As the 246th running of the Epsom Derby approaches, all eyes are on Delacroix, the colt who has emerged as the clear favourite in the betting markets for the 2025 renewal.
Trained by the legendary Aidan O’Brien, ridden by Ryan Moore, and owned by the formidable trio of Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, and Michael Tabor, Delacroix brings together a team with a remarkable Derby pedigree.
Here’s a comprehensive look at why Delacroix is Derby favourite and the horse to beat at Epsom this year.
The Case for Delacroix
Delacroix’s rise to Derby favouritism has been built on a sequence of high-class performances, particularly in his three-year-old season.
After a solid two-year-old campaign, where he notched up wins and ran with credit in Group company, Delacroix has gone unbeaten in 2025, landing both the Ballysax Stakes and the Leopardstown Derby Trial Stakes with authority.
These victories have not only showcased his stamina and tactical speed but also his ability to improve with each run, a key trait for Derby success.
His most recent win in the Leopardstown Derby Trial was particularly impressive, where he asserted his dominance over subsequent Chester Vase winner Lambourn, pulling clear in the closing stages.
The Racing Post Ratings (RPR) have consistently marked him as a top-class performer, and his official rating of 116 puts him right among the leading three-year-olds of his generation.
Derby Runners & Odds
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Delacroix | A P O’Brien | R L Moore | 4/1 |
| 11 | Pride Of Arras | R M Beckett | Rossa Ryan | 9/2 |
| 13 | Ruling Court | C Appleby | W Buick | 9/2 |
| 17 | The Lion In Winter | A P O’Brien | C T Keane | 13/2 |
| 5 | Lambourn | A P O’Brien | W M Lordan | 17/2 |
| 2 | Damysus | J & T Gosden | James Doyle | 12/1 |
| 7 | Midak | F Graffard | M Barzalona | 14/1 |
| 15 | Stanhope Gardens | R M Beckett | Hector Crouch | 14/1 |
| 10 | Nightwalker | J & T Gosden | Tom Marquand | 25/1 |
| 16 | Tennessee Stud | J P O’Brien | D McMonagle | 25/1 |
| 18 | Tornado Alert | S bin Suroor | Oisin Murphy | 28/1 |
| 8 | New Ground | H F Devin | Alexis Pouchin | 40/1 |
| 6 | Lazy Griff | C Johnston | C Soumillon | 50/1 |
| 19 | Tuscan Hills | Raphael Freire | D Egan | 50/1 |
| 1 | Al Wasl Storm | Owen Burrows | David Probert | 80/1 |
| 4 | Green Storm | C Johnston | Billy Loughnane | 100/1 |
| 14 | Sea Scout | S & E Crisford | Harry Davies | 100/1 |
| 9 | Nightime Dancer | R Hannon | J P Spencer | 125/1 |
| 12 | Rogue Impact | James Owen | L Morris | 150/1 |
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Pedigree Power
Delacroix, the Derby favourite, is a son of Dubawi, one of the world’s leading sires, and out of Tepin, a multiple Grade/Group 1-winning mare.
While Dubawi has yet to sire a Derby winner, his progeny have excelled at the highest level globally, and Delacroix’s dam brings an extra layer of class and versatility.
The stamina in his pedigree, with Dubawi’s influence and Tepin’s toughness, suggests that the Derby’s mile-and-a-half trip should suit him perfectly.
Jockey and Trainer: The Dream Team
Ryan Moore, confirmed as Delacroix’s rider, is widely regarded as one of the best jockeys in the world and has already won the Derby four times (2010, 2013, 2023, 2024).
Moore’s tactical nous and composure under pressure are invaluable at Epsom, a track that tests both horse and rider with its undulations and camber.
Aidan O’Brien, Delacroix’s trainer, holds the record for the most Epsom Derby wins with ten victories, including the last two runnings with Auguste Rodin (2023) and City Of Troy (2024).
