THIS weekend sees the Derby at Epsom being contested, and the race remains, for some, the most important classic contest of the year. It is certainly one that bestows prestige on the winner, but it has been overtaken in terms of significance by the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club, its French equivalent, when it comes to importance from a breeding perspective.

Before this year’s renewal, the last nine winners of the Prix du Jockey Club have been Brametot (Group 1 sire), Study Of Man (Group 1 sire), Sottsass (group sire), Mishriff (at stud in France), St Mark’s Basilica (Group 1 sire), Vadeni (at stud in France), Ace Impact (at stud in France), Look De Vega (standing at Ballylinch Stud for €20,000) and Camille Pissarro (covering at Coolmore for €30,000).