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The Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
2025 Epsom Derby betting predictions, odds, and race previews
THERE's rarely a dull Saturday in the racing world, though you'll definitely need to dust off your top hat for this weekend's action. The cream of the thoroughbred crop is off to Epsom for the Betfred Derby, the second Classic of the season for the three-year-old colts. This year's race feels open, with the favourite being Delacroix for the insatiable Aidan O'Brien at the time of writing, a trainer who has won this a record 10 times. Delacroix has strong form and a pedigree that suggests he'll stay this trip, but plenty deserve a look. Leading the opposition are key trial winners Ruling Court and Pride Of Arras, while the unbeaten French horse Midak has been supplemented for this in the colours of the late Aga Khan IV - with the race being run in his honour. We've taken an in-depth look at the fields to bring you our very best Epsom Derby betting predictions below, with tips in each and every race at Epsom Downs on Saturday. 🏇 2025 Derby Day: picks and tips The card for Epsom Derby Day is a fabulous one, with no less than three Group contests across the eight-race card, as well as some seriously competitive handicap heats. With each race looking fairly tricky to solve, we've picked out a bet in each and every race for you below, including in the Derby itself. Odds are provided by our recommended horse racing sites. 📋 2025 Derby Day schedule There's plenty to get stuck into on Derby Day, with the big race due off at 3.30pm. You can find the full schedule for Saturday's meeting at Epsom Downs below. Start time Race Distance 1:00 pm 5:40 pm 1M 113Y 1:35 pm The Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) 1M 113Y 2:10 pm The Betfred 3YO 'Dash' Handicap Stakes 5F 2:45 pm The Aston Martin 'Dash' Handicap Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 5F 3:30 pm The Betfred Derby (In honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV) (Group 1) 1M 4F 4:15 pm The Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap Stakes 1M 4F 5:00 pm The Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap Stakes 1M 2F 5:40pm The JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap Stakes 6F Our best pick for the 2025 Betfred Epsom Derby (Group 1) A stellar renewal of the UK's most prestigious Flat race. Several trial winners feature, including 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court. That form has been boosted since by the runner-up Field Of Gold winning the Irish equivalent, though he must prove he stays the trip. Pride Of Arras' victory in top trial the Dante Stakes stands out and while he has modest connections by the Derby's standards, he looked very classy indeed when striking at York. Behind him was The Lion In Winter, a top juvenile from last year who could build on his reappearance in sixth. Unbeaten French challenger Midak is fascinating, but Delacroix looks the best option. A high-class juvenile, he returned by winning the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in March, a race which has produced four Derby winners this century. This year's form has been boosted too, with the second (Lambourn) and the fourth (Puppet Master) going on to win trials in their own right. The choice of Ryan Moore, he appeals as a horse who will handle any ground and improve for the step up in trip. He looks the best option for his all-conquering trainer. 1:00 - Group 3 The Princess Elizabeth Stakes tip This is a tricky puzzle to solve. The ground could be sticky by post time and Skellet is versatile in that regard, winning a Listed contest in the autumn. She is interesting, while Bright Thunder would be one to note if the heavens opened. Both Chic Colombine (second) and Royal Dress (third) had nightmare runs in this last year and are back for more, but Bermuda Longtail catches the eye. Admittedly, three-year-olds don't have a great record in this, but she's got better with each of her four runs and is fancied to improve past several of these, with her price of 5/1 with BetMGM looking fair. ➡️ 1:35 - Group 3 The Betfred Diomed Stakes prediction This race is named after the inaugural Derby winner and several deserve a look. Docklands jointly leads the betting at the time of writing some classy form under his belt, though the undulations of Epsom may not play to his strengths considering he's at his best on straight miles. German challenger Geography is interesting for a yard who have had success on these shores before, but it's hard to ignore joint favourite Persica at 2/1 with bet365. He found Group 1 company at Newbury too hot last time, but had been progressing well prior to that and will handle the track having won a handicap on this day last year. 2:10 - The Betfred 3YO 'Dash' Handicap Stakes pick A fast and furious affair, in which the thriving Ruby's Profit ought to take all the beating. The daughter of Profitable has bags of speed and couldn't be in better form, still looking