Get your fascinators fluffed and your form guides ready because Epsom is calling. As summer edges closer, so does one of the most iconic dates in the British racing calendar.
The Derby, which will take place on June 7, 2025, isn’t just a race; it’s a tradition, a spectacle, and for many, the ultimate flat racing test with the biggest prize pot in the country.
If you only watch one flat race all year (but really, why would you stop at one?), make it this one.
With big-name trainers, rising star jockeys, and a field full of equine talent, this year’s Derby promises all the thrills and none of the filler.
Whether you’re backing a favourite or rolling the dice on an outsider with a good backstory, it’s the kind of race that gets hearts racing and pint glasses raised.
The Road to Epsom: How the Field is Decided
The journey to the Derby begins long before the runners thunder down the Epsom straight. In 2025, the first entry stage closed on February 23, when connections could enter their hopefuls for a fee of £3,000.
A second entry stage followed on April 23, at a higher cost of £12,000, allowing late-developing horses to join the fray. Between these stages, there are three confirmation deadlines, each requiring additional payments to keep a horse in contention.
The final opportunity to enter comes at the supplementary stage, just days before the race, but at a hefty price of £75,000!
From an initial pool that can number over 100, the field is gradually whittled down through these stages, with most horses dropping out as their form or fitness fails to justify the investment. By race week, only the most credible contenders remain.
Traditionally, the Derby field is capped at 20 runners, but in recent years, the final line-up has typically featured between 12 and 18 horses.
When City of Troy won the race in 2024, there were a total of 16 runners, two more than when Auguste Rodin took the spoils in 2023. So, who will join them in 2025?
2025 Contenders: A Closer Look
The betting markets, on any official casino site or bookmakers, for the 2025 Derby are led by a compelling selection of runners, each with their own story and credentials.
Here’s an assessment of the leading fancies:
The Lion In Winter
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, The Lion In Winter arrives at Epsom with the weight of expectation and a flawless record.
His two-year-old campaign featured a commanding maiden win at the Curragh, followed by a dominant display in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York, where he showcased both speed and composure.
What sets him apart is his ability to settle off the pace and unleash a powerful finishing kick, an attribute that bodes well for the Derby’s demanding mile-and-a-half distance.
O’Brien’s confidence in the colt is evident, and early reports suggest he has trained well over the winter. With proven form at Group level and a pedigree that screams stamina, The Lion In Winter is a worthy favourite and could well deliver O’Brien an unprecedented 11th Derby triumph.
Ruling Court
Ruling Court, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, surged into Derby contention with a decisive victory in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, a feat that always marks a horse out as a serious Classic contender.
His earlier form includes a maiden win at Sandown and a strong third behind The Lion In Winter at York last summer, before his win in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan in March, suggesting steady progression.
The key question for Ruling Court is stamina: all his wins have come at a mile or less, and Epsom’s 12 furlongs will be a new test. However, his Guineas performance hinted at untapped reserves, and his connections are confident he will stay the trip.
With William Buick likely to take the ride, Ruling Court has both the class and the team to mount a serious challenge, especially if he settles early and handles the camber of the track.
Delacroix
Delacroix, another from the O’Brien powerhouse, thrust himself into the Derby picture with a commanding win in the Group 3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial at Leopardstown, following up on his earlier success in the Ballysax Stakes.
His Leopardstown victory was marked by a smooth, professional performance, quickening clear in the final furlong and suggesting there is more to come.
Connections report that Delacroix is thriving at home, and his ability to travel strongly and quicken off a steady pace makes him a natural for Epsom.
While he may not have the flashy profile of The Lion In Winter, his progressive form and temperament could see him sneak under the radar and play a major role on Derby Day.
Twain
Twain, also representing Ballydoyle, is something of a dark horse in the field. His two-year-old season included a stunning six-length debut win at Leopardstown and a gritty victory in the Group 1 Criterium International in France.
Although he was withdrawn from the 2,000 Guineas to focus on the Derby, his pedigree, by Montjeu, a previous Derby winner, suggests he will relish the step up in trip.
Twain’s lack of a prep run this year leaves his current form open to question, but O’Brien has a history of producing Derby winners who peak at just the right time.
If Twain can reproduce his juvenile form, he could be a major player, particularly if the ground comes up soft.
Lambourn
Lambourn is the outsider among the leading fancies but cannot be dismissed lightly. His odds reflect a less glittering profile, but he has shown steady improvement in trial races and has the benefit of a tough, battle-hardened campaign.
His most recent win at Chester in the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes boosted his credentials, so while he lacks the Group 1 experience of his rivals, Lambourn’s connections believe he has more to offer, and a strong pace could play to his strengths as a late closer.
If the favourites falter, he could be the one to spring a surprise and reward each-way backers.
Derby Legends
The Epsom Derby is a race steeped in history and achievement. No trainer has dominated the modern era quite like Aidan O’Brien, who secured his record 10th Derby win in 2024 with City of Troy.
O’Brien’s roll of honour includes Galileo, High Chaparral, Camelot, Ruler of the World, Australia, Wings of Eagles, Anthony Van Dyck, Serpentine, Auguste Rodin, and City Of Troy – an extraordinary testament to his enduring excellence.
Among jockeys, the legendary Lester Piggott stands alone with nine Derby victories, a record unlikely to be surpassed. For owners, the Coolmore partnership (often in collaboration with O’Brien) has become synonymous with Derby success.
On the equine side, the Derby has produced its share of legends. Shergar’s 10-length demolition in 1981 remains the widest winning margin, while horses like Galileo and High Chaparral have gone on to shape the breed as sires.
No horse has ever won the Derby more than once, as the race is restricted to three-year-olds, but the names of its winners echo through the generations.
Looking Ahead
As Derby Day approaches, the storylines are compelling: Can The Lion In Winter confirm his status as the best of his generation?
Will Ruling Court emulate the greats who have completed the Guineas-Derby double?
Is there another twist in store from the O’Brien camp, with Delacroix or Twain poised to seize the moment?
Or will an outsider like Lambourn write a new chapter in Derby folklore?
What is certain is that, come June 7th, the eyes of the racing world will be fixed on Epsom Downs, awaiting the next champion to etch his name into the history of this great race.
The Derby remains, as ever, the ultimate test and the ultimate prize in British flat racing.
