THE importance of the Group 1 Derby at Epsom to owners, trainers and breeders remains strong, even if some will point to the lack of subsequent influence in more recent times of a number of the winners. This year’s 246th running of the Betfred Derby will be run in honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV.

In the world of horseracing and breeding, the late Aga Khan was among the foremost owner-breeders of his or any other generation. He matched his grandfather’s record by owning and breeding five winners of the classic. The record-breaking 10-length victory of Shergar for the Aga Khan IV in the 1981 Derby was followed by wins for Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), Sinndar (2000) and Harzand (2016).