Can Found become the seventh filly to win the Investec Derby?

The Coolmore team have not ruled out Found taking on the boys in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday, June 6th, and Coral make her a 16/1 chance to become just the seventh filly to win the 1m 4f classic contest.

Six fillies have won the Derby, with the most recent being Fifinella in 1916, who also won the Oaks. The other five were Eleanor (1801), Blink Bonny (1857), Shotover (1882), Signorinetta (1908), Tagalie (1912).

The last filly to run in the race was English 1000 Guineas winner Cape Verdi in 1998, who was sent off the 11/4 favourite but could only finish ninth.

That shows the tough task that fillies have in the race, but with a number of Aidan O’Brien trained prospects falling by the wayside the Coolmore team are contemplating a bold move to supplement the Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up for the famous race.

Kevin Buckley, Coolmore’s British representative, said: “Undoubtedly, the Investec Derby is the most important race to the team and, given that things are bit uncertain this year, we are exploring all options.

“Found is going to come to Epsom, subject to everything being OK after the weekend. She will come here for the Oaks or possibly, somewhat unusually, we may consider a supplementary entry for the Derby.

“We don’t have a horse in the top three or four of the betting for the Derby and therefore it has to be looked at, while we have good representation in the Oaks. It is not definite, rather something to explore. It is a long time since a filly won the Derby (1916). The principal owners are sportsmen.”

Found was a top class juvenile, and lost little in defeat on her latest start when a 1/2 length runner-up to Pleascach in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh after conceding first run to the winner before closing all the way to the line.