Epsom Coronation Cup Tips & Betting Preview 2026

The Coronation Cup was first run at Epsom in 1902 in order to celebrate the new British Monarch in King Edward VII. The race even continued throughout both World Wars although the race itself was relocated to Newmarket (1915 & 1916) and (1943-1945). It was also run at Newmarket in 2020 following the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The race is for horses aged four years and older and often attracts runners who have often run in either the Oaks or Derby as three-year-olds. Recent winners of the race include Luxembourg, Emily Upjohn and Hukum.

The race is a must watch race for all fans of top class racing as the horses navigate their way around Epsom’s U-Shaped track. The race is unique as the bends come at the runners quite quickly, so it is important to get a decent position early on.

Here, I will run through recent Coronation Cup trends, key statistics, analysis of this year’s top contenders, and end with my top Coronation Cup tips to win and an each way fancy.

Coronation Cup 2025 – Race Overview

• Date: Friday, 6th June 2025
• Time: 2:40 PM BST
• Racecourse: Epsom Downs Racecourse
• Distance: 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards (approximately 2,420 metres)
• Prize Money: Total purse of £450,000, with £255,195 awarded to the winner
• Age: Open to horses aged four years and older

Coronation Cup Trends & Key Stats

• Ryan Moore has won this race three times
• A P O’Brien is the leading trainer with 9 race wins
• Roger Varian and Saeed Bin Suroor have both recorded 2 wins

Coronation Cup Runners – Key Contenders

Calandagan – Francis Henri Graffard

Has been the bridesmaid on three occasions since recording a win over this trip at Royal Ascot last year when taking the King Edward VII Stakes. The form of his recent race is working out as Rebel’s Romance franked it when winning at Group 2 at York most recently. Bound to give it his all, but his price is derisory, and it may be better to look for each way value.

Jan Brueghel – A P O’Brien

It seems like this four-year-old has been around for a lot longer than is the case. He was undefeated last year in four races accumulating in a St Leger victory at Doncaster. He was off the track for the best part of seven months and made his comeback at The Curragh. He bumped into an already race-fit Galen and was beaten a little over two lengths. He is fully entitled to come on for that run. We know he stays this trip, and he will give the French runner something to think about.

Giavellotto – Marco Botti

A winner of multiple group races last year including the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin back in December. He only had a short four-month break and returned a bit under par in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in April. He has it all to do in order to reverse form with Calandagan and he has each way hopes at best.

You Got To Me – Ralph Beckett

A winner of last year’s Irish Oaks at the Curragh who improved as the season went on. The form of that most recent win was franked on multiple occasions by the likes of Content and Elizabeth Jane amongst others. She won first time out last season, but this is tougher and she has a dozen lengths to find with Jan Brueghel based on their meeting at Doncaster in the St Leger. There will be better days ahead for this talented daughter of Nathaniel.

Bellum Justum – Andrew Balding

Has won a Group 2 already this season when winning the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last month. The form of the race is not really working out though and whether the four-year-old is truly up to this level remains open to debate. The yard remains in good form, but there are others in here who should be capable of better than him.

Ancient Wisdom – Charlie Appleby

This son of Dubawi has been a slight disappointment so far this season. Having won five times in his career to date, the Godolphin representative seems to be at his best on ground where there is plenty of give. He would have hated the conditions on his last two starts at Newbury and Sandown, so it is with credit that finished so close to Al Aasy last time out. He could only be backed if there were significant downpours and even then, only each way.

Continuous – A P O’Brien

He is a five-year-old now and has failed to beat a rival in his two most recent starts. It is hard to believe he is a former St Leger winner, who seems sadly to be on the decline. He is bang out of form and is passed over readily. He needs to be dropped in grade to get a confidence boost.

Coronation Cup Betting Tips

Jan Brueghel e/w

Jan Brueghel can account for his French counterpart here. He has only met with defeat once in his career and that came on his seasonal reappearance just a few short weeks ago. His trainer will likely have left plenty to work on and he looks back-able each way at around 5/1.

More Epsom Derby Festival Tips

Discover our expert previews and betting tips for other major races at the Derby festival:

• Epsom Oaks
• Epsom Dash
• Epsom Derby