His ability to prepare a horse for the unique demands of the Derby is unmatched, and his recent strike rate, operating at 32% in the fortnight leading up to Derby weekend, underscores that Ballydoyle is in top form.
Ownership: A Proven Derby Partnership
The ownership trio of Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, and Michael Tabor is synonymous with Derby success.
Together, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, have celebrated eleven Derby wins since 2001: Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Pour Moi (2011), Camelot (2012), Ruler Of The World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019), Serpentine (2020), Auguste Rodin (2023), and City Of Troy (2024).
Their investment in bloodstock and their partnership with O’Brien and Moore have become a dominant force in British Classic racing.
Delacroix’s Race Record and Stats
| Date | Race & Grade | Distance | Result | Jockey | Notable Rivals Beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 May 2025 | Leo 3yG3 50K | 1m2f | 1st | W M Lordan | Purview |
| 30 Mar 2025 | Leo 3yG3 30K | 1m2f | 1st | R L Moore | Lambourn |
| 26 Oct 2024 | Doncaster C1 2yG1 | 1m | 2nd | R L Moore | Hotazhell |
| 12 Oct 2024 | Newmarket C1 2yG3 | 1m | 1st | R L Moore | Stanhope Gardens |
| 14 Sep 2024 | Leo 2yG2 78K | 1m | 2nd | R L Moore | Green Impact |
| 10 Aug 2024 | Curragh 2yMd 10K | 7f | 1st | R L Moore | Acapulco Bay |
| 25 Jul 2024 | Leo 2yMd 9K | 1m | 2nd | R L Moore | Green Impact |
Lifetime Record: 7 runs, 4 wins, 3 seconds, £201,146 earnings.
The Competition
While Delacroix heads the market at odds of around 4/1, the field is deep and talented.
Chief among his rivals is Ruling Court, the 2,000 Guineas winner, who is drawn well in stall 7 and is expected to be a major threat if he stays the Derby trip.
Pride Of Arras, the Dante Stakes winner, and The Lion In Winter, another O’Brien-trained colt, also have strong credentials, but Delacroix’s proven stamina and progressive profile give him the edge.
Aidan O’Brien: The Master of Epsom
Aidan O’Brien’s record in the Derby is extraordinary. Since his first win with Galileo in 2001, he has set the standard for training Classic horses.
His meticulous preparation, attention to detail, and ability to bring horses to peak form for the big day have made him the dominant force at Epsom.
O’Brien’s runners are always to be respected, but Delacroix’s position as the stable’s leading hope, confirmed by Moore’s decision to ride him, speaks volumes about the confidence behind the horse.
Jockey Ryan Moore
Ryan Moore’s partnership with O’Brien and the Coolmore team has produced some of the most memorable moments in recent Derby history.
Moore’s four Derby wins include successes on Workforce (2010), Ruler of the World (2013), Auguste Rodin (2023), and City Of Troy (2024).
His experience at Epsom, tactical intelligence, and ability to deliver under pressure make him a huge asset to Delacroix’s chances.
Draw and Field Size
Delacroix will break from stall 14 in a field of 19, the largest Derby line-up since 2003.
While a wide draw can be a small disadvantage, Moore’s skill and Delacroix’s tactical versatility should help mitigate any potential issues.
The ground is expected to be good, with a showery forecast, which should suit most runners.
Delacroix brings together all the ingredients of a Derby winner: class, stamina, top connections, and a progressive profile.
While the Epsom Derby is never an easy race to win and the field is packed with talent, Delacroix’s credentials make him a worthy favourite for the 2025 edition.
Should he win, he will not only add another chapter to the remarkable stories of Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore, and the Coolmore partners but also potentially make history for his sire, Dubawi.
The 2025 Epsom Derby promises to be a compelling contest, but all the evidence points to Delacroix as the horse most likely to have his name etched alongside the greats of the past.
Racing fans will be watching closely as the Epsom Derby favourite seeks to justify his status and deliver another Classic triumph for one of racing’s most successful teams.
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