The 2025 Epsom Derby: My guide to the runners and riders
Ryan Moore will ride Delacroix, the favourite for the 246th Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday when 19 runners, the biggest field assembled for the Classic since Kris Kin won it in 2003, will go to post.
If there was not much in it for Moore between Delacroix and The Lion in Winter, the over-winter favourite who blew his lines in the Dante, the draw might have been the deciding factor. Delacroix, the winner of both his trials, landed in stall 14 with The Lion In Winter due to come out of stall 19 on the wide outside, a draw considered unfavourable in some quarters.
Aidan O'Brien has gone outside his regular Ballydoyle roster of riders with Colin Keane, the Irish champion fresh from winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, on The Lion In Winter. I am not sure it is the worst draw for the colt as he will either have to go forward or, more likely, have no choice but to drop in where he will be assured cover for the first two furlongs round a slight right-handed dog leg.
Lambourn, Aidan O'Brien's third string, has drawn the 'lucky' stall 10 where 10 previous winners have been launched from since starting stalls first introduced in 1967. The Dante winner Pride of Arras is two wider than Delacroix in stall 16. Ruling Court, the 2,000 Guineas winner who is vying for favouritism with Delacroix, has the best draw of the fancied runners in stall 7.
Puppet Master, a fourth Ballydoyle runner, was the only one of the 20 five-day confirmations not to go forward to Saturday's race at the new 72 hour stage. The ground, after the longest dry spring in over 30 years, is expected to be good, the weather over the two day Festival expected to be showery.
Derby 2025: confirmed runners and riders
Delacroix 5/2
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Smartish two-year-old who beat Stanhope Gardens in the Autumn Stakes. Better three-year-old winning both his trials at Leopardstown comfortably beating Lambourn and Tennessee Stud in those. By Dubawi, a brilliant sire yet to breed a Derby winner. Worthy favourite.
Ruling Court 3/1
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
If this gives Charlie Appleby a third Derby, then everyone will say it's obvious and it adds hugely to the race having the 2,000 Guineas winner in the field. Runner up from Newmarket went and won the Irish 2,000 so form is strong. Bred to get a mile and a half, by Justify, sire of last year's winner City of Troy, but was he screaming out for another half mile? Not totally sure he was.
Pride of Arras 5/1
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Went to York unconsidered for the Dante on his first start at three and a 66-1 shot for Epsom. Now third favourite. Inexperience (one previous winning start at two) proved no barrier when he went through a small to non-existent gap to come home a length and a quarter in front of Damysus. Along with Midak only unbeaten colt in race. Five star chance.
The Lion In Winter 6/1
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Colin Keane
Has worn the title 'over-winter favourite' for the Derby like an albatross round his neck. Held up in the spring, he needed the run in the Dante but blew any chance by over-racing early. That might have taken the freshness off him and we all know that O'Brien can turn one round in a short window but the lack of almost any market support since is a bigger worry from that outfit.
Damysus 11/1
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: James Doyle
Winner on the all-weather at two and placed in two trials at three, running on well behind Pride of Arras in the Dante. Dam won over a mile and a half and Frankel colts get a mile and a half so could improve for trip. Qatari owners have made a splash at Royal Ascot but yet to do so in a domestic Classic.
Lambourn 14/1
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: TBC
Not opening the batting for the Ballydoyle team today. Held by Delacroix on their Ballysax form although he went on to win Chester Vase. Proven at the Derby trip is a plus though as plenty of his rivals won't get it.
Midak 14/1
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Supplemented on Monday. Well, stranger things have happened than a horse winning whose late owner is commemorated in the title of this year's race. Unbeaten in three starts at three but never ran at two. Won the Prix Greffulhe last time, same race as Pour Moi, last French winner, on his way to Epsom.
