A year on from City Of Troy’s redemption win, the 2025 Betfred Derby features the biggest field since 2003 with 19 runners.
As the 2025 Epsom Derby approaches, anticipation is building for another chapter in Flat racing’s most prestigious contest.
But before the field of 19 goes to post on Saturday 7th June, it's worth looking back to last year’s winner and how it sets the tone for this year’s renewal.
In 2024, City Of Troy bounced back from a shock defeat in the 2000 Guineas to win the Derby in emphatic fashion, handing Aidan O’Brien a record-breaking 10th victory in the race.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the colt delivered a commanding late burst to seal victory by nearly three lengths, underlining just how quickly fortunes can change between Newmarket and Epsom.
With a bumper field of 19 declared for the 2025 Betfred Derby, anticipation is building ahead of Saturday’s feature race at Epsom Downs.
This year’s line-up features several standout contenders including Delacroix, Ruling Court, Pride Of Arras and The Lion In Winter.
The scale of the challenge is clear. Not since 2003, when Kris Kin triumphed in a 20-runner field, has the Derby attracted so many starters.
Aidan O’Brien, already the race’s most successful trainer having made it 10 wins last year, saddles three: Delacroix (the mount of Ryan Moore), The Lion In Winter (ridden by Colin Keane), and Lambourn (Wayne Lordan).
Make sure you check out Steve Ryder's preview and runners guide to read about the rest of the runners.
Who won the Epsom Derby in 2024?
City Of Troy was the emphatic winner of the 2024 Betfred Epsom Derby, producing a performance that will be remembered as one of the most dominant in recent years.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, the colt justified his trainer’s bold pre-race claims despite arriving at Epsom under a cloud of doubt following a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas.
Dropped in towards the rear early on, City Of Troy travelled smoothly through the 1m4f contest before quickening impressively around Tattenham Corner, slicing through the field and powering clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths.
The result gave O’Brien a record-breaking 10th Derby victory and a fourth for Moore, who described the son of Justify as “sensational” despite his inexperience.
City Of Troy was followed home by Ambiente Friendly in second, with Ballydoyle stablemate Los Angeles third.
O’Brien once again arrives with a powerful team led by Delacroix, the mount of Moore, while Ruling Court aims to emulate the rare Guineas-Derby double last achieved by Camelot in 2012.
With no standout like City Of Troy this time, the door is wide open.
Epsom Derby Key Trends
- 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
- 9 of the previous 23 winners were trained by Aidan O’Brien
