The Epsom Derby, or simply “the Derby”, is the race after which so many others around the world have been named. Its name comes from the race’s early association with the Earl of Derby and it was first contested all the way back in 1780. It is a Group One contest and the most prestigious Flat race in the UK and also the richest, with almost £1m going to winning connections in 2022. It is run at Surrey’s Epsom Downs course on the first Saturday in June, over a distance of a mile and four furlongs (and six yards if we want to be precise!).
One of the five Classics of British Flat racing it is, like the other four, only open to the Classic generation, which is to say those aged three years. Technically both colts and fillies can take part (though not geldings) but in reality fillies rarely enter, the last doing so in 1998. Legendary jockey Lester Piggott won this a record nine times, whilst equine greats such as Voltigeur, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Shergar, Galileo, Sea The Stars and Golden Horn also feature on the roll of honour.
2026 - Christmas Day
Aidan O'Brien extended his dominant record in the Derby as Christmas Day powered to a decisive victory under Ronan Whelan in soaking conditions. The 7-1 shot travelled just behind stablemate Action before moving through to lead and pulling clear in the closing stages. Several of the better-fancied runners struggled to make an impact in the relentless rain, allowing Maltese Cross to emerge as the best of the home challenge in second, with James J Braddock staying on for third. Christmas Day crossed the line two and three-quarter lengths clear to give O'Brien a 50th British Classic win.
- 1st – Christmas Day 7/1, Jockey: Ronan Whelan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd – Maltese Cross 12/1, Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: Willam Haggas
- 3rd – James J Braddock 9/1, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle, Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien
2025 - Lambourn
Lambourn virtually made all the running to produce a dominant performance at Epsom, beating 50-1 outsider Lazy Griff by almost four lengths. Wayne Lordan sent the son of Australia straight into the lead and gradually increased the tempo as the field approached Tattenham Corner. Lazy Griff briefly threatened three furlongs out, but Lambourn found plenty when asked to stretch clear and was never seriously challenged in the closing stages. Tennessee Stud finished third, while 2-1 favourite Delacroix could only manage ninth after being hampered near the top of the hill and losing his position.
- 1st - Lambourn 13/2, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd - Lazy Griff 50/1, Jockey: Christophe Soumillon, Trainer: Charlie Johnston
- 3rd - Tennessee Stud 28/1, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle, Trainer: Joseph Patrick O’Brien
2024 - City Of Troy
City Of Troy bounced back from his disappointing 2,000 Guineas effort to produce a brilliant performance at Epsom. Ryan Moore settled the 3-1 favourite in mid-division before gradually making his way through the field. Once in the straight, he found a clear path and quickened decisively, taking the lead two furlongs from home, despite the distraction of the riderless Voyage in front. Ambiente Friendly stayed on strongly but could not match the winner's finishing speed, with City Of Troy crossing the line two and three-quarter lengths clear.
- 1st - City Of Troy 3/1F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd - Ambiente Friendly 9/2, Jockey: Robert Havlin, Trainer: James Fanshawe
- 3rd - Los Angeles 6/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
2023 - Auguste Rodin
For a brief moment, King Of Steel looked capable of producing one of the biggest shocks in Derby history when the 66-1 shot hit the front two furlongs from home. Ryan Moore, however, had kept Auguste Rodin patiently positioned in behind and gradually brought him into contention. The favourite eventually wore down the outsider inside the final 100 yards to win by half a length. Nobody else was ever in contention, with third-place White Birch finishing over five lengths behind the leader. Arrest, Frankie Dettori's final Derby effort, could only manage 10th in a disappointing finish for the great Italian.
- 1st - Auguste Rodin 9/2, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd - King Of Steel 66/1, Jockey: Kevin Stott, Trainer: Roger Varian
- 3rd - White Birch 12/1, Jockey: Colin Keane, Trainer: John Joseph Murphy
2022 - Desert Crown
On an afternoon when Epsom paid tribute to Lester Piggott, the greatest jockey in Derby history, Richard Kingscote, on board Desert Crown, produced a performance worthy of the occasion. The 5-2 favourite was settled just behind the leaders before making smooth progress towards Tattenham Corner. Kingscote then asked for his effort in the straight and Desert Crown quickly put the race beyond doubt, powering clear for a two-and-a-half-length success. Hoo Ya Mal, a 150-1 shot, finished second ahead of fellow outsiders Westover and Masekela.
