Christmas came early for Irish training maestro Aidan O’Brien when he celebrated winning his 50th British Classic with 7/1 shot Christmas Day in the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse on Saturday (6 June).

Ridden by Ronan Whelan, the son of Camelot cruised to a commanding two-and-three-quarter-length victory over the William Haggas-trained Maltese Cross (Tom Marquand) to land the 247th running of the Epsom contest, worth £1m to the winner.

This historic Derby success came the day after Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien saddled filly Thundering On to win the Betfred Oaks.

A 12th Epsom Derby success

“Christmas Day has done nothing but improve,” said Aidan O’Brien of his 12th Epsom Derby victor. “He’s so genuine, he stays and he handles the soft ground. Ronan gave him a beautiful ride. He’s a tough, hardy horse. This is unbelievable. But this is not just me – I’m just a small part of a very big team.”

Winning jockey Ronan Whelan, 33, in only his second season riding for the mighty Ballydoyle operation, described his first Derby success as “just so easy!”

“Aidan told me to keep it simple and the horse has done it easily – he loves the ground and it just felt effortless,” said Whelan, carrying the silks of Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg and Brant. “Running down the hill, Christmas Day had loads left – I wish I was as cool a customer as the horse because he took it all in his stride. He’s a credit to everyone who has had anything to do with him.”

Derby favourite declared a non-runner: “He was standing on three legs”

But this year’s Betfred Derby was action-packed from the start. Race favourite Benvenuto Cellini appeared to stumble out of the starting stalls, going on to complete the course but trailing home in ninth. It was then revealed that the Aidan O’Brien chestnut colt had ended up with a hind leg resting on the running board when the gates opened and a stewards’ enquiry involving Benvenuto Cellini’s jockey Ryan Moore was called. It was deemed that Benvenuto Cellini’s race had “been negatively affected” and on that basis he was declared a non-runner.

“Soon after the horse left the starting gate, we were notified that the favourite had his left hind leg on the running board just before the start, which resulted in him not being able to jump out on terms with the rest of the field,” said Shaun Parker, head of stewarding at the BHA.

“He was standing on three legs when the stalls opened.”

Further success for the O’Briens in Betfred Oaks

Aidan O’Brien’s son Joseph saddled the third horse home in the Derby, James J Braddock, just 24 hours after watching Frankel daughter Thundering On (Dylan Browne McMonagle) come home in front in the fillies’ Classic, the Betfred Oaks.

“Winning a big race like this is a dream and it’s special to share it with everyone,” said the winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, who also rode Derby winner Christmas Day’s sire Camelot to win the Epsom Classic for his father in 2012.

“Thundering On was a very impressive winner. To come to any Classic with a horse that has a legitimate chance is incredible.”

You can read the full report with exclusive insight from the Betfred Festival at Epsom in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine, in the shops Thursday 11 June.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Baby joy for Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore and Brian Hayes

Our pick of dresses for Royal Ascot that meet the dress code and ooze style – all still in stock

Kindness, education and positive role models key to thoroughbreds’ life-long wellbeing

Top horse withdrawn from Royal Ascot after freak stingray attack

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The Epsom Classic, the Betfred Derby, is one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar. If you’re thinking of having a bet on one of the 14 runners lining up for the one-mile four-furlong contest, we’ve sought out some Epsom Derby tips from the racing experts.

Irish training maestro Aidan O’Brien has saddled a record 11 Derby winners and he sends four runners for this year’s £2,000,000 race, including ante-post favourite Benvenuto Cellini, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt Item, who will be ridden by Colin Keane, is the shortest priced English runner and one of five sons of the legendary Frankel running in the world famous Epsom horse race.

To help you decide which of the 14 horses and jockeys might come home first in this year’s Betfred Derby at Epsom, which takes place on Saturday 6 June at 4pm, here are some Epsom Derby tips picked out by the racing experts.

Good luck!

