Geoffrey Riddle: Belardo and jockey Andrea Atzeni win Lockinge Stakes as Godolphin score another Group 1 victory

• Geoffrey Riddle: Wings Of Desire flies to Dante Stakes win but Frankie Dettori says Epsom Derby 'might come too soon'

Cloth Of Stars, who came from last to first to land the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud this month, will travel to England from Andre Fabre’s Chantilly base to take part in the Breakfast With The Stars event at Epsom on Tuesday.

Cloth Of Stars, who is by 2009 Derby winner Sea the Stars, has been ridden in each of his six races by Mickael Barzalona, who partnered 2011 Prix Greffulhe winner Pour Moi to victory in the Derby.

Fabre and Barzalona brought Pour Moi to Epsom for Breakfast With The Stars, and Linguistic, trained in Newmarket by John Gosden, could also make the journey.

Gosden is another high-profile trainer who has used Breakfast With The Stars to good effect. Gosden took Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid’s Taghrooda to the preview morning ahead of her success in the English Oaks in 2014 and Jack Hobbs and Golden Horn also benefited from a visit 12 months ago.

Linguistic is entered in the Listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, but should he not run on Gosden's doorstep it would not be the biggest leap of faith for Linguistic to be at Epsom on Tuesday. Gosden has already made it clear that last Thursday's inexperienced Dante Stakes winner Wings Of Desire will make the journey.

If both horses turn up at Epsom next week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai will have to consider whether it is value to pay the supplementary fee of £75,000 (Dh402,540) for both Cloth Of Stars and Linguistic.

Godolphin have had three runners in the Derby previously – in 2014, 2010 and in 2000 when they had four. With Ferguson keen to highlight that Sheikh Mohammed “loves” having runners in the world’s most important race expect a trio to represent the “boys in blue”.

Linguistic was shaded by Viren’s Army in the Dee Stakes at Chester this month, but his conqueror was ruled out of the race by connections due to the expensive supplementary requirement.

“A few of the owners were undecided about supplementing, but they’ve had their vote and decided not to,” Tim Palin of owners Middleham Park Racing said. “It’s a prohibitive figure to enter. He is an outsider. If he was more likely to win the maths would probably stack up.

“There’s the Italian Derby and the Irish Derby that he could in run, but there’s only one Derby, I know.”

Dubai will also have representation in the shape of Massaat, trained by Owen Burrows and owned by Sheikh Hamdan, who is seeking a third victory after Nashwan in 1989 and Erhaab in 1994.

Massaat finished second in the English 2,000 Guineas behind Galileo Gold, who is also a possible for the Derby but will first run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

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