ahead of her mark when picking up a second win of the campaign at Goodwood last time. A 3.95 favourite with SBK, she only has one way of running and a 6lbs rise may not be enough to stop her from going in again. The reopposing Mademoiselle finished well behind the favourite last time and she rates as a big threat if she is able to learn from that experience. ➡️ Back Ruby's Profit in the 3YO Dash at 59/20 with SBK 2:45 - The Aston Martin 'Dash' Handicap Stakes pick A fiendishly difficult puzzle to solve, particularly when you note that five of the last 10 winners have returned at odds of 16/1 or higher. A mixture of a good draw and tactical speed can often prove to be a good combination, drawing the eye to Spartan Arrow. He's got low mileage for a sprinter but has been kept busy this year, winning twice from five starts. The latest of those wins was a career best effort to win from the front in April. He faded at York last time, but he's a strong traveller and it would be no surprise to see him give this a good go from a high draw. It looks worth backing him each-way at 13.5 with SBK. 4:15 - The Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap Stakes predictions Yet another tough equation and a chance is taken on Maxi King each-way. He was thriving when completing a hat-trick in the mud this time last year and while he's been in and out since, he signed off with a solid run at Doncaster in November. He's capable of running well fresh and returns having had a gelding operation over the winter. It would be no surprise to see him go well here should the rain continue to fall and he looks worth backing each-way at around 16/1 with bet365. Both Valvano and Small Fry have plenty going for them in opposition and can't be ruled out, either. ➡️ Back Maxi King each-way in the Northern Dancer Handicap at 16/1 with bet365 5:00 - The Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap Stakes tip A race in which excess rain would cause havoc, with plenty of these showing their best form on faster ground. Chartwell Jack represents a yard that has won this three times in the last 10 years and is respected after a solid run at Ascot last time, while Grecian Legacy showed plenty of improvement for a gelding operation when winning on reappearance at Goodwood. War Hawk is another last time out winner that can't be ignored, but Hornsea Bay could be the way to go. He's shown some fairly useful form so far and while he struggled last time, he has been gelded since and should suit the step up in trip. Trading at 5/1 with BetVictor, he gets the vote for his ultra-shrewd connections. 5:40 - The JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap Stakes prediction Yet another sprint race on the card that looks wide open. Circe arrives here in the form of her life, after back-to-back successes over six furlongs this term. She had to dig deep last time and faces a career high mark but is respected, while Eye Of Dubai and Rousing Encore would come into play on soft ground. A chance is taken however on the 2023 winner Badri. A ten-time winner, he was 8lbs higher when taking this two years ago and is slipping down to a tempting mark. Drawn in stall one, he can strike under Hollie Doyle, with his price of 7/1 with BetMGM looking more than fair. About the author James Anderson James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing. Find James on LinkedIn Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Midak bids to deliver poignant victory in ‘Aga Khan's' Epsom Derby
The imperious Shergar and Harzand book ended the late Aga Khan IV's five Epsom Derby winners and on Saturday Midak can provide a poignant win in the race which is named in his honour this year. Adding to the potential for a fairy tale, Midak is prominent French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard's first runner in the race considered to be the 'blue riband' of flat racing. The Aga Khan, for decades a leading owner-breeder of thoroughbreds and whose grandfather Aga Khan III also won the Derby five times, died aged 88 in February. Graffard, 48, says it is coincidental the 'historic' Aga Khan colours – a green top with red epaulettes and a green cap – will be represented. Midak impressed Graffard so much he persuaded Aga Khan Studs to pay £75,000 (HK$798,500) to supplement him for the race on Monday. 'When I came up with the idea of entering him I did not know it was being renamed in his honour,' said Graffard. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard (centre) at Sha Tin in April. Photo: Kenneth Chan 'Circumstances have colluded, it is great. It makes me even more excited. Definitely makes the fact Midak is running even more special. They are prestigious and historic racing colours.' HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Graffard said triumphing at his first attempt would be magical for the Aga Khan's family. 'Yes, you dream about these days,' he said. 'However, we know how hard it is to win Group One races, especially a Derby. 