Epsom Derby tips

James J Braddock

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien | Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle

My pick as H&H racing editor is relative underdog James J Braddock. It’s hard to look past the Aidan O’Brien runners in the Derby, but I’ve gone instead for a colt trained by his son Joseph O’Brien, who has twice ridden but not yet trained a Derby winner. James J Braddock is co-owned by ITV Racing pundit Kevin Blake and named after the American heavyweight boxing champion. This son of Zarak won a competitive Derby trial at Leopardstown – beating fancied Ballydoyle runner Pierre Bonnard in the process. He also won on heavy ground as a two-year-old, so won’t be inconvenienced by the projected softer ground at Epsom on Saturday. Could James J Braddock deliver a knockout blow and win the iconic race? He could well punch his way into the placings at least.

Ancient Egypt

Trainer: Charlie Johnston | Jockey: David Egan

ITV Racing commentator Richard Hoiles will be calling home the Betfred Derby winner during its coverage starting at 1pm on Saturday, but he’ll be keeping his eye on one runner in particular.

“Ancient Egypt may well be able to outrun his odds,” says Richard. “Connections took this big imposing horse to Epsom on the gallops morning to get him accustomed to the track and despite his size he looks a well balanced horse as he showed when galloping on strongly at Newmarket last time. A son of the great Frankel, he cost over £1m as a yearling but it still could be money well spent.”

Benvenuto Cellini

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien | Jockey: Ryan Moore

Racing journalist Frank Keogh says: “I think we saw something special when Benvenuto Cellini powered to victory in the Chester Vase. Even the taciturn jockey Ryan Moore was laughing afterwards. I expect big “Ben” to give Aidan O’Brien a 12th Derby win. James J Braddock can go well for Aidan’s astute son Joseph and take an each-way chance (particularly if you find a bookmaker offering four places) on 150/1 shot Balzac. He was placed in two Derby trials.”

ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin agrees: “Basically, I think Aidan O’Brien will win the Derby with his best three-year-old and you can gauge which one they think is the best as to the one Ryan Moore picks – Benvenuto Cellini – so let that be your guide. As an outsider, I like Ancient Egypt!”

Maltese Cross

Trainer: William Haggas | Jockey: Tom Marquand

H&H racing reporter Lucy Elder says: “The Coolmore behemoth is rightly dazzling, but blink through the glare and other sparks emerge among this year’s field. Maltese Cross, owned by film producer George Waud (of Snakes On A Plane fame), sailed through Lingfield’s Derby trial last month (9 May) and showed real guts in that close-fought finish with Bay Of Brilliance. The Sea Of Stars son is a beautiful mover and I love the way he’s been so game in the closing stages of his races. Being drawn in stall one isn’t ideal, but proved no obstacle to Adayar (2021) nor City Of Troy (2024) – the most recent of the four horses to win from that draw since stalls were introduced in 1967. Jockey Tom Marquand has been on board for his last three stars, all victorious. This year marks the 30th anniversary of trainer William Haggas’s sole Derby winner, Shaamit (1996) and Maltese Cross could well be the horse to flip the script on the Coolmore narrative that has dominated the Derby in recent years.”

Epsom Derby coverage

So there are your Epsom Derby tips all wrapped up! The Betfred Derby Festival takes place at Epsom Downs from 5-6 June and you can watch it live on ITV Racing. Horse & Hound will be bringing you all the latest news during the two-day meeting, as well as online coverage with a special report featuring in the magazine dated 11 June. Enjoy!

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

Final runners for The Derby confirmed ahead of the 2026 Classic

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

Free tickets for kids, free parking and £2m prize money to attract fans back to the Derby

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Watch the Epsom Derby live this weekend and enjoy the action from what’s known as “the greatest flat race in the world”.

Horses only have one chance to shine in the Epsom Derby as it’s only open to three year olds, so the stakes are higher than ever.

