The iconic Epsom Downs racecourse takes centre stage this weekend as it hosts its premier meeting – the 2025 Derby Festival.
Racing’s stars will gather in the South of England, for an all-action two-days featuring 15 races – highlighted by the running of two British Classics.
The former is the Oaks which headlines the card on Ladies Day, whilst the latter is the Festival’s namesake and Britain’s richest flat-race – the Derby – ran on the second day.
A distance of 1.5 miles awaits three-year-old fillies and colts looking to cement themselves into history, and claim a share of prize money worth around £1.5 million.
O’Brien to star again
This year’s renewal will see Aidan O’Brien go in search of his 11th Derby winner and claim his first British Classic win of the season.
He trains the ante-post favourite Delacroix, who trades at 9/4, finding himself at the top of the market after stablemate The Lion In Winter drifted in price.
The latter had been backed into favouritism despite suffering defeat in the Dante, at York, but is now trading at 6/1 with most bookmakers.
Delacroix’s two runs this season have seen him first past the post in Group 3 contests at Leopardstown – in the first of which he defeated subsequent Chester Vase-winning stablemate Lambourn.
Who will Ryan Moore ride?
Ballydoyle stable jockey Ryan Moore finds himself with a choice of which horse he will mount in the Derby and O’Brien said: “Ryan will make his mind up as late as he can.
“Obviously, I’d imagine it’s between Delacroix and The Lion In Winter. At the moment, I would say it would be hard for him not to ride Delacroix, but that’s not to say he won’t.
“He’ll have to see how The Lion In Winter is, where they are both drawn and stuff like that.”
The booking of Moore is sure to be significant, as the three-time British Champion Jockey is a four-time winner of the Derby, with the Ballydoyle-pair combining to win the last two runnings of the race.
Dante winner in the running
Dante winner Pride of Arras is one of two horses sandwiched between the aforementioned O’Brien runners in the ante-post market.
Trainer Ralph Beckett’s horse made his seasonal reappearance in North Yorkshire, and is the only undefeated colt in the field, having raced once last season.
Jockey Rossa Ryan, who is set to ride him at Epsom Downs, said: “I sat on him last week and he seemed in good stead.
“He looks great and he has tightened up a lot. There is plenty of life about him and everything is right.
“Ralph will have him A1 and he wouldn’t be running him if he didn’t think he would be bang there with a chance.
“If we get there safe and sound and have one good rattle at them there will be no excuses.”
If he were to get his head in-front at the winning post, it would be Ryan’s first British Classic winner and Beckett’s first win in this race.
He currently trades at 4/1, Ruling Court – who is looking to become trainer Charlie Appleby’s third Derby winner.
The 2000 Guineas winner reappeared this season at Meydan in March, where he won a Listed Contest before going on to claim the first British Classic of the season.
In his two runs last season, he won a Class 4 race – at Sandown – before finishing behind The Lion In Winter, in a Group 3 race, at York.
Winning partnership
He is likely to resume his Guineas-winning partnership with William Buick, who is ever-present in the Godolphin saddle and is looking for his third British classic win of the campaign.
Of the others at the top of the market, Damysus is worthy of a mention, for two-time Derby-winning trainer John Gosden and son Thady.
After winning on debut last year, he has placed in third and second in two group contests – the latter of which was behind Pride Of Arras.
He gives the Gosdens a shot at adding to their Irish 2000 Guineas victory earlier this season.
How to watch on TV?
ITV will screen the action live and for free on terrestrial TV, whilst Racing TV will broadcast their coverage on channel 424, for subscribers only.
The race is due off at 3:30pm on Saturday, June 7.
READ MORE: Epsom Derby Festival 2025 – Dates, how to watch on TV, trainers and jockeys to watch
