Epsom Derby Favourites, Start Time, Odds & Preview

In this post you can find the Epsom Derby favourites and odds as one of the biggest races of the flat season is fast approaching.

Epsom Derby Favourites

Auguste Rodin 9/4

Owner: Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Auguste Rodin has a record of three victories and one second from five starts. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has always fancied this horse since its victory in the Futurity, a key two-year-old trial, at Doncaster last October. However, despite going off as a 13/8 favourite for the Guineas he finished a disappointing 12/14 coming 22 lengths back from the winner.

Following the race there were reports that the horse burst a blood vessel which proved to be untrue. Jockey Ryan Moore confirmed after the race that the horse never travelled well after being bumped early on but otherwise seemed fine.

Aidan O’Brien once said “If we have a horse capable of doing the Triple Crown, Auguste Rodin is the one. But can this horse return to form on Saturday?

Military Order 4/1

Owner: Godolphin

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

One of the leading fancies for this race, Military Order has a record of three wins from four races and is likely to be in contention again on Saturday.

History could occur on Saturday, with Military Order A full brother to 2021 winner Adayar with 13 pairs of siblings having won the event already. If Military Order wins the Derby on Saturday, it will be the first time full siblings have landed the Epsom Classic since 1896 and 1900.

Passenger 5/1

Owner: Flaxman Stables

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute

The least experienced runner with just two starts under his belt has one victory and one third-place finish. At the York Dante the horse could have been considered unlucky with the jockey saying the colt was persistently denied a run during the race.

Nevertheless, another day dawns and the horse bred to stay is a little of an unknown quantity but could still be a major player.

Arrest 6/1

Owner: Juddmonte

Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori

There is plenty to the “Arrest” story which would make it a fitting winner, being ridden out by Frankie Dettori up on his 28th and last Derby ride. His sire is the famous Frankel which is certainly not a bad thing.

The horse is likely to be suited to the trip also having won the Chester Vase and has had a spin around Tattenham Corner in a dry run recently, probably prefers softer ground but a watered track could be enough for the horse to add to its record of three wins, one-second place and one third from five starts.

Sprewell 11/1

Owner: Mr Mohamed Khalid Mohamed Abdulrahim

Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington

Two victories and one second-place finish from four starts is the horse’s current record, the son of Churchill first broke his duck when winning a heavy ground four-runner event at Naas in March.

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington has said “I’d say the further he goes the better he’s going to get. He’s a really exciting horse and personally, I think he’s only 80 per cent there and there is a good bit more improvement.” One to watch.

What Is The Epsom Derby?

The Epsom Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race held at Epsom Downs Racecourse which is open to three-year-old colts and fillies. The race takes place on the first Saturday of June each year over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards. It was first run in 1780.

It is Britain’s richest horse race with Prize Money: of £1.5m Guaranteed With the 2023 Winner To Get £892k. The race is the middle leg of the Triple Crown of British horse racing, preceded by the 2000 Guineas and followed by the St Leger.

The name “Derby” (deriving from the sponsorship of the Earl of Derby) has been borrowed many times, notably by the Kentucky Derby in the United States. The name “Epsom Derby” is often used in the United States, to differentiate between the races.

Epsom Derby Start Time

Start Time: 1.30pm, Saturday, 3rd of June

For details on all the big flat races coming up this season check out our 2023 Horse Racing Calendar post.

Epsom Derby Odds

Click Below To Bet On Epsom Derby Favourites & All Our Epsom Odds

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