Epsom Derby Betting Preview

All eyes are on Epsom Downs this coming weekend as the Surrey track stages a race which reverberates around the world. The inspiration behind events such as the Kentucky Derby, Irish Derby, Deutsches Derby, Derby Italiano, and many more - the 1m4f Classic at Epsom remains the original and the best.

With £1.5 million in prize money on offer, the financial rewards are high on the day but not so vast as the breeding value bestowed upon the winner. Any colt which displays the balance, speed, stamina, and class to prevail around the twists and turns of this iconic track is all but guaranteed a lucrative career at stud.

In addition to the rich heritage, international appeal, and impact on the future shape of the breed, the Epsom Derby is also one of the biggest betting heats of the year. Always an enthralling contest, the 2025 edition has all the makings of a cracker.

The Main Contenders

Having claimed a record-setting ten wins, including each of the past two editions, Aidan O’Brien features high on the list of most punters. Things are no different in 2025.

All the following prices quoted are with Ladbrokes.

Delacroix, 7/2

On paper, Ryan Moore faced a tough decision on who to ride this year, with star juvenile The Lion In Winter, Chester Vase winner Lambourn, and Leopardstown Derby trial victor Delacroix all boasting much to recommend them. In the end, Moore plumped for Delacroix, cementing the colt's position at the head of the market.

On this season's form, it is easy to see why the yard's number one rider made this decision, although we suspect it must have been close. Losing out by just a nose in the Futurity Trophy on his final start at two, Delacroix stepped up on that effort to claim the influential Irish events of the Ballysax Stakes and Leopardstown Derby Trial. Plenty to like, but sire Dubawi has yet to produce a Derby winner, whilst Delacroix has won at no higher than Group 3 level and steps up to 1m4f for the first time.

Ruling Court, 7/2

Following the draw on Wednesday morning, Delacroix was swiftly joined at the head of the market by the 2000 Guineas champ. Hailing from the yard of Charlie Appleby, who claimed a first Derby success with Masar in 2018 and a second with Adayar in 2021, Ruling Court has long been held in high regard by Godolphin’s number one handler.

Always a strong event, the form of his 2000 Guineas success has already been franked, with the runner-up going on to slam the field in the Irish version of the race. The big question is the 4f step up in trip. However, there is hope in his pedigree. US Triple Crown winning sire, Justify, scored in Grade 1 company over this trip, whilst his dam is by the 2002 Derby champ High Chaparral.

Pride Of Arras, 9/2

Heading into the 2025 Dante Stakes with only a lowly maiden success to his name, Pride Of Arras was a barely mentioned outsider for this event. However, a smooth 1¼l victory in the key domestic trial saw the New Bay colt rocket towards the head of the market.

Trainer Ralph Becket has yet to claim the Derby but should have a good idea of what is required, having landed the fillies equivalent of the Oaks on two occasions. The silks of Mrs David Aykroyd aren't as recognisable as those of Coolmore or Godolphin, nor the pedigree so flashy, but that Dante display was right up there with the best form on offer heading into the race.

The Lion In Winter, 8/1

On the morning of the 15th of May, The Lion In Winter was expected to start favourite for the 2025 Derby with Ryan Moore in the saddle. Following a perfect two-from-two juvenile campaign, including an electrifying performance in the Acomb Stakes at York, all the talk suggested that this son of Sea The Stars was the next big Derby hope.

Given the hype, a sixth of 11 display in the Dante Stakes fell firmly into the underwhelming category. However, recent evidence suggests that we shouldn’t write off a colt who O’Brien made clear wasn't at peak fitness for that first outing of the season. Having inspired Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy to bounce back from woeful Guineas outings to land this prize, can O’Brien do it again? The riding arrangements suggest that Ryan Moore has his doubts, but on pedigree, juvenile form, and connections, The Lion In Winter is hard to leave out of calculations.

Best of the Outsiders

Much of the focus surrounds the four horses available at a single-figure price. However, it is worth noting that four of the past eight editions have fallen to a runner priced between 16/1 and 40/1. The market doesn’t always get this right.

Lambourn, 10/1

Of those shock winners over the past eight years, two hailed from the O’Brien operation. Regardless of the trend set by 25/1 chance Serpentine (2020) and 40/1 shot Wings Of Eagles (2017), it is easy to be drawn to the claims of this son of 2014 Derby hero Australia.

A Listed class winner at two, he kicked off his three-year-old campaign with a 2¼l second to Delacroix in the Ballysax Stakes. Having done all his best work late in that 1m2f contest, he went straight into our notebook as a potential Derby contender. Next time out in the Chester Vase, he took a significant step in the right direction to post a career-best win on his first crack at 1m4f. He may not boast the speed of some of his rivals but has no concerns in the stamina department.

Damysus, 12/1

The John Gosden operation is always to be feared in the Epsom Classics. Now training in partnership with son Thady, the veteran handler has an eye-catching contender in the Wathnan Racing-owned Damysus.

Only making it to the track in the December of his juvenile campaign, he began with an easy win in a Novice event at Southwell. Whilst yet to add to that success, he has stepped forward in each of his outings this term. Last sighted finishing best of the rest behind Damysus in the Dante, his effort is worth upgrading, considering he raced away from the main action. Doing his best work late, he is another who should enjoy this step up in trip.

Midak, 16/1

If there is the possibility of a poignant victory, the sport of racing has a habit of grasping it. As such, the eye is drawn to the French raider Midak, who sports the silks of the Aga Khan IV – the legendary owner-breeder who is officially honoured in the title of the 2025 race.

While it is never easy to place the French form into a British context at this time of year, Midak has done all that has been asked of him to date. Arriving with a perfect three-from-three record and representing 2024’s King George winning trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, he has realistic claims of becoming the first French-trained winner since Pour Moi in 2011.

Best Bets

A vintage renewal of the Epsom Classic. If pushed to select from those towards the head of the market, the 2000 Guineas champ Ruling Court has fewer questions to answer than Delacroix or The Lion In Winter and may have a slight class edge over Pride of Arras.

If seeing out the trip, the mount of William Buick may be tough to beat, but dangers lurk throughout the field. Damysus makes our each-way shortlist but is passed over in favour of Lambourn, who ought to be staying on as well as anything in a race which likely to be run at a frenetic pace. Midak is also worth considering for a place on the podium, having effortlessly landed the same French Group 3 as Pour Moi before his famous success 14 years ago.

• Best Win Bet - Ruling Court @ 7/2 with Ladbrokes
• Best Each Way Bet - Lambourn @ 10/1 with Ladbrokes

Tricast Prediction

• 1st - Ruling Court
• 2nd - Lambourn
• 3rd - Midak

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