Epsom Derby Tips & Betting Preview 2026

The first ever running of the Epsom Derby came in 1780 and it was won by Diomed who was owned by Sir Charles Bunbury. The date of the actual race has changed throughout the years from May through to July depending on the reason. Its usual place in the calendar is the first Saturday in June.

The Epsom Derby has been adapted by many other nations around the world who have come up with their own versions. They include the Derby Italiano, the Deutsches Derby, the Irish Derby and of course the Prix De Jockey Club, but nothing compares the real thing.

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

Epsom Derby 2025 – Race Overview

• Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025
• Time: 3:30 PM BST
• Racecourse: Epsom Downs Racecourse
• Distance: 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 10 yards (approximately 2,423 metres)
• Runners: 19 three-year-old colts
• Prize Money: Total purse of £1.5 million, with the winner receiving £909,628
• Age: Open exclusively to three-year-old colts and fillies

Epsom Derby Trends & Key Stats

• A P O’Brien has a strong record in the race, having won it eight times since 2012
• Ryan Moore is looking for a hat-trick of wins in consecutive years
• Charlie Appleby is the only trainer to have recorded multiple wins in recent times: Masar and Adayar
• The former Champion Jockey has won the race no fewer than four times overall
• 10 of the last 12 winners have come from stalls 7-12
• Only three winners have come from stall 1 since 1967
• 8 out of the last 24 favourites have won

Epsom Derby Runners – Key Contenders

Al Wasl Storm – Owen Burrows & David Probert

Needs to step up on all known form, having won a maiden at Chester last time out. His draw in stall thirteen is far from ideal and whilst the yard have been getting winners, he will need to find stacks of improvement to trouble the market leaders. Still progressive but will have better days ahead of him.

Damysus – John & Thady Gosden & James Doyle

Progressing nicely but has been beaten in lesser races that this in his two runs this season. He has something to find with Prince Of Arras and has to conclusively prove that he will see out this extra couple of furlongs. He should run his race, but likely to find a few too good.

Delacroix – A P O’Brien & Ryan Moore

He has been all the rage and is the preferred mount of Ryan Moore who is looking for a third straight win in this race. He knows the horse well and has partnered him to three of his four career wins to date. Ballydoyle certainly have the knowledge of what it takes to win this race and he is expected to improve for the extra couple of furlongs. Confidence will be high that he can add his name to the history books.

Green Storm – Charlie Johnston & Billy Loughnane

This yard are not well known for producing Derby types and whilst he has been fairly consistent, he was beaten far too easily last time to be considered here. He is likely to be up there setting the pace before falling back through this massive field. Hard to fancy on that basis.

Lambourn – A P O’Brien & Wayne Lordan

Returned to winning ways when winning the Chester Vase last time out. It has to be a negative that Ryan Moore has opted for Delacroix instead, but Wayne Lordan is no mug. Lambourn has a bit of form to find to find with Delacroix who beat him in his first race of the season, but there is obviously further improvement to come with him. He looks to have a decent pitch in stall ten and he can make the frame.

Lazy Griff – Charlie Johnston & Christophe Soumillon

Has it all to do in order to reverse recent form with Lambourn. He is certainly a Group horse, but probably a lesser light than most of these. His opportunities will come some way down the road in lesser company than this.

Midak – Francis Henri Graffard & Mikael Barzalona

A fascinating combination and a topical winner as the race is being run in the memory of the Aga Khan this year. He is running in those famous colours so proudly associated with Group 1 racing. He has been impressive in each of his three starts including when tackling Group 3 company last time out. Every chance of further improvement and Mikael Barzalona has won this race before.

New Ground – Henri Devin & Alexis Pouchin

Hard to make a case for having been so easily brushed aside in listed company last time out. The form of the race is not working out and it would be a bit of a shock if he were to turn over these rivals.

Nightime Dancer – Richard Hannon & Jamie Spencer

He is at least proven over this trip, but that win came in novice company back in April. He has been subsequently well beaten by Puppet Master in the Lingfield Derby Trial and A P O’Brien will know just how good that form is. He could go well for a while but is likely to be outclassed where it matters.