'It is my first runner in the race, we will learn plenty of things and hopefully come back in the future.' Midak will face 18 rivals as he bids to become only the fourth French winner of the Derby in the past 60 years. Graffard has won one classic for Aga Khan Studs this season, Zarigana benefiting from Shes Perfect's disqualification in the French 1,000 Guineas, prompting unsavoury behaviour from the latter's owners who yelled 'It's a joke' at the Aga Khan's daughter Princess Zahra as she was interviewed. The Aga Khan addresses an audience in 2015. Photo: AP Graffard, 54, has been heavily involved in the racing operation for many years. Although he was assistant trainer for a couple of years to Alain de Royer Dupre, the Aga's principal trainer until he retired in 2021, his encounters with him were rare. 'Unfortunately I only met him twice,' said Graffard. 'I would have loved to have gone racing with him and learned from his experience. 'However, Princess Zahra is very experienced and it is really interesting to make plans with her.' This teamwork has resulted in them entering Midak and pitting their wits against Delacroix – bidding to give Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien a record-extending 11th winner – and father-son partnership John and Thady Gosden's Damysus. Midak might never have even been a contender given that Graffard at one point considered gelding him – geldings are barred from running in the Derby – owing to his 'tricky temperament'. Midak remains unbeaten with a straight-forward success in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud!🇫🇷 Another progressive type for @GraffardRacing and @AgaKhanStuds! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2025 'He was really difficult to train,' said Graffard. 'But I decided I would take him to the races before I resorted to [gelding him] and see how he fared. 'In his second race at Chantilly he was very green and jumped the road crossing the track, but he ended up winning nicely.' Things went smoother on his last start, winning the Group Three Prix Greffulhe (2,100m) – the same race that Pour Moi, France's last winner of the Derby in 2011, also captured. 'He ran much more professionally,' said Graffard. 'He is basically improving all the time.' Graffard says this season has only underlined that he made the right decision in opting to become a trainer rather than pursuing a career as a lawyer. 'It is a little bit crazy to think in the next fortnight we have two runners at Epsom then the Prix Diane and after that Royal Ascot,' he said. 'It is the dream job.'
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Midak deemed worthy of ‘shot in the dark' Derby bid
Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten son of Footstepsinthesand will sport the famous silks of the Aga Khan Studs in the premier Classic, which is this year run in honour of the late Aga Khan IV, and connections are daring to dream he has the right attributes to justify his £75,000 supplementary fee. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. Midak remains unbeaten with a straight-forward success in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud!🇫🇷 Another progressive type for @GraffardRacing and @AgaKhanStuds! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2025 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona (jockey) thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced but you never know until they get there. 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' The Aga Khan enjoyed many great days at Epsom, winning the Derby on five occasions and only 12 months ago his green and red colours were carried to Oaks victory by Dermot Weld's Ezeliya. His first winner was legendary Shergar in 1981, while it was some 35 years later in 2016 that the home bred Harzand was the last of his quintet to return to Epsom's famous winner's circle. 🟢🔴 The Aga Khan Studs are excited to supplement unbeaten colt #Midak for Saturday's Gr.1 Derby @EpsomRacecourse. The 246th running of this prestigious Classic will be run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who won 5 times with #Shergar, #Shahrastani, #Kahyasi, #Sinndar & #Harzand. — Aga Khan Studs (@AgaKhanStuds) June 2, 2025 Now 25 years on from Sinndar's triumph on the Downs, Midak will attempt to add his name to the roll of honour following a rapid rise through the ranks. Routh continued: 'He's sort of come a little bit out of nowhere, but he's a very good looking horse – a big, strong horse. 'He had a few setbacks at two so we weren't really able to appreciate his level of ability and then first time out he kind of surprised us by the way he won and then he's won again and then again in a Group Three at Saint-Cloud.' Explaining the decision to roll the dice at Epsom rather than at Chantilly last weekend, Routh added: 'He wasn't in the Prix du Jockey Club and he earned himself an 'in' to the Grand Prix de Paris, but that isn't until July and we were kind of looking for a race to run him in and we just felt it was a nice thing to do and have the colours represented.'
