Log In

Meet the Contenders: Saturday's 246th Epsom Derby

by Jeremy Plonk

June 4, 2025

The Group 1 Epsom Derby has remained a highlight on the international calendar since 1780 and the 246th running of the English Classic from Surrey is set for Saturday. American followers have special interest as domestic turf star Tepin’s son Delacroix should go favored in a field of 19 that was drawn Wednesday. Post time for the Epsom Derby will be 10:30 am ET with first post from Epsom Downs at 8 am ET.

You can watch and wager on the full card from Epsom Downs with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet -- including a special international daily double tying the Epsom Derby to the same-day Belmont Stakes. Before that, we’ll get you up to speed with the 19 players in the mile and one-half showcase.

Let’s meet the contenders for the Epsom Derby (Race 5), listed in order of betting numbers and not the starting posts:

#1-AL WASL STORM: Purchased for a mere 7,000 pounds and by the obscure stallion Affinisea, many thought he was more suited for the jumps. Trainer Owen Burrows takes a massive leap in class off a maiden win at Chester in this colt’s third start. Debuted last of 7 at Newberry April 12 in an abbreviated campaign.

#2-DAMYSUS: Runner-up in the key Derby prep, the Dante, to return rival Pride of Arras. John & Thady Gosden train this Frankel colt, who has a win, second and a third from 3 starts. The elder Gosden reached Derby glory in 1997 with Benny the Dip and again in 2015 with Golden Horn.

#3-DELACROIX: American racing followers will flock to this son of star turf mare Tepin. First or second in all 7 starts for trainer Aidan O’Brien, a 10-time Epsom Derby winner. Dubawi colt has won both starts this year in Group 3 company at Ireland’s Leopardstown and was a nose runner-up in Group 1 company as a juvenile. Holds favoritism among many British bookmakers in the 5-2 to 3-1 range.

#4-GREEN STORM: 1-for-7 colt has run second 4 times, including France’s Group 1 Criterium at Saint-Cloud in October when chasing Derby rival Tennessee Stud. Returned a disappointing fourth in listed stakes company at Newmarket in April for his only start of 2025 under the eye of trainer Charlie Johnston.

#5-LAMBOURN: Fast-starting juvenile tailed off at the end of his freshman campaign, but has trended upward at 3, winning the Group 3 Chester Vase in his final Derby tune-up. Sire Australia won the 2014 Epsom Derby, among Aidan O’Brien’s record 10 wins in this race. O’Brien seeks a third straight Derby win, matching his streak from 2012-’14.

#6-LAZY GRIFF: German-bred colt closed his juvenile campaign with a Group 3 win in France at Chantilly and returned in May to finish second in the Group 3 Chester Vase in the UK to Derby return rival Lambourn. Charlie Johnston conditions the 2-for-6 colt by Protectionist.

#7-MIDAK: French-based supplement to the race runs in the colors of the late Aga Khan, a 10-time Derby winner who passed away earlier this year. Francis Graffard trains the stamina-laden colt who has won all 3 starts this year in his native country, including a Group 3 last out.

#8-NEW GROUND: French-based Juddmonte Farms’ colt has won half of his 4 outings with a pair of third-placings. Henri-Francois Devin trains the colt whose victories both came at age 2. Third in April’s Group 3 Prix la Force at Longchamp and a disappointing third in listed company May 2 at Chantilly. Juddmonte has owned a trio of Derby winners, most recently Workforce in 2010.

#9-NIGHTIME DANCER: Lingfield Derby Trial third-place finisher has won 1 of 3 career starts, a maiden in April over the Derby distance of 12 furlongs at Southwell. Richard Hannon trainee has raced on synthetic surfaces in his last 2, debuting third on grass at Newmarket in November. From the first crop of sire Ghaiyyath, who also has Derby entrant Shanhope Gardens.