- 1st - Desert Crown 5/2F, Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
- 2nd - Hoo Ya Mal 150/1, Jockey: David Probert, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 3rd - Westover 25/1, Jockey: Rob Hornby, Trainer: Ralph Beckett
2021 - Adayar
Adam Kirby almost missed out on his Derby ride after initially being booked for the stronger-looking John Leeper, but the change worked out perfectly as he partnered Adayar to a four-and-a-half-length victory. The Godolphin colt was settled towards the rear early on before making smooth progress against the far rail. He quickly moved through the field and burst clear in the final furlong, leaving 50-1 outsider Mojo Star in second. John Leeper, who Kirby would have been partnered with if not replaced by Frankie Dettori, finished way back in ninth.
- 1st - Adayar 16/1, Jockey: Adam Kirby, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd - Mojo Star 50/1, Jockey: David Egan, Trainer: Richard Hannon
- 3rd - Hurricane Lane 6/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
2020 - Serpentine
Serpentine produced one of the most extraordinary Derby performances in recent memory by making virtually all the running and storming clear at Epsom. The unfancied 25-1 shot was sent into an early lead by Emmet McNamara and quickly established a huge advantage over his rivals. By Tattenham Corner, he was well clear and continued to gallop relentlessly to win by five and a half lengths. If this was not shocking enough, Khalifa Sat, priced at 50-1, finished second and 66-1 chance Amhran Na Bhfiann finished third, resulting in a trifecta that paid out at 56,000-1 on the Tote – not that many would have backed it!
- 1st - Serpentine 25/1, Jockey: Emmet McNamara, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd - Khalifa Sat 50/1, Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 3rd - Amhran Na Bhfiann 66/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
2019 - Anthony Van Dyck
Anthony Van Dyck prevailed in a thrilling finish to give Aidan O'Brien a record-equalling seventh Derby victory, although the result was far from certain until the closing strides. Sir Dragonet and Madhmoon battled for the lead inside the final furlong, while Japan and Anthony Van Dyck joined the fight from either side. Seamie Heffernan's mount found enough to hit the front inside the final 100 yards and held on by half a length. A photo finish was required to see who finished second, with Madhmoon, Japan, Broome and Sir Dragonet separated by just a nose and two short heads in a truly remarkable four-way battle.
- 1st - Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) 13/2, Jockey: Seamie Heffernan, Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
- 2nd - Madhmoon (IRE) 10/1, Jockey: Chris Hayes, Trainer: Kevin Prendergast
- 3rd - Japan 20/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
2018 - Masar
Masar gave Godolphin a long-awaited first Derby victory as William Buick guided him to a convincing success at Epsom. Saxon Warrior, the 2,000 Guineas winner and odds-on favourite, struggled after a slow start from the less-than-ideal stall one, and never looked in serious contention. His stuttering beginning blew this race wide open, and Masar took full advantage as the chestnut horse moved into a strong position around Tattenham Corner and took control as the field entered the straight. Dee Ex Bee stayed on to finish second but never really challenged, with Masar in full command.
- 1st - Masar (IRE) 16/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd - Dee Ex Bee 20/1, Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa, Trainer: Mark Johnston
- 3rd - Roaring Lion (USA) 6/1, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: John Gosden
2017 - Wings of Eagles
Little-known jockey Padraig Beggy completed one of the biggest stories in Derby history when guiding 40-1 outsider Wings Of Eagles to victory. Having served a one-year drugs ban in Australia, Beggy was riding in the Classic for the first time and produced a perfectly judged finish to take glory. Cliffs Of Moher appeared to have the race under control inside the final two furlongs, but failed to quicken when it mattered. Wings Of Eagles steadily closed the gap before sweeping past to win by three-quarters of a length, making him the Derby’s biggest-priced winner since Snow Knight’s success at a handsome 50-1 back in 1974.
- 1st - Wings of Eagles (FR) 40/1, Jockey: Padraig B. Beggy, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien
- 2nd - Cliffs of Moher (IRE) 5/1, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien
- 3rd - Cracksman 7/2F, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden
2016
- 1st - Harzand (IRE) 13/2, Jockey: Pat Smullen, Trainer: D K Weld
- 2nd - US Army Ranger (IRE) 7/2F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien
- 3rd - Idaho (IRE) 14/1, Jockey: Seamie Heffernan, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien
2015
- 1st - Golden Horn 13/8F, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden
- 2nd - Jack Hobbs 4/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: John Gosden
- 3rd - Storm The Stars (USA) 16/1, Jockey: Pat Cosgrave, Trainer: William Haggas
2014
- 1st - Australia 11/8F, Jockey: Joseph O'Brien, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien
- 2nd - Kingston Hill 15/2, Jockey: Andrea Atzeni, Trainer: Roger Varian
- 3rd - Romsdal 20/1, Jockey: Richard Hughes, Trainer: John Gosden