Midak remains unbeaten with a straight-forward success in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud!🇫🇷
Another progressive type for @GraffardRacing and @AgaKhanStuds! pic.twitter.com/Vug9tCfE4f
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2025
Stanhope Gardens 16/1
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Hector Crouch
Interesting runner and somewhat unknown quantity from the same stable as Pride of Arras. Only a neck behind Delacroix at two puts him right in the picture. Had little more than a racecourse gallop in a three runner race at Salisbury a fortnight ago which should have blown the cobwebs away. If there's a double figure odds winner, he is the most likely.
Nightwalker 33/1
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Well behind Delacroix when they met at two. Blew the start in the Dante but was doing his best work at the finish in fifth. Hard to see him making a huge impact round here and probably owes his less than generous price (20-1) to his connections. Dam did not get a yard beyond six furlongs but was a half-sister to a St Leger winner - work that one out.
Tennessee Stud 33/1
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
Flat, jump, Ireland, Britain or Australia it makes no odds to his young trainer. A group One winner at two – the one thing this Derby lacks – in the mud, he has a lot of ground to make up on Delacroix on their last start. Needs rain.
Tornado Alert 33/1
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Fourth in the Guineas, goes the old saying, wins the Derby. Personally I think, by Too Darn Hot, he will be treading water in the last quarter mile but his trainer, who won this with Lammtarra in 1995, six years before the first of Aidan O'Brien's 10, is keen.
New Ground 50/1
Trainer: Henri-Francois Devin
Jockey: Alexis Pouchin
French runner also supplemented on Monday. Appears to like some cut in the ground so might be praying for rain. Horse that beat him a length in April was runner-up in French Derby on Sunday. By the same sire as Pride of Arras, should improve for trip and owners would not just be running for social outing so quietly respected without looking the likely winner.
Tuscan Hills 66/1
Trainer: Raphael Freire
Jockey: David Egan
Unbeaten in two starts at two but only seventh behind Pride of Arras in the Dante. Obviously he is entitled to come on for that but he has a lot to find. Owner Kia Joorabchian has gone close before with King of Steel who was also a 66-1 shot. Trainer would become the first Brazilian-born trainer to win the race in its 246 year history.
Green Storm 100/1
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Cost a snip at 12,000gns as a yearling but only one win from six starts puts him in here at 100-1. Does not have the pedigree nor the form to cause an Epsom upset and become the first Yorkshire trained winner since Dante in 1946. Any major influence on the race is likely to be getting in the way of something better.
Lazy Griff 150/1
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Opened his account last summer at Beverley (as did Stanhope Gardens) and I am not sure how many Derby winners have done that. Beaten by Lambourn in the Chester Vase but is entitled to come on for that race without necessarily reversing the form. Ridden by the French maestro Christophe Soumillon whose CV pretty much only lacks the Derby.
Sea Scout 100/1
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford
Jockey: Harry Davies
Won the Epsom trial but put pretty firmly in his place in the Dante without any real excuse. Had already proven he can handle the track which is one thing but the Epsom trial does not have a great record at producing Derby winners in the modern era.
Al Wasl Storm 150/1
Trainer: Owen Burrows
Jockey: David Probert
Silks responsible for a number of long priced runners-up in the race. Bred to get any trip, a mile and a half being the minimum. Owner entitled to tilt at windmills given record but this one might, in time, be better off with a few fences in front of him.
Nightime Dancer 150/1
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Sean Levey
No match for two Ballydoyle runners in the Lingfield trial including Puppet Master. Trip should be fine but not good enough although there is invariably a big long shot who finishes in the money.