At a glance

• Epsom Derby date: 6 June 2026
• Watch Epsom Derby on TV: ITV (FREE), Racing TV
• Watch Epsom Derby from anywhere: Use this NordVPN deal – 75% Off

How to watch the Epsom Derby on TV

ITV will screen much of the action from the Epsom Derby Festival live and for free on ITV1 and ITVX from 1pm to 5pm on Friday and Saturday, while Racing TV (Sky channel 424/Virgin Media 536) will broadcast via its subscription-based service.

ITV Racing will broadcast six races on each day of the festival, including The Derby and The Oaks, while Racing TV will cover every race.

You don’t need an ITVX subscription to watch live racing – just an email address and a valid TV license. You can register for a free account or download the app to your mobile device.

If you’re away from home, you can use NordVPN to secure your stream of the action from anywhere in the world.

What time is the Epsom Derby?

The Derby will run at 4pm and will be the fifth of eight races at Epsom Downs on Saturday 6 June.

What time is the Epsom Oaks?

The Oaks starts at 4pm and will be the fifth of eight races at Epsom Downs on Friday 5 June.

How to watch the Epsom Derby from anywhere

If you’re away from home and your normal coverage is geo-blocked, a VPN will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get an exclusive 75% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.

Epsom Derby Day race times

How long is the Epsom Derby?

The Derby is 1m4f, which is approximately 1.5 miles or 2.414km.

What is the Epsom Derby?

The Epsom Derby is one of Britain’s richest and most prestigious Classic Flat races. It is open exclusively to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies, and is the second leg of the triple crown – preceded by the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and followed by the St Leger at Doncaster.

The course at Epsom Downs is known for its extreme undulations and camber. Horses face a tough, steep climb in the first half-mile before navigating a sweeping descent and a long straight to finish. The Derby serves as the ultimate test of a racehorse’s speed, stamina and balance.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news at major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Final runners for The Derby confirmed ahead of the 2026 Classic

Free tickets for kids, free parking and £2m prize money to attract fans back to the Derby

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

• Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
• Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing. 

The final field of Derby entries has been decided after the last deadline for declarations passed on the morning of Wednesday 3 June. The finishing touches are now being made for 14 runners and riders announced for the 2026 Epsom Classic. The Betfred Derby takes place at 4pm on Saturday 6 June on Epsom Downs racecourse and an A-list crop of three-year-old colts are set to line up for this year’s race.

So who will be bidding for glory and a slice of history in the £2,000,000 contest?

Here is your full run down of this year’s Epsom Derby entries.

Derby entries: who is trying to win the £1m first prize?

After the final scratching deadline of 3 June, a total of 14 Derby horses remain for the 247th running of the world-famous 1m 4f race. Irish training maestro Aidan O’Brien saddles four of the contenders, including the race favourite Benvenuto Cellini, and a further runner is trained by his son Joseph O’Brien.

But there’s also an intriguing English contingent lining up to contest this country’s richest and most prestigious horse race.

So who will follow in the hallowed footsteps of the likes of City Of Troy, Sea The Stars, Galileo and Mill Reef to take the Epsom crown? Which jockeys are riding which horses in this year’s race?

Here is the complete list of 2026 Epsom Derby runners and riders.

Epsom Derby runners

• Action (Trainer: Aidan O’Brien)
• Alderman (Richard Hannon / jockey: Pat Dobbs)
• Ancient Egypt (Charlie Johnston / David Egan)
• A Taste Of Glory (Andrew Balding / Jamie Spencer)
• Balzac (Jane Chapple-Hyam / Silvestre de Sousa)
• Bay Of Brilliance (Ralph Beckett / Hector Couch)
• Benvenuto Cellini (Aidan O’Brien)
• Christmas Day (Aidan O’Brien)
• Item (Aidan O’Brien / Colin Keane)
• James J Braddock (Joseph O’Brien / Dylan Browne McMonagle)
• Maltese Cross (William Haggas / Tom Marquand)
• Pierre Bonnard (Aidan O’Brien)
• Poker (Kieran Burke / Rowan Scott)
• Rebel Rocker (Faye Bramley / Rob Hornby)

The following horses were scratched from the race on Wednesday 3 June and will not take part: Amadeus Mozart (Aidan O’Brien), Causeway (Aidan O’Brien), Endorsement (Aidan O’Brien), Hawk Mountain (Aidan O’Brien), Constitution River (Aidan O’Brien), Proposition (Aidan O’Brien), Saxon Street (John and Thady Gosden), Shosholoza (Joseph O’Brien).