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Midak deemed worthy of ‘shot in the dark' Derby bid
Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten son of Footstepsinthesand will sport the famous silks of the Aga Khan Studs in the premier Classic, which is this year run in honour of the late Aga Khan IV, and connections are daring to dream he has the right attributes to justify his £75,000 supplementary fee. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. Midak remains unbeaten with a straight-forward success in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud!🇫🇷 Another progressive type for @GraffardRacing and @AgaKhanStuds! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2025 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona (jockey) thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced but you never know until they get there. 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' The Aga Khan enjoyed many great days at Epsom, winning the Derby on five occasions and only 12 months ago his green and red colours were carried to Oaks victory by Dermot Weld's Ezeliya. His first winner was legendary Shergar in 1981, while it was some 35 years later in 2016 that the home bred Harzand was the last of his quintet to return to Epsom's famous winner's circle. 🟢🔴 The Aga Khan Studs are excited to supplement unbeaten colt #Midak for Saturday's Gr.1 Derby @EpsomRacecourse. The 246th running of this prestigious Classic will be run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who won 5 times with #Shergar, #Shahrastani, #Kahyasi, #Sinndar & #Harzand. — Aga Khan Studs (@AgaKhanStuds) June 2, 2025 Now 25 years on from Sinndar's triumph on the Downs, Midak will attempt to add his name to the roll of honour following a rapid rise through the ranks. Routh continued: 'He's sort of come a little bit out of nowhere, but he's a very good looking horse – a big, strong horse. 'He had a few setbacks at two so we weren't really able to appreciate his level of ability and then first time out he kind of surprised us by the way he won and then he's won again and then again in a Group Three at Saint-Cloud.' Explaining the decision to roll the dice at Epsom rather than at Chantilly last weekend, Routh added: 'He wasn't in the Prix du Jockey Club and he earned himself an 'in' to the Grand Prix de Paris, but that isn't until July and we were kind of looking for a race to run him in and we just felt it was a nice thing to do and have the colours represented.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Midak deemed worthy of ‘shot in the dark' Derby bid
Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten son of Footstepsinthesand will sport the famous silks of the Aga Khan Studs in the premier Classic, which is this year run in honour of the late Aga Khan IV, and connections are daring to dream he has the right attributes to justify his £75,000 supplementary fee. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. Midak remains unbeaten with a straight-forward success in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud!🇫🇷 Another progressive type for @GraffardRacing and @AgaKhanStuds! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2025 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona (jockey) thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced but you never know until they get there. 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' The Aga Khan enjoyed many great days at Epsom, winning the Derby on five occasions and only 12 months ago his green and red colours were carried to Oaks victory by Dermot Weld's Ezeliya. His first winner was legendary Shergar in 1981, while it was some 35 years later in 2016 that the home bred Harzand was the last of his quintet to return to Epsom's famous winner's circle. 🟢🔴 The Aga Khan Studs are excited to supplement unbeaten colt #Midak for Saturday's Gr.1 Derby @EpsomRacecourse. The 246th running of this prestigious Classic will be run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who won 5 times with #Shergar, #Shahrastani, #Kahyasi, #Sinndar & #Harzand. — Aga Khan Studs (@AgaKhanStuds) June 2, 2025 Now 25 years on from Sinndar's triumph on the Downs, Midak will attempt to add his name to the roll of honour following a rapid rise through the ranks. Routh continued: 'He's sort of come a little bit out of nowhere, but he's a very good looking horse – a big, strong horse. 'He had a few setbacks at two so we weren't really able to appreciate his level of ability and then first time out he kind of surprised us by the way he won and then he's won again and then again in a Group Three at Saint-Cloud.' Explaining the decision to roll the dice at Epsom rather than at Chantilly last weekend, Routh added: 'He wasn't in the Prix du Jockey Club and he earned himself an 'in' to the Grand Prix de Paris, but that isn't until July and we were kind of looking for a race to run him in and we just felt it was a nice thing to do and have the colours represented.'
