John Leeper (Ire)

There are 19 colts remaining in the 1 1/2-mile G1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 5. Leading the way is current favourite and G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. hero Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), one of six for Aidan O'Brien and the various Coolmore partners. Joining the G3 Ballysax S. victor from Ballydoyle are: former race favourite High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the G2 Beresford S. at two and was third in the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. to Godolphin's Hurricane Lane...

Several Classic candidates for the upcoming G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 Cazoo Oaks on June 5 and June 4, respectively, took spins around Epsom Downs Racecourse on Monday morning.  Derby colts One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby and Ed Dunlop's listed winner and 'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were first-time visitors to the fabled course. The former, who won the G3 Emirates Autumn S. last October next ran second in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. to Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas...

Fourth tackling an insufficient seven furlongs in his Sept. 11 debut at Doncaster, his lone juvenile outing, Anamoine Ltd's homebred John Leeper earned 'TDN Rising Star' status upped to 10 furlongs at Newcastle on his Apr. 30 seasonal return last time and continued on a rapid upward trajectory with a career high in this first stakes start. Keen under cover in fourth early, he was sent up to join the front rank with three furlongs remaining and stayed on resolutely under continued rousting inside the final quarter mile to win...

Newcastle's QuinnBet Novice S. may end up being an important footnote by the end of the year as Friday's extended 10-furlong contest played host to Anamoine Ltd's precious homebred colt John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Emulating his illustrious dam Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) in breaking his maiden on the all-weather, the dark bay flashed the considerable ability that gets you into the Derby picture at this stage of the season to earn TDN Rising Star status. Anchored in rear early from his wide draw, the 9-4 joint-favourite whose half-sister Virgin...