Epsom Downs Racecourse has announced 406 yearlings of 2012 have been initially entered in the 2014 Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I).
The 235th renewal of the classic at Epsom on June 7, 2014 will have value of at least £1.325 million.
The 406 entries are 32 fewer than last year but, for the fourth year in succession, the number of entries is over 400.
Included among the nominees are 33 yearlings from the first crop of 2009 Investec Derby winner Sea The Stars, who won six group I stakes before his retirement to stud.
Sea The Stars' entries include the first foal of Japanese star mare Vodka, whose seven top-level successes included the Japan Cup (Jpn-I); a €1.2 million colt out of 2009 Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) winner Alpine Rose who topped the Arqana August Sale; and sons of the 2000 and 2008 Investec Oaks (Eng-I) heroines Love Divine and Look Here. Sea The Stars' owner Christopher Tsui has six of the sire's yearlings entered.
Sea The Stars' half brother, Galileo, one of the world's leading sires, has 52 entries, including Qatar Racing's 2.5 million guineas purchase Hydrogen, the most expensive yearling sold at auction in Europe this year. The half brother to 2007 Investec Derby winner Authorized is set to go into training with Peter Chapple-Hyam.
Another eye-catching entry is Primogeniture, the first foal of four-time Indian Classic heroine Jacqueline and who is in training with John Oxx in Ireland.
Godolphin's 68 initial entries include a New Approach colt out of 2002 Investec Oaks winner Kazzia, and a Street Cry colt out of grade II winner Serenading. The colt was a $1.2 million purchase at the Fasig-Tipton selected yearling sale in Saratoga in August.
Coolmore partners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, represented by the winners of the last two renewals of the classic with Camelot and Pour Moi, have 56 entries between them. Among their contingent is the Galileo colt out of dual group I winner Red Evie and another Galileo colt out of multiple group I scorer Alexander Goldrun, who was purchased for 950,000 guineas at Tattersalls.
"The first entry for the 2014 Investec Derby not only includes the very best bred yearlings in Europe but the race's global appeal is exemplified by the fact that colts out of Indian and Japanese champion race mares are engaged," Andrew Cooper, director of racing at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said in a statement. "We are also hugely encouraged to see such a international spread of owners represented and look forward to the recent run of outstanding Investec Derby winners continuing."
Investec, which has sponsored the Derby since 2009, last year announced an extension to the Derby Festival sponsorship until 2021.
33 yearlings from the first crop of 2009 Investec Derby winner Sea The Stars are among those initially entered in the 2014 Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I).
