TWO RUSSIAN-TRAINED horses feature among the 143 horses left in the Budweiser Irish Derby which will be run at the Curragh on June 29th.
The names of Kabardin Star and Dan may mean nothing to Irish racegoers but they are the most unusual feature among the declarations headed by red-hot Epsom Derby favourite and 2,000 Guineas winner Entrepreneur.
At a press launch last night, it was announced that prize money for the Derby has been increased by £100,000, making it the richest ever.
Britain has the most entries in the race, while Ireland has 43. There are 18 French entries, with Andre Fabre and Alain de Royer Dupre both with five.
. Leading American jumper Saluter will arrive in Britain next Thursday to run in the Marlborough Cup a week on Sunday.
The eight-year-old will be bidding for a $100,000 bonus in the third running of Britain's first timber race, having gained his fourth victory in the Virginia Gold Cup earlier this year.
Opponents are likely to include Enda Bolger's Fifty seven channels (Graham Bradley), Whitbread Gold Cup winner Harwell Lad (ridden by his Sandown partner Rupert Nuttall), and dual Cheltenham Cross-Country Chase victor McGregor The Third (Tony Dobbin).