The Betfred Derby Festival takes place at Epsom Downs from 5-6 June. Horse & Hound will be bringing you all the latest news and tips in the run-up to the meeting, as well as online coverage with a special report featuring in the magazine on sale 11 June.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

Hotels and holiday lets near Epsom Downs Racecourse

Free tickets for kids, free parking and £2m prize money to attract fans back to the Derby

Heading to the races? Here are 7 of the best binoculars to keep you abreast of the action

Epsom memories: A nostalgic look back at 7 horses who dominated this hallowed turf

With the Investec Derby and Investec Oaks taking place tomorrow (4 July), we take a trip down memory lane

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The King and Queen will attend the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs next weekend (6 June) to watch the 247th running of the British Classic.

Epsom’s general manager Jim Allen said the racecourse is “honoured and thrilled” that the King and Queen will be there on Derby day.

“Their Majesties show great enthusiasm, interest and support for horseracing in the UK and their attendance next week will be a proud moment for all of the team here and everyone connected with the racecourse,” he said.

“Derby day provides joy and entertainment to millions of people around the world as one of Britain’s most famous and iconic events, and royal attendance has been synonymous with the meeting for generations. We are delighted that Their Majesties will be continuing this tradition next week.”

The King and Queen are both honorary members of The Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs racecourse, and became the organisation’s joint patrons in May 2024.

Their visit continues a tradition of royal attendance. The late Queen only missed two editions of the famous race from the start of her reign until the Covid pandemic, in 1956 when on a state visit to Sweden, and in 1984 when attending the 40th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Her late Majesty was also patron of The Jockey Club for 68 years, from 1954 until her death in September 2022.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

Final runners for The Derby confirmed ahead of the 2026 Classic

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

If you’re planning a day at the races, finding a hotel near Epsom Racecourse will help you make the most of your visit to the Surrey venue. Epsom Downs Racecourse is home to a number of big race meetings throughout the year, most notably The Epsom Derby.

Due to the popularity of the bigger race meetings, accommodation is often booked well in advance, so if you find something suitable available, we suggest you don’t hang around.

We’ve included a great selection of accommodation by type – not just hotels near Epsom Racecourse, but guest houses, B&Bs and holiday lets, too, so you can easily find what you’re looking for. And we’ve got something for all group sizes, from couples to large groups looking to stay together. Distances are calculated from the racecourse (KT18 5LQ).

Jump to:

• Hotels near Epsom Racecourse
• Holiday lets and apartments near Epsom Racecourse

Hotels near Epsom Racecourse

Holiday lets and apartments near Epsom Racecourse

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also like:

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

Free tickets for kids, free parking and £2m prize money to attract fans back to the Derby

What to wear to the races – all occasions covered

Heading to Royal Ascot and in need of a hat? These options are all still in stock

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Tickets for the Epsom Derby Festival are now on sale – and this year there are some exciting changes in place for 2026. The Betfred Derby Festival will take place on 5–6 June if watching the Epsom Derby on TV is not enough for you, then here’s everything you need to know about getting tickets to watch the action on the UK’s second most-valuable race day (to the Qipco British Champions Day) in person.

As the festival is a little while away, the tickets on sale now have an early-bird discount, so you can make savings compared to on-the-gate prices. There are also group discounts to make the most of if purchasing six tickets or more available in selected enclosures. All parking is free this year, but it’s recommended that you reserve a pass in advance.

