Epsom Derby 2025: the pin-stickers' guide
Pride Of Arras and Rossa Ryan (light blue) winning The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes
It may not attract the attention it once did but the Epsom Derby remains one of the biggest days on the racing calendar and this year’s renewal of the iconic race shapes as an intriguing one. Will Aidan O’Brien win a record-extending 11th premier Classic? Will 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court stay for Godolphin? Can Galway jockey Rossa Ryan add a Derby to a CV that already includes an Arc? How will supplemented French pair Midak and New Ground fare? Questions aplenty and while we’ll only know the answers shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday, here’s our horse-by-horse guide to the 246th Derby.
: Owen Burrows
: David Probert
: 3/10
: 100-1
Made all when getting off the mark at the third time of asking at Chester last month but likely to be out of his depth in this company.
: John and Thady Gosden
: James Doyle
: 6/10
: 12-1
Shaped well when second in the Dante and going a furlong and a half further could bring about further improvement. Each-way claims.
: Aidan O’Brien
: Ryan Moore
: 8/10
11-4
Victorious in two Derby trials at Leopardstown and looks sure to stay the trip but the record of Dubawi colts in this Classic (0 from nine) is a niggling worry.
: Charlie Johnston
: Billy Loughnane
: 3/10
: 40-1
Second in a weak French Group 1 as a juvenile but a record of one win from seven starts doesn’t inspire confidence.
: Aidan O’Brien
Wayne Lordan
: 6/10
: 15-2
Second to stablemate Delacroix in the Ballysax before winning the Dee Stakes at Chester. Could be the pacesetter.
Charlie Johnston
: Christophe Soumillon
: 3/10
: 66-1
Like Green Storm, he was kept busy as a two-year-old and like his stablemate he struggles to get his head in front.
Francois-Henri Graffard
: Mickael Barzalona
: 7/10
12-1
Unraced at two, this supplemented French raider is unbeaten in three starts this season and looks an intriguing contender.
: Henri-Francois Devin
: Alexis Pouchin
: 3/10
: 25-1
Another supplemented French challenger but could only manage third in two starts this season. Unlikely to land a meaningful blow.
: Richard Hannon
: Jamie Spencer
: 3/10
: 100-1
Third in Lingfield Derby Trial behind two Ballydoyle colts not deemed good enough to make the trip to Epsom. Likely to struggle.
: John and Thady Gosden
: Tom Marquand
: 5/10
: 20-1
Fifth in the Dante, the Frankel colt should appreciate the step up in trip but may struggle to keep tabs on the leaders in the early part of the race.
: Ralph Beckett
: Rossa Ryan
: 9/10
: 5-1
An impressive winner of the Dante on only his second career start, this talented son of New Bay should have no issue with the trip. Massive player.
: James Owen
: Luke Morris
: 2/10
: 70-1
Last of six at Lingfield last month and there’s no logical reason why he should fare any better in this company.
: Charlie Appleby
: William Buick
: 8/10
: 10-3
If the 2000 Guineas hero stays, he’ll win as his Newmarket triumph is undoubtedly the strongest form on offer. That’s a significant if though.
: Simon and Ed Crisford
: Harry Davies
: 4/10
: 50-1
Ticks the track box having won at Epsom in April but saw his limitations exposed when eighth in the Dante last time out.
Ralph Beckett
: Hector Crouch
: 6/10
: 12-1
Got within a neck of Delacroix as a two-year-old and while his win at Salisbury last month proved little, he has better prospects than many here.
: Joseph O'Brien
Dylan Browne McMonagle
: 5/10
: 28-1
A Group 1 winner in France last season but was firmly put in his place by Delacroix at Leopardstown last month. Hard to fancy.
: Aidan O'Brien
: Colin Keane
: 5/10
: 6-1
Winter favourite for this Classic but surrendered his unbeaten record when sixth in the Dante. Being drawn in stall 19 is a further negative.
: Saeed bin Suroor
: Oisin Murphy
: 5/10
: 20-1
Ran a big race at a big price when fourth in the 2000 Guineas but it’s hard to see his stamina lasting over four furlongs further.
: Raphael Freire
David Egan
: 4/10
: 66-1
Unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old but could only manage seventh in the Dante last month. Little chance.
History suggests opposing Team Ballydoyle in the Derby is an act of folly and it’s easy to make a coherent case for giving Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 11th win in the premier Classic. However, the Dubawi colt has looked more solid than spectacular in his Leopardstown wins so a chance is taken on landing the spoils for Arc-winning pair Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. His lack of experience could be viewed as a negative but 2013 victor Ruler of The Word and 2022 hero Desert Crown had also only run twice before rocking up at Epsom and Pride Of Arras showed enough at York to suggest he has all the attributes required to become the 10th Dante winner since 1980 to go on to Derby glory. Should stamina prove undoing, unbeaten French raider can hit the frame at a decent price.
