As is generally the case in the Epsom showpiece, Aidan O’Brien dominated the head of the 2024 Derby betting market. Despite a hugely underwhelming display in the 2,000 Guineas, Champion Juvenile City Of Troy retained his place at the head of affairs, with all involved with the son of Justify continuing to place the utmost faith in the horse – including Ryan Moore, who opted to ride City Of Troy over stablemate Los Angeles, who had impressed many when landing the Leopardstown Derby Trial.
With the impressive Dante winner Economics skipping this assignment, runner-up Ancient Wisdom brought the York form to the table and proved popular in the betting for the William Buick/Charlie Appleby combo. However, the most significant gamble centred around James Fanshawe’s Lingfield Derby Trial winner, Ambiente Friendly, who was propelled into second favouritism in the lead-up to the race. Others to note included Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini, who had finished an unlucky-in-running second in the French 2,000 Guineas last time, and Bellum Justum, who was proven around this track, having landed the Blue Riband Trial Stakes in April.
Result
- 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
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £882,407.60
- 2nd – £334,540
- 3rd – £167,425.60
- 4th – £83,401.60
- 5th – £41,856.40
- 6th – £21,006
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £4
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.65, 2nd – £1.80, 3rd – £2.35
- Exacta – £18.20
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £13.64
- Trifecta – £114.20
- Tricast – £76.36
Recap
There was drama as the stalls opened, with Voyage’s Epsom journey lasting only a couple of strides before the horse skidded and sent Pat Dobbs crashing to the Epsom turf. As many anticipated, the Ballydoyle third string Euphoric set off to ensure this was a true test, with the son of Frankel encouraged into an early lead by Declan McDonagh. Stablemate Los Angeles followed him through, tracked by fellow Irish raider Dallas Star. Ambiente Friendly gained a nice early position in midfield, with Ryan Moore content to play the waiting game aboard City Of Troy, who sat last but one.
Reaching the top of the course, Euphoric and Los Angles continued to lead, with notable movers including Sayedaty Sadaty, who sat fourth tight against the inside rail, and Ancient Wisdom, who crept into sixth around the outside. City Of Troy covered up in the pack but now sitting ninth of the remaining 15.
Rounding Tattenham Corner and moving into the straight, Los Angeles travelled much the best of those towards the head of affairs as Euphoric and Dallas Star began to beat their retreat. However, dangerous challengers were emerging from out of the pack.
Ancient Wisdom threatened to get into, only for his run to quickly flatten out, but to his inside, Ambiente Friendly cruised into contention under a motionless Robert Havlin, looking to have the runners in front of him covered at the three-furlong pole. Unfortunately for Havlin, City Of Troy had found an irresistible stride towards the inside – showing a breathtaking turn of foot to surge past Ambiente Friendly and Los Angles to open up a two-length lead. Havlin kicked Ambiente Friendly into top gear to take second and give chase but never looked like getting to the brilliant winner, who came home almost three lengths clear.
Having witnessed Aidan O’Brien bring Auguste Rodin back from Guineas disaster to Derby glory in 2023, perhaps we should never have doubted the Ballydoyle maestro. Nevertheless, this represented a fine training performance, with City Of Troy right back to the form which saw him slice through the juvenile division. It was Derby win number 10 for O’Brien and a fourth for Ryan Moore.
Runners
- 1. Ambiente Friendly – SP: 9/2, Trainer: James Fanshawe, Jockey: Robert Havlin
- 2. Ancient Wisdom – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 3. Bellum Justum – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 4. City Of Troy – SP: 3/1F, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 5. Dallas Star – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Adrian Murray, Jockey: David Egan
- 6. Dancing Gemini – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Roger Teal, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
- 7. Deira Mile – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Owen Burrows, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 8. Euphoric – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Declan McDonagh
- 9. God’s Window – SP: 33/1, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- 10. Kamboo – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Richard Hughes, Jockey: Richard Kingscote
- 11. Los Angeles – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Wayne Lordan
- 12. Macduff – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 13. Mr Hampstead – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 14. Sayedatty Sadaty – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 15. Tabletalk – SP: 100/1, Trainer: James Doyle, Jockey: Tom Clover
- 16. Voyage – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Non Runners
All Ran