Few names in British racing command the respect of John Gosden. With a career spanning decades, Gosden has become synonymous with Classic success, tactical acumen, and the ability to coax the very best from blue-blooded colts and fillies alike.
Now training in partnership with his son Thady, the Gosden team has twice scaled the Derby summit.
The first time around was with Benny the Dip in 1997 and then memorably with Golden Horn in 2015, when they not only won but also saddled the runner-up, Jack Hobbs, breaking the stranglehold of Aidan O’Brien in the process.
As the 2025 Epsom Derby approaches, the Gosdens return to the Downs with a pair of intriguing contenders: Damysus and Nightwalker.
Neither is among the market leaders, but history shows that the Derby is no stranger to upsets, and both colts bring credentials that merit close inspection.
The Challenge of the Derby
The Epsom Derby remains the richest and arguably most prestigious flat race in Britain, a searching test of stamina, speed, and balance over a mile and a half on one of the most idiosyncratic tracks in the world.
In recent years, Aidan O’Brien has dominated the race, notching up ten victories since 2001 and sending out the last two winners.
Yet, the Derby’s roll of honour is dotted with winners at double-figure odds, including Serpentine (25/1 in 2020) and Wings of Eagles (40/1 in 2017), reminding us that it pays to look beyond the obvious.
With 19 runners declared for the 2025 edition and a field brimming with unexposed talent, the Gosdens’ duo face a formidable challenge, but both have shown enough to suggest they could play a part in the finish.
Damysus: The Upwardly Mobile Contender
Profile: 3yo chestnut colt by Frankel, out of Legerete (Rahy)
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Jockey: James Doyle
Derby odds: 12-1
Damysus arrives at Epsom with a progressive profile and a pedigree tailor-made for the Derby.
Sired by Frankel, whose progeny have excelled over middle distances, and out of a Rahy mare, Damysus has both class and stamina in his blood.
His three-race career began with a comfortable win at Southwell over 7 furlongs, but it’s his performances in the major trials that mark him out as a live contender.
In the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown, Damysus finished a close third, showing tenacity and improvement.
He then stepped up again in the Dante Stakes at York, traditionally one of the strongest Derby trials, finishing a strong second to Pride Of Arras, closing late and suggesting the extra two furlongs at Epsom will suit him well.
Thady Gosden, after a racecourse gallop at Epsom, remarked on his intelligence and adaptability, noting how Damysus “pricked his ears coming to the line” and handled the track’s undulations with maturity.
Strengths:
- Proven Group form: Second in the Dante, a key Derby trial
- Pedigree: By Frankel, with stamina and class on both sides
- Progressive profile: Improving with each run, lightly raced and open to further progress
- Track experience: Handled Epsom well in a pre-Derby gallop
- Trainer form: The Gosden stable is operating at a 28% strike rate in the fortnight leading up to the Derby
Potential Concerns:
- Experience: Only three career starts; the Derby can be a rough, tactical race
- Has yet to win at Group level, though his trial form is strong
Damysus ticks many of the boxes for a Derby horse: he’s progressive, bred for the job, and has already shown he can mix it with the best of his generation.
While he may lack the star billing of some rivals, his Dante run puts him right in the mix, and he looks certain to appreciate the extra distance.
If he continues his upward trajectory, he could easily be involved at the business end.
Nightwalker: The Unexposed Improver
Profile: 3yo grey colt by Frankel, out of Sleep Walk (Oasis Dream)
Owner: Juddmonte
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Derby odds: 20-1 to 40-1
Nightwalker’s path to Epsom has been less straightforward, but he brings an intriguing profile.
Initially trained by Sir Michael Stoute, he won a maiden at Yarmouth last autumn before joining the Gosdens for his three-year-old campaign.
This season, he’s run creditably in two key trials: third in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket and fifth in the Dante, where he was noted for staying on late after a troubled start.
Connections believe the Dante run did not show Nightwalker to best effect. Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s general manager, pointed out that Nightwalker stumbled at the start and was forced to race further back than ideal, yet finished well and gave every indication that a step up to the Derby trip would suit him.
The colt’s pedigree supports this view, being by Frankel out of a mare by Oasis Dream, suggesting a blend of speed and stamina.
Strengths:
- Stamina: Connections are confident the mile and a half will bring out improvement
- Pedigree: By Frankel, bred to stay and progress with racing
- Unexposed: Only five starts, with scope to improve over the Derby distance.
- Trainer confidence: The Gosden team are “very happy with him,” and he handled the Epsom gallop well.
- Resilience: Recovered from a poor start in the Dante to finish strongly, showing determination and a good attitude.
Potential Concerns:
- Form: Yet to win or place in a Group race; needs to find improvement to trouble the principals
- Experience: Has not faced as many top-level rivals as some in the field
Nightwalker is a colt with untapped potential. His Dante run can be upgraded given the poor start, and the extra distance at Epsom could be the making of him.
While he needs to improve on bare form, he has the pedigree and temperament to do so, and the Gosdens are adept at eking out improvement from this type of horse.
He may not be the obvious pick, but he is far from a no-hoper.
Can Either Gosden Runner Win the Derby?
Both Damysus and Nightwalker arrive at Epsom as outsiders, but neither can be dismissed.
Damysus, in particular, has the form and profile of a colt who could run a big race, while Nightwalker’s potential over the trip makes him a fascinating dark horse.
The Derby is a race that rewards stamina, balance, and the ability to handle the occasion, qualities both colts have shown in their preparations.
The field is deep, with O’Brien’s trio of Delacroix, Lambourn, and The Lion In Winter dominating the betting, and other notable contenders such as Ruling Court and Pride Of Arras.
Yet, as recent history has shown, the Derby is rarely a procession for the favourites.
The likes of Serpentine and Wings of Eagles or even Adayar who won off 16/1 in 2021, have upset the odds in the last decade, and Gosden himself broke O’Brien’s winning run in 2015 with Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs.
The O’Brien Factor
Aidan O’Brien’s record in the Derby is formidable, with ten wins and a reputation for turning out multiple live contenders each year.
However, Gosden has shown he can beat the Ballydoyle juggernaut on the biggest stage.
In 2015, Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs finished first and second, ending O’Brien’s three-year winning streak.
Gosden has also bested O’Brien in other major races, such as the Champion Stakes with Cracksman in 2017, underlining his ability to strike when it matters most.
Verdict: Do Damysus or Nightwalker Have a Real Chance?
While neither Damysus nor Nightwalker is a clear favourite, both have realistic claims of running well, and Damysus in particular looks capable of making the frame if he continues his progression.
Nightwalker, though less exposed, could improve markedly for the step up in trip and is not without hope at a big price.
The Gosden team are bullish about their chances, and both colts have shown they can handle Epsom’s unique demands in their preparatory gallops.
Given the open nature of this year’s Derby and the history of shock results, it would be no surprise to see one of the Gosden duo in the shake-up.
Damysus, with his Dante form and proven stamina, may hold the stronger hand, but Nightwalker is not far behind and could outrun his odds if everything falls right.
In a race where the unexpected so often happens, the Gosden pair are worthy of respect, and perhaps, just perhaps, one of them could add a third Derby triumph to the family’s illustrious record.
BETFRED
