Derby domination as Galileo appears in the pedigree of all 13 runners

Even before the stalls open we can say with certainty that Galileo will exert huge influence over the result of this year's Investec Derby, as the name of the Coolmore-based son of Sadler's Wells appears in the pedigree of all 13 declared runners in Saturday's Group 1.

Six of the 13 declared colts are by Galileo himself, with that sextet led by Anthony Van Dyck, who was last seen running away with the Lingfield Derby Trial. Moreover, five of those six are trained by Aidan O'Brien, with Anthony Van Dyck's stablemates including Japan, Circus Maximus, Norway and Sovereign.

View full Investec Derby runners, riders and pedigrees

The other remaining Galileo colt is Line Of Duty, the fourth foal of Jacqueline Quest, who famously passed the post in front in the 2010 1,000 Guineas only to be demoted for causing interference to subsequent winner Special Duty. Line Of Duty joined the Godolphin ranks after connections paid 400,000gns for him as a yearling.

Four of the field are by one of Galileo's many sire sons, including Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Broome, the progressive Bangkok and Dante Stakes scorer Telecaster. All are by Derby-winning sons of Galileo, with the first two hailing from the first crop of Australia, who landed the blue riband in 2014, and Telecaster representing New Approach, who triumphed in 2008.

Another sire son, Nathaniel, is due to be represented by outsider Hiroshima.

Somewhat remarkably given he is still on active covering duty at Coolmore at the age of 21, Galileo is also present in the third generation of the pedigrees belonging to two runners.

Madhmoon, last seen finishing fourth to Magna Grecia in the 2,000 Guineas, is by Dawn Approach, a son of New Approach who finished last in the 2013 Derby in between wins in the 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes.

Galileo can also be found in the third generation of Humanitarian's pedigree, as the John Gosden-trained colt is from the debut crop of Frankel's three-time Group 1-winning brother Noble Mission, who stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky.

The one runner who does not boast Galileo blood in his male line is pre-race favourite Sir Dragonet, who is by Camelot, the son of Montjeu who triumphed at Epsom in 2012.

While Sir Dragonet is not from the Galileo sire-line, the Coolmore colossus does appear in the unbeaten Chester Vase winner's pedigree, as he boasts the hugely influential Urban Sea - dam of Galileo - as his third dam.

Sir Dragonet is out of Sparrow, a daughter of Oasis Dream and Galileo's sister All Too Beautiful.

Sir Dragonet: the sole runner in the Derby not from the Galileo sire lineCredit: Edward Whitaker

Urban Sea has also exerted a huge influence over the Derby since the turn of the century.

First and foremost she is the dam of winning half-brothers Galileo and Sea The Stars, and in turn that pair have sired four winners between them - Australia, New Approach and Ruler Of The World for the former, and Harzand for the latter.

Just to hammer home her dominance of the Epsom Classic, Urban Sea's name appeared twice in the pedigree of last year's winner Masar, who is inbred 3x4 to the mighty matriarch. Masar is by New Approach and out of Khawlah, a great granddaughter of Urban Sea through Melikah and Villaricca.

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From the front: Steve Cauthen's spectacular Derby victory on Slip Anchor

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