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.
2024
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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