Breeding Ground - Sydney with dominant Derby numbers

There were 46 different sires represented by the 170 runners due to take their places in the first round of the Derby but supersire Droopys Sydney continues to dominate, writes Floyd Amphlett. 

The big black who died last year already has two English Derby winners in Gaytime Nemo and Deerjet Sydney and two runners-up in Kildare and Ballymac Tas, among his 11 finalists to date. 

And with 39 representatives before the first round got underway, he will surely feature again at the business end. 

Next popular with 15 runners apiece were Ballymac Cashout and Ballymac Bolger while Dorotas Wildcat who won and has already sired a winner (Thorn Falcon) is next best with 10. 

Slaneyside Pro became the first ’24 whelp to win a race in Ireland at Waterford last Friday. The Derek Kehoe trained son of Callaway Pro Am and Slaneyside Ashy is actually a February whelp ,and won on debut in 29.64. 

He beat Double On It by five days. The Jan ’24 pup by Pestana won the first race at Youghal on Wednesday in 29.10, which proved to be the fastest time of the day.