The Derby has always been the most important race in England. It attracts the best thoroughbreds and it has been my good fortune to win it a few times on some great horses.”

These were the words this week of one of the greatest jockeys of all time, the legendary Lester Piggott. The modesty of the man means that winning the race on nine occasions translates in his language as a ‘few times’. Those nine wins will surely stand the test of eternity, as his nearest challengers are Jem Robinson and Steve Donoghue, their six victories being achieved in the early 19th and early 20th centuries respectively.

Should Aidan O’Brien win the race today, he would join the luminaries Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling as one of the most successful trainers with seven wins a piece. Galileo was Aidan’s first winner, while his 2014 winner Australia was appropriately bred by the Earl of Derby, after whose family name the race is called. The family also bred the 1933 winner Hyperion and Watling Street, the winner nine years later.

On the breeding front, the Derby has for generations been seen as the most important race to win for a potential stallion. Derby winners also beget Derby winners, with 47 of the classic victors being sired by a previous winner of the race. These include the 2018 hero Masar. He is a son of the 2008 winner New Approach, and he in turn is by the great Galileo, one of a pair of Derby winning sons of Sadler’s Wells.

The Coolmore superstar Galileo turns up in a number of records for the race, another being the fact that he is one of six sets of siblings to win the race, being joined on the roll of honour eight years after his victory by his half-brother Sea The Stars. Given his dominance in the stallion ranks, and the importance Coolmore places on the race, you would expect that Galileo is one of the most successful sires of Derby winners.

He is, having three sons who have won the blue riband, New Approach, Ruler Of The World and Australia. However, his record was surpassed by his former stud mate Montjeu. He, along with Sir Peter Teazle, Cyllene, Waxy and Blandford, sired four winners, his sons Motivator and Walk In The Park finishing first and second in 2005. Montjeu’s stud career was cut short when he died at the age of 16. Who knows what might have been had he lived a little longer.

Only two Derby winners were sired by a Derby winner out of an Oaks winner. Australia (out of Ouija Board) is one, while Lammtara was by Nijinsky out of Snow Bride. The latter was awarded the Oaks after the disqualification of Aliysa.