#10-NIGHTWALKER: Frankel colt has won 1 of 5 but owns 3 additional placings, including a Group 3 last year. Fifth last out at York in the Group 2 Dante behind Derby returnees Pride of Arras and Damysus. John & Thady Gosden The elder Gosden reached Derby glory in 1997 with Benny the Dip and again in 2015 with Golden Horn.

#11-PRIDE OF ARRAS: Winner of the key Derby prep, the Group 2 Dante at York on May 15, for trainer Ralph Beckett – who also has Stanhope Gardens in the gate. The son of New Bay is 2-for-2 having a debut score under his belt in August at Sandown. Light on experience off that 18-1 upset, as is his upstart rider Rossa Ryan getting his second Derby mount. Beckett has won the Oaks twice and seeks his first Derby. Third choice among the British bookmakers around odds of 9-2 to 5-1.

#12-ROGUE IMPACT: James Owen trainee was last of 6 to Puppet Master et al in the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 10. He’s won 1 of 3, a Lingfield maiden score on the synthetic April 23 topping the chart at the 12-furlong Derby distance. Well back in a maiden debut last August at Newmarket in only grass try.

#13-RULING COURT: Kentucky-bred by 2018 US Triple Crown winner Justify sold for $2.4 million at the 2-year-old in-training sales. Paid immediate dividends for Godolphin with a July debut win at Sandown before finishing third in the Group 3 Acomb at York at summer’s end. Won Meydan’s 2000 Guineas in Dubai in his sophomore return before taking the Group 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3. He’s yet to extend beyond a mile, but sire Justify already repped by 2024 Derby winner City of Troy. Charlie Appleby has 2 Derby wins on his ledger, Masar in 2018 and Adayar in 2021. Second choice among the British bookmakers at 7-2 odds.

#14-SEA SCOUT: Son of 2009 Derby winner Sea the Stars has won 2 of 4 starts for Simon & Ed Crisford. Tallied the listed Blue Riband Trial over this course at 10 furlongs in April, but disappointed stepping up in class when eighth in the Group 2 Dante at York vs. Pride of Arras et al. Split 2 decisions on the Polytrack as a juvenile.

#15-STANHOPE GARDENS: Trainer Ralph Beckett gave this Group 3-placed juvenile a light rehearsal in his only start this year, winning a 3-runner conditions race at Salisbury over a mile. He’s 2: 1-1 but has yet to extend beyond 8 furlongs. From the first crop of sire Ghaiyyath, who also has Derby entrant Nightime Dancer.

#16-TENNESSEE STUD: Group 3-placed May 11 at Leopardstown vs. barnmate and Derby rival Delacroix in his lone start this season. Highly credential juvenile by Wootton Bassett won France’s Group 1 Criterium at Saint Cloud and was runner-up in the Group 2 Beresford at home in Ireland. Trainer Joseph O’Brien rode Derby winners Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014) for his father, Aidan, during his career as a jockey.

#17-THE LION IN WINTER: Odds-on favorite failed in the Group 2 Dante when fading to sixth last out at York. It was his first start since 2 flashy wins as a juvenile, topped by the Group 3 Acomb at York in August. Aidan O’Brien’s 10 Derby wins are most of any trainer in history. Sire Sea the Stars won the 2009 Epsom Derby. Will break from post 19 of 19. Fourth choice among British bookmakers at 5 or 6-1 odds.

#18-TORNADO ALERT: Godolphin colorbearer races for Saeed bin Suroor, who trained 1995 Derby winner Lammtarra. Lightly raced colt by Too Darn Hot has tallied 1 of 3 starts, an October maiden race on the synthetic surface at Newcastle. Pace-setting fourth in the Group 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in his only start this season, part of a 1-3-4 dominance in that race by Godolphin. This will be his first start beyond a mile.

#19-TUSCAN HILLS: French-based colt for Raphael Freire won both starts during his freshman season on lesser circuits and was thrown in the deep end for the May 15 Group 2 Dante at York when seventh of 11. Spent much of the Dante making up for dwelt start before losing punch late.