Epsom Derby tickets: general admission

Children (under 18) will get free entry on both days in general admission enclosures. These tickets all include access to the DJ after party and parade ring viewing.

Ladies Day (Friday 5 June) tickets are slightly cheaper than Derby Day (Saturday 6 June).

Upper Tattenham

These tickets are ideal for families seeking a relaxed day at the races. You get trackside viewing as the horses head into the home straight, plus you can bring a picnic and there is all-day entertainment on offer. There is also a wet weather cover. These tickets do not include access to the parade ring, winner’s enclosure or DJ after party. Gate prices start at £35.

Adult early bird: From £32

Grandstand enclosure

This enclosure is for those seeking thrills from start to finish – it’s located along the home straight, so not only will you see the horses thunder toward the finish post, but there’ll be an electric atmosphere. Gate prices start at £75.

Adult early bird: From £55.25

Duchess stand reserved seating

This ticket gives you a guaranteed seat for the whole day and access to live entertainment. These seats are limited so although gate prices are listed as starting at £115, we recommend you book in advance.

Adult super early bird: From £115

Queen Elizabeth II stand

This enclosure offers a more prestigious experience – you get the best views of the course, the winning post and parade ring. You can also view the winner’s circle and enjoy the stand’s lawn. There is a dress code for this stand on Derby Day. Gate prices start at £145.

Adult super early bird: From £135

Premium area tickets

Cedric’s

Close to the action with seating options and wet weather/shade cover, this ticket offers a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival and bar snacks throughout the day. You get the best views of the finish line with access to seating along the final furlong, as well as all-day entertainment and access to an exclusive after party. These tickets include parking, a complimentary racecard and admission to the Grandstand Enclosure.

Adult: From £245

Epsom Derby hospitality packages

There are a number of hospitality tickets available starting at £525 per person for the new 1780 package up to £900 per person for tickets into the Derby Suite, which is the most exclusive and intimate dining experience at Epsom Downs Racecourse.

For more information visit thejockeyclub.co.uk

Watch the Epsom Derby for free

The Derby Festival is one of the world’s only sporting events where you can watch the live action for free, thanks to The Hill. Here, everyone can join in and experience a carnival atmosphere with food and drink, big screens, a market and a funfair. Track-side viewing, the Tote, bookmakers and racecards are all easily accessible too.

Thanks to significant investment in Epsom Downs Racecourse and The Derby Festival, this year there will be new banks of “bleacher”-style covered seating on the final furlong to give racegoers a bird’s eye view, plus a new DerbyFest area.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major events throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Hotels and holiday lets near Epsom Downs Racecourse

Free tickets for kids, free parking and £2m prize money to attract fans back to the Derby

Who will be this year’s victor? Take a look back at Epsom Derby winners from 1780 to the present day

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, the prominent racehorse owner and breeder died on 29 December.

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s recognisable yellow silks with black spots had been carried to hundreds of victories in Britain since the early 1990s.

He was the cousin of Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The family’s Darley operation bred the great Dubawi, out of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s Italian Oaks winner Zomaradah, whom he also bred.

As an owner, one of his greatest successes was the 1998 Derby at Epsom, won by High-Rise, trained by Luca Cumani and ridden by Olivier Peslier. Another notable horse was the Roger Varian-trained Postponed, son of Dubawi and winner of the 2015 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the 2016 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup.

Postponed was ridden to eight of his nine of his victories by Andrea Atzeni, who rode 193 British winners for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. Andrea said: “Not only was he my boss, but also a great friend and family man.”

“He leaves behind a great legacy and the love he had for his horses and the sport. My sincere condolences go out to his family,” he said.

More recently, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid enjoyed success as the owner-breeder of the 2024 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Rosallion and Group One Coronation Cup winner Inisherin. On 14 November 2025, his home-bred Royal Champion won the Bahrain