Derby 2025 Race Overview

19 runners will go to post for the 2025 Derby at Epsom. After his defeat in the Dante Stakes at York, The Lion In Winter has conceded favouritism to stablemate Delacroix (Ryan Moore's chosen ride) but 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court and Pride Of Arras are firmly in the mix too.

By using the Derby runners guide above, you are getting the latest runners, but also the very best odds from the most reputable bookmakers.

Derby Runner-by-Runner Guide

Steve Ryder has previewed each of the 2025 Derby runners. You can also check out his best bets for the race advised at best prices through oddschecker.

The Lion In Winter

Lost his unbeaten record in the Dante Stakes at York when only able to finish 6th having raced keenly in the early stages of the race. The son of Sea The Stars beat a better fancied stablemate at the Curragh over 7f on his debut before beating Wimbledon Hawkeye and Ruling Court in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York.

Ruling Court

Justified his huge price-tag with a victory in the 2000 Guineas on his latest start. Stayed on strongly over the mile trip at Newmarket giving the impression that a step up in trip to 1m4f would suit and his sire Justify produced the winner City Of Troy last season. Could only finish 3rd behind The Lion In Winter in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes but his season has been more straightforward it seems.

Delacroix

Finished either first or second on his five starts as a juvenile including a victory over Stanhope Gardens in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October. Finished only a nose behind Hotazhell in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy on his final start last season before justifying a price of 4/7 to win the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on his reappearance which is a race that produced the Derby winner in 2016 with Harzand. He won the Palace Hotel Derby trial by 2 ¾ lengths last time at Leopardstown and has been given an ‘old style’ preparation by Aidan O’Brien.

Lambourn

Won his first two starts before finishing last of five in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes on his final start last season when unsuited by the fitting of blinkers. Finished 2nd behind Delacroix on his reappearance but won the Chester Vase last time by 1 ½ lengths. Could run well in a Derby but looks more of St Leger prospect.

Stanhope Gardens

Finished 3rd behind Ruling Court on his debut at Sandown before justifying favouritism in a Beverley maiden on his next start by 2 ¼ lengths. He ended last season finishing a neck 2nd behind Delacroix in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes and he is bred to improve as a three-year-old and over a longer distance.

Tennessee Stud

Stepped forward from a debut 3rd at Galway to win at Tipperary over 1m1f on his second start. He finished 2nd beaten only ¾ length behind Hotazhell in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes on his next start before winning the Group 1 Criterium De Saint-Cloud over 1m2f on heavy ground on his final start last season. He holds an entry in the Irish 2000 Guineas but his future looks sure to be over further.

Al Wasl Storm

Bought for just €7,000 from a National Hunt foal sale, Al Wasl Storm lines up after winning a Chester maiden. With owner Ahmad Al Shaikh’s strong record with longshots in the Derby, he can’t be fully dismissed despite a low rating of 86.

Damysus

The striking Frankel colt trained by John & Thady Gosden ran a big race in the Dante, finishing second behind Pride Of Arras. He hung left under pressure at York, which could be a concern down Epsom’s famous camber.

Green Storm

Despite only one career win, Green Storm boasts solid form, including a close second in a French Group 1. His Feilden Stakes defeat raises questions, and his rating of 107 may flatter his true ability.

Lazy Griff

A Group 3 winner as a juvenile, Lazy Griff ran a bold race to finish second in the Chester Vase on return. With a front-running style and rating of 105, he could set the tempo at Epsom.

Midak

Supplemented for £75,000, the unbeaten Aga Khan-owned colt comes here on the back of a stylish win in the Prix Greffulhe. Like 2011 winner Pour Moi, he’s aiming to complete the French-Epsom double.

New Ground

Supplemented by Juddmonte, New Ground was a dual juvenile winner and has placed in two runs this season. He’ll need to improve over the Derby trip to feature in the finish.

Nightime Dancer

A Southwell novice winner, Nightime Dancer finished third in the Lingfield Derby Trial. While Adayar won the Derby after defeat in the same race, this year’s field looks more competitive.

Nightwalker

This Frankel colt ran respectably in both the Feilden Stakes and the Dante. His staying style suggests the step up to 1m4f at Epsom could play to his strengths.

Rogue Impact

James Owen’s runner beat Al Wasl Storm in a Lingfield maiden but struggled in the Derby Trial on his next start. With a rating of 86, he looks up against it here.

Sea Scout

The only course winner in the field after landing the Blue Riband Trial at 40/1, Sea Scout faded in the Dante when stamina was tested. His ability to stay 1m4f is a key unknown.

Tornado Alert

Fourth in the 2000 Guineas at 50/1, Tornado Alert showed ability over a mile but needs to settle better to stay this longer trip. A dark horse for Saeed bin Suroor.

Tuscan Hills

An impressive juvenile winner at Pontefract, Tuscan Hills ran a solid race in the Dante. His connections have history with big-priced Derby placers, so he could outrun his odds again.

Derby Winners, Trends & Stats

The Derby is arguably the most prestigious of the British Classics and is often referred to by flat trainers and jockeys as the race that they most want to win. There are a variety of ‘trial’ races for the Derby including at Chester, York, Lingfield and Sandown as well as the 2000 Guineas. Galileo won this race in 2001 and his offspring won a further five renewals with New Approach (2008), Ruler Of The World (2013), Australia (2014), Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentine (2020).

• 21 of the previous 23 winners had raced no more than five times before
• 19 of the previous 23 winners had previously won a group race
• 19 of the previous 23 winners had finished 1st or 2nd last time out
• 15 of the previous 23 winners had run over at least 1m2f before
• Nine of the previous 23 winners were trained by Aidan O’Brien

Derby Trainers & Jockeys to Watch

Aidan O’Brien is the leading trainer in the Epsom Derby with 10 victories overall. A further seven of those have come since the victory of Camelot in 2012 including the previous two years with Auguste Rodin (2023) and City Of Troy (2024). Charlie Appleby has won it twice in recent years with Masar (2018) and Adayar (2021) but Andrew Balding is yet to win the race despite having 13 runners in it.

Unsurprisingly, given his association with the Aidan O’Brien stable, Ryan Moore is the leading jockey in recent years. He has won the race four times since 2010 including the previous two renewals. William Buick, who will be riding the well fancied Ruling Court, won the race aboard Masar in 2018.

Derby Pace & Tactics

The Epsom Derby is often described as the ultimate test for a thoroughbred because of the unique demands of the track. Looking at the recent trends, it is often an advantage to be drawn high with nine of the previous 11 winners came from Stalls 7 to 14.