Nightwalker – John & Thady Gosden & Tom Marquand

He was firmly put in his place by Pride Of Arras in the Dante Stakes at York last time. He tried to make a move some way from home last time, but ultimately had nothing in reserve when push came to shove. He also has to turn form around with Damysus and that will prove difficult in itself.

Pride Of Arras – Ralph Beckett & Rossa Ryan

Unbeaten in two starts for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. He was having his first run when easily disposing of Damysus at York in the Dante Stakes. He is also fully entitled to improve on that performance and now that he is fully race fit, he looks sure to play a hand in the finish here despite being drawn in stall sixteen. He has to have every chance.

Rogue Impact – James Owen & Luke Morris

Completely fluffed his lines when last of six to Puppet Master in the Lingfield Derby Trial and beaten ten lengths. He is surely better than that level of form having already accounted for Al Wasl Storm earlier in the season. The trainer is having a good year, but this genuinely looks a step too far.

Ruling Court – Charlie Appleby & William Buick

Was a brave winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket holding off the challenge of Field Of Gold by a little under a length. The step up in trip is an obvious unknown, but the form of his last race has worked out well and no reason to think he cannot improve from it. Godolphin are having a fantastic year by their usual standards in these big races and he deserves his place near the head of the market.

Sea Scout – Simon & Ed Crisford & Harry Davies

Caused somewhat of a shock when winning the blue-ribband trial here on his seasonal reappearance at odds of 40/1. The form of that race has not worked out at all and that proved to be the case when he struggled against the likes of Pride Of Arras and Damysus in the Dante. He has it all to do despite previous winning course form.

Stanhope Gardens – Ralph Beckett & Hector Crouch

Made the most of a step back down in class on his seasonal reappearance at Salisbury where he readily accounted for Spirit Of Farhh. That form remains untested, but he was previously only beaten a neck by Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket back in October. Whilst he looks to be the stable second string on paper, he could well be anything and a big run cannot be ruled out.

Tennessee Stud – Joseph O’Brien & Dylan Brown McMonagle

Is proven at this level, so it was surprising to see him so brutally dismissed by Delacroix in the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown last time. He may well have just needed the run but he could certainly run a bigger race than many think. He could be a forgotten horse or he could just be regressive. A lively each way outsider.

The Lion In Winter – A P O’Brien & Colin Keane

You could hear a pin drop in the Dante when this then odds on favourite was swept aside by Pride Of Arras as well as several other re-engaged here. He was the ante-post favourite for a long time prior to that run and stable are still bullish about his claims having booked Colin Keane to ride. There is most likely further improvement to come and no surprise if he leaves that Dante form well behind him here.

Tornado Alert – Saeed Bin Suroor & Oisin Murphy

For being so inexperienced, he ran a mighty race in the 2000 Guineas when beaten by Ruling Court. There could well be much better to come from this imposing son of Too Darn Hot. The booking of Oisin Murphy is intriguing and if there is anyone who can conjure improvement from a horse it is the former Champion jockey. Not a forlorn hope and likely to outrun his odds.

Tuscan Hills – Raphael Freire & David Egan

His form ties in with plenty of these from the Dante at York and he needs to improve beyond all recognition. He had previously won both of his races prior to the York run in decent fashion. Could see him improve a bit, but without turning the tables on many of those that beat him last time.

Epsom Derby Betting Tips

Main tip (NAP): Ryan Moore – Delacroix to win
Each-way tip: Hector Crouch – Stanhope Gardens

You cannot underestimate how good Ryan Moore is as a jockey. He knows every blade of grass at Epsom and will have Delacroix primed for a good run. He is worth a win bet. A horse that looks a decent each way bet in the race is Stanhope Gardens. He looks to be a horse with a serious future and it is unlikely we have seen the best of him.

My advice is to back Delacroix for the win and have a small saver on the Ralph Beckett runner.

More Epsom Derby Festival Tips

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

• Epsom Oaks
• Epsom Dash
• Coronation Cup

Epsom Derby FAQ