Rogue Impact 250/1
Trainer: James Owen
Jockey: Luke Morris
Beat Al Wasl Storm in a maiden on the all-weather but 10 lengths behind Puppet Master in the Lingfield Trial getting very lit up in the race. Even if he handles the occasion, it is unlikely Luke Morris will be able to add this to his Arc win on Alborada.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
34 minutes ago
- Sky News
Diplomatic win for UK hosting US-China trade talks
Sky News understands that the Trump administration approached the UK government to ask if it would host round two of the US-China trade talks. This is a useful 'diplo-win' for the UK. The first round was held in Geneva last month. News of that happening came as a surprise. The Chinese and the Americans were in the midst of a Trump-instigated trade war. President Trump was en route to Saudi Arabia and suddenly we got word of talks in Switzerland. They went surprisingly well. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent and his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng, met face-to-face and agreed to suspend most tariffs for 90 days. But two weeks later, the Trump administration accused Beijing of breaking the agreements reached in Geneva. Beijing threw the blame back at Washington. On Wednesday, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping spoke by phone. The Chinese claimed this call was at the Americans' request. Either way, the consequence was that the talks were back on track. "I just concluded a very good phone call with President Xi of China, discussing some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, trade deal," President Trump said this week. From that call came the impetus for a second round of talks. A venue was needed. In stepped the UK at short notice. Beyond being geographically convenient, UK government sources suggest that Britain is geopolitically in the right place right now to act as this bridge and facilitator. The UK-China relationship is in the process of a "reset". Other locations, like Brussels or other EU capitals, would have been less workable. Crucially too, for the UK, this is also potentially advantageous as it seeks to get its own UK-US trade agreement, to eliminate or massively reduce tariffs, over the line. 5:08 Talks on reaching the "implementation phase" have been near-continuous since the announcement last month, but having the American principals in London is a plus. Sideline talks are possible, but even the presence of the US team in the UK is helpful. For all the chaos that President Trump is causing with his tariffs, he has instigated face-to-face conversations as he seeks resets. Key players are sitting down around tables - yes, to untangle the trade knots which Trump tied, but this whole episode has pulled foes together around the same table; it has forced relationships and maybe mutual understanding. That's useful. And for this next round, between superpowers, the UK is the host. Also useful.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Gardeners' World fave reveals £2 Asda trick to feed family veg all summer – & it's perfect for small spaces
WHAT could you do with a square meter in your outside space? Turns out - quite a lot - says Gardeners' World presenter Nick Bailey - who's spearheading new campaign Make a Metre Matter. 2 2 He wants to get Sun Gardening readers involved too - supporting wildlife and sustainability - and making the planet a better place. 'There's 20 million gardens in Britain. If 20 million people just dedicated one metre, that's quite a lot of metres isn't it?,' he told me. 'There are loads of ways you can make a meaningful difference, including growing plants for pollinators, growing veg to cut down on food miles and creating a compost heap.' Nick's created a Headline Show Garden for BBC Gardeners' World Live later this month - with lots of Make a Metre Matter ideas to take home. He added: 'You can grow nine lettuces in that space. You could grow four compact courgettes and supply your family with more courgettes than you could eat for the summer." Currently Asda are selling courgette seeds for £2 - and you can get them in the ground now. 'You could choose to put acid compost in there and put four blueberries in there " he said. "Within your first harvest you've made your money back.' 'Equally you could just sow some British native wildflowers, which could be as cheap as £2 to £3 for a packet. 'It will give you a brilliant long run of colour from May through to October, with lots of interest for pollinators. Gardeners' World's Monty Don fears 'decayed' knees from years of gardening could cut short TV career 'You could also create a square metre pond. In the first month you'll have about 10 species in the pond. "A year down the line you'll have 20 plus species and it just goes up and up and up. 'Insect and bees will come and feed from there, you'll support birds, you're supporting the aquatic life itself. 'It doesn't have to be a big space to make a big impact.' If you're inspired to make a difference - you can register your meter to be entered into a Gardeners World prize draw to win a £1k voucher to spend at Crocus or two runner up Crocus prizes of £500. Visit for more information. Gardeners World Live takes place at Birmingham NEC from June 12 - 15. Top tips, news and a great competition to win a £100 Westland plant feed bundle. TOP TIP Salvias are coming into their prime right now - especially the Mexican hardy shrubby ones like Hot Lips, Limelight and Amistad. To ensure you get the best blooms all summer, we've got some top tips from expert William Dyson, from Great Comp Garden in Kent Grow them in pots, or in your borders - they like free draining soil and sunshine. If you give them an extra chop in mid to late of July - cutting a third of the growth- they'll spring back and reward you with tons of flowers until November. Companion plant with perennials to give a cottage garden look Or make a statement in a large pot. Don't let them get too dry - they do like to be watered, Don't feed them with nitrogen plant food because you'll get more leaves and less flowers. Great Comp's summer garden show is on August 9 and 10. NEWS! The Beardy Gardener - an award-winning garden designer, broadcaster and mental health advocate, is hosting his first ever Garden Gathering on June 21 at the Longstock Park Nursery on the Leckford Estate, near Andover. The event supports Andover Mind 's 'Garden for Mind' initiative, a therapeutic green space dedicated to enhancing mental health and wellbeing. The Garden Gathering promises a vibrant day filled with expert-led workshops, live demonstrations, plant sales, and family-friendly activities. For more info visit NEWS! The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens across the UK while raising money for nursing and health charities. Visit the website to find a garden near you open this week. WIN! Thanks to Westland - we're giving away two amazing plant feed bundles worth over £100 each. Each one contains Boost Boost All Purpose Granules, plant feed, Big Tom, Rose feed, bug gard and others. To enter visit or write to Sun Westland Boost competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. June 28, 2025. T&Cs apply. JOB OF THE WEEK You can move a lot of houseplants outside now to make space or give them a bit of a boost with natural light. Water hanging baskets daily, start deadheading roses. TOP TIP - if you, like me, are struggling with blackfly right now - make a spray of washing up liquid (Ecover is best) and water - and give them a good soaking.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Amazon shoppers rush to buy ‘stylish powerhouse' £140 MagSafe portable charger – now just £27
I'VE tested my fair share of portable chargers, and this one ticks all the right boxes. The Aobbow MagSafe Power Bank is on sale right now, down 81% from £139.99 to just £26.99, and it has everything you need. Aobbow MagSafe Power Bank, £139.99 £26.99 BUY FROM AMAZON Amazon's no stranger to solid tech deals, but this one feels like it's punching well above its price tag. For under thirty quid, you're getting a 10,000mAh portable charger that's slim, travel-friendly, and loaded with features. It supports wireless charging and comes with two built-in cables, one Type-C and one Lightning, as well as two additional ports. That's a rare combo, and a design you usually only see in premium models that cost two or three times as much. Now, let's be honest, £139.99 may have been stretching it a bit. But £26.99 is a real bargain for what you're getting here, and it's the kind of deal I wouldn't think twice about if you need a reliable power bank. I've tested plenty of chargers in search of the best power banks out there, and this one hits that sweet spot between practicality and price. It's compact, lightweight, and genuinely useful for everyday life, whether that's commuting, travelling, or just for a quick top-up on the go. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. The reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive, with a near-perfect 4.9-star average and hundreds of buyers singing its praises. I haven't had this one in my hand yet, but in my opinion, it has everything I'd want in a portable charger. It's designed with iPhones in mind, supporting wireless charging from the 12 series all the way up to the latest iPhone 16 models. It even sticks to MagSafe-compatible cases, so it stays put while it charges. If you're not clear on the mechanics of wireless charging, our tech experts have a straightforward guide on how iPhone wireless charging works. But the Aobbow is far from limited to Apple gear, it supports wireless charging for Android phones, tablets, and other USB-C devices. The built-in display shows you exactly how much charge is left, which is a small touch that makes a big difference. And when you make full use of it, you can juice up to five devices at once, so it's great for family trips or group travel. People who've bought it seem genuinely impressed. One reviewer called it a 'stylish powerhouse,' adding, 'It gave my iPhone 15 about 50% juice in just 30 minutes. 'The 10,000mAh capacity easily delivers 1.5–2 full charges depending on your model.' Another praised its convenience, saying, 'It snaps right onto my phone and charges fast with the 20W. 'The built-in cables are a great bonus, and it's compact enough to carry daily. Great design, fast charging, and no hassle.' If you're after a reliable, well-equipped power bank that won't cost a fortune, this one's worth grabbing while it's around.
