LONDON, June 2: Three horses were confirmed on Monday as late entries for Saturday’s Epsom Derby, boosting the total prize money to almost 1.5 million pounds ($2.45 million) and making the race the richest yet staged in Europe.

Owners of Dutch Gold, Kris Kin and Norse Dancer paid 90,000 pounds each for the privilege of running in the famed classic.

Dutch Gold, trained at Newmarket by Clive Brittain, won the Chester Vase last month to earn his late place.

Kris Kin, from Michael Stoute’s stable, also scored at Chester, while Norse Dancer, trained by David Elsworth, belied his 100-1 odds to finish a close third to Derby second-favourite Refuse To Bend in the 2.000 Guineas.

Epsom managing director Stephen Wallis said: “The three supplementary entries add further spice to a great renewal of the Derby and we would like to acknowledge the sporting gesture from the horses’ owners.”

All the main contenders remained in the race at Monday’s five-day declaration stage comprising 24 runners, including the top Irish-trained trio of Alamshar, Brian Boru and Refuse To Bend.

Brian Boru’s trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has won the last two runnings of the Derby with High Chaparral and Galileo, has four other runners declared for Saturday.

There is a safety limit of 20 and if more than that stay in on Thursday at the final declaration stage the lowest rated horses will be balloted out.

Latest leading odds from British bookmakers Ladbrokes: 3-1 Brian Boru, 7-2 Alamshar, Refuse To Bend, 10-1 Alberto Giacometti, 14-1 Kris Kin, 16-1 Dutch Gold, Norse Dancer, The Great Gatsby, 20-1 Magistretti, Shield, 25-1 Franklins Gardens, 33-1 Let Me Try Again, 40-1 and upwards others.—Reuters