The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest horse racing events on the calendar, but the 2024 edition will be one of the most iconic, as the race celebrates its 150th edition. This year’s Derby will take place at a new look Churchill Downs. International challengers have made the journey to the United States in recent years, with the biggest threats coming from Japan.
Derma Sotogake emerged as the most likely international winner of the race in 2023, but he faded to finish outside of the places. However, international rivals will continue to plot raids on the famous American race, and there could be unlikely British interest in the Kentucky Derby 2024.
There have been few raiders from Europe throughout Derby history, with one of the biggest reasons for that coming down to the fact that the British Classic season kicks off on the same weekend.
The Kentucky Derby is staged on the first Saturday in May, which is typically on the same weekend as the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas are staged. One of the most recent Derby hopefuls from Europe came from the Aidan O’Brien yard in 2018, as Mendelssohn looked to out-run his 50/1 odds.
However, the runner wasn’t up to the standard required on American soil, as he finished over 70 lengths behind Justify. But, he did boast solid form on dirt, landing victory in the G1 UAE Derby in 2018, before finishing a very respectable fifth of 14 in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Contenders looking to pick up points to earn their position in the Kentucky Derby field must compete in prep races. Overall, there are 37 races throughout the series, with the majority of those taking place in the United States. However, there are chances for international runners to earn their spot, with the most notable coming in the form of the G1 UAE Derby, which boasts 100 qualifying points and an automatic berth in the Derby.
Meanwhile, there are seven further prep races that offer minor points for runners looking to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. These kick off in late September, with the Beresford Stakes at The Curragh. The Royal Lodge Stakes also offers Derby points, but it is typically a prep for the 2,000 Guineas.
Notable preps are also staged on the all-weather at Dundalk and Kempton Park, with the Patton Stakes and Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes, respectively. Meanwhile, the final prep race on UK soil is staged at Chelmsford City, with the Cardinal Stakes taking place at the end of March.
One of the young superstars of the 2023 season has been teased as a potential future runner on the dirt. City of Troy is the top-rated juvenile in the world, and connections did tease the possibility of him running on the dirt later in his career. A tilt on the different terrain should suit the potential superstar as he is by Triple Crown winner Justify.
But, Aidan O’Brien cooled expectations after these comments by claiming that the main goal with the runner in 2024 is to win the G1 Epsom Derby. That means that City Of Troy will follow the British Classic path, and he could start his campaign in the 2000 Guineas, just as Auguste Rodin did in 2023.
However, the comments mean that the runner is mentioned in the early odds for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic later this season, which could be a potential target if he fulfils all his targets on the turf in the first half of the season.
It appears challenging to see many British or Irish runners making the journey to Churchill Downs to compete in the Derby, as many of the better three-year-old runners will be looking to compete in the home Classics. Deepone was an impressive winner of the G2 Beresford Stakes over a mile, beating Chief Little Rock, but he will be pointed toward the 2,000 Guineas.
Ghostwriter won the prestigious prep at Newmarket over a mile, but the Clive Cox-trained runner only looks set for a bright 2024 campaign on the turf, as he bids to maintain his perfect record on track. The same can also be said of Godolphin-owned Ancient Wisdom, who could be the main Epsom Derby hope for Charlie Appleby in 2024.
The three-year-old won two from two after disappointing at Ascot, and was in fine form when landing the G1 Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster by just under two lengths from Devil’s Point. Therefore, any Irish or British representation in the Kentucky Derby at this stage appears incredibly unlikely, but that could change after the UAE Derby in March.
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