Epsom Derby 2025: Preview, Best Bets & Final Prediction
This year’s Epsom Derby doesn’t have a ready-made winner. The form is scattered, the trials have made it anyone’s race, and none of the leading names have done enough to take control of the market. And that’s what will make this such a good race!
Since 1780, the Derby has been the defining test for three-year-old colts in Britain. It’s the oldest of the five British Classics and, frankly, the one that still matters most. The course is tricky, so it’s not a test of outright raw speed or breeding. It’s a test of whether a horse can keep its balance down Tattenham Corner, settle when asked to, and find something late without needing everything to go its way.
Aidan O’Brien sends a strong group of horses, as expected. But there are several outside the top handful in the market who have shown the kind of temperament and stride that suit Epsom’s layout more than the early odds would suggest!
We’ll cover the horses that are well worth a second look, see where the betting holds interest, and name the runner we think is best set up to handle the full mile and a half! And we’re off!
Race Details
- Race: The Betfred Derby (Group 1)
- Date & Time: Saturday, June 7, at 3:30 pm (BST)
- Location: Epsom Downs Racecourse
- Distance: 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards
- Surface: Turf
- Going: Good (forecasted)
- Prize Money: £1.5 million
Top 5 Contenders
The 2025 Epsom Derby field comes with form lines from several directions: Guineas, Leopardstown, York, and abroad. Below are the five horses that are in contention!
1. Delacroix (Trainer: Aidan O’Brien)
- Form: 212-11
- Odds: 9/4 favourite
Delacroix is coming off back-to-back wins in the Ballysax and the Derby Trial at Leopardstown, both of which were run with control and purpose. He’s handled ground variations, settles well, and has shown he can stay. Ryan Moore is expected to take the ride, and the yard has made no effort to play things down.
2. Ruling Court (Trainer: Charlie Appleby)
- Form: 1st in the 2,000 Guineas
- Odds: 9/2
Won the Guineas with a well-timed move and showed more balance than most expected him to. Stretching out to a mile and a half is the question, but if he settles early? His turn of foot gives him a chance to be involved late. No Guineas-Derby double since Camelot, but this one has earned the attempt.
3. Pride Of Arras (Trainer: Ralph Beckett)
- Form: Dante Stakes winner
- Odds: 5/1
Took control of the Dante and finished like a horse that was still learning. Beckett has brought him along with patience, and the York effort suggests there’s more to come. Handles a strong pace, travels gracefully, and doesn’t need perfect conditions to run well.
4. The Lion In Winter (Trainer: Aidan O’Brien)
- Form: Acomb Stakes winner; 6th in Dante
- Odds: 6/1
Looked the part last season and was the early Derby favourite until the Dante, where he never looked like he settled. Still has backing from the yard and has worked well since, so if he puts the pieces back together? He’s not far off the rest.
5. Midak (Trainer: Francis Graffard)
- Form: 3 wins from 3 starts
- Odds: 14/1
Supplemented for £75,000, which says a lot. Unraced outside France but has been brought up with care. The style is there; he’s tactically sound, travels on the bridle, and the connections clearly feel that he belongs here. A wildcard, but definitely not without merit.
Betting Odds
According to Racing Post, here are the current odds for the contenders:
- Delacroix – 9/4
- Ruling Court – 4/1
- Pride Of Arras – 4/1
- The Lion In Winter – 6/1
- Damysus – 10/1
- Lambourn – 12/1
- Midak – 14/1
- Stanhope Gardens – 16/1
- Nightwalker – 20/1
- New Ground – 20/1
Best Bets
The market is unsettled heading into Derby Day, and that leaves some wiggle room for a few firm positions. Here are what we think are the best bets!
Win Bet: Delacroix
Delacroix’s trial runs have been measured and professional. O’Brien has him coming in right, and with Moore likely up, there won’t be hesitation on tactics. Barring traffic, he looks like the most reliable option over the full trip.
Each-Way Bet: Pride Of Arras
Won the Dante Stakes with control and didn’t need heavy urging to stay on. Traveled well, responded when asked, and is built like a colt who’ll handle the extra distance without any issue. If the race runs true, he should be in the frame.
Longshot: Midak
Unbeaten but untested at this level, so the decision to supplement didn’t come lightly. He travels like a proper colt and could find his way into the frame if the race turns tactical. Midas is one to include at a price.
Final Verdict: Who Will Wear the Epsom Derby Crown?
Final Prediction
– Winner: Delacroix
– Runner-up: Pride Of Arras
– Sleeper/Longshot: Midak could possibly finish in the money at a big priceDon’t forget to always gamble responsibly! Odds can change as the race nears, so check for the latest on your sportsbook.
Because there isn’t a distinct separation among the top contenders, this year’s Epsom Derby needs a measured view. The trials did give us some glimpses, but there are no guarantees, and several runners arrive with legit claims depending on how the race unfolds.
Delacroix comes with the right combo: back-to-back trial wins, a proven trainer, and a rider who knows how to manage the course. He’s been brought along steadily and looks really well suited to the demands of this trip.
Pride of Arras comes in off a strong Dante performance. He settled early, moved with purpose, and finished without his tank on empty. If he finds a similar rhythm at Epsom, he’ll be in contention during the final stretch.
Midak is still the most interesting outsider. Three from three, supplemented by connections who don’t tilt at windmills, and has yet to show what his ceiling is. He could run into the places, or he could upend the whole thing if the race goes tactical.
Track conditions will matter. If the ground shifts, some of the bigger prices will look better. But on form, on balance, and on preparation? Delacroix is the pick.
