Potential Derby winner? Ballydoyle talking horse Waterville to make Sunday debut

The Flat season is still in its infancy, but one horse who has got a lot of people talking is the Aidan O'Brien-trained Waterville.

Speaking in March, O'Brien nominated Waterville as a possible Derby colt, judged by what he shows on the gallops, but should we be getting excited ahead of his racecourse debut today in the 1m2f maiden at the Curragh (4.45)?

Who is he?

Costing €280,000 as a foal, Waterville is a son of 2012 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot.

It is not hard to see why he cost such a pretty penny as he is a half-brother to ten winners, including Irish Oaks heroine Sea Of Class.

Stamina for a Classic trip should not be an issue and provided he is as classy as O'Brien believes, he could even be a St Leger horse later in the campaign.

Can he make a winning debut?

Given his middle-distance pedigree, 1m2f should not be a problem and the Curragh's galloping nature will surely suit a horse who will likely go up in trip after this.

Glory Daze sets the form standard on three runs last season, but he may have been flattered by his most recent run in a Leopardstown Group 3.

Waterville looks set to go off as an odds-on favourite and it is perhaps telling that Ryan Moore prefers him to a pair of O'Brien runners who already have experience.

Last year's race was won by the O'Brien-trained Wordsworth, who went on to finish placed in a pair of Group 1 races.

Wordsworth won the race last year at the Curragh before placing at the top levelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

What has O'Brien said?

"We have a horse there called Waterville who has never run before. He could be a good bit better than a maiden and may even be a Derby horse. He's a Camelot half-brother to Sea Of Class, who was only just beaten in an Arc for William Haggas.

"He's a Derby-type horse and goes very well. He's a very big horse and will run in a maiden before long."

Is he a Derby contender?

Until we see him on the racecourse, it is very difficult to say. On paper, he has the breeding to be a star and O'Brien's comments back up the theory that he could be Classic quality.

At this stage he is a best-priced 20-1 with bet365 for the Derby and should he make a winning debut, his price is likely to tumble very quickly.

Interestingly, just one of O'Brien's eight Derby winners landed the Classic having not run as a juvenile – Ruler Of The World in 2013. That does not speak in Waterville's favour.

Cazoo Derby (Epsom, June 4)

bet365: 3 Luxembourg, 15-2 Point Lonsdale, 9 Native Trail, 10 Reach For The Moon, 16 Coroebus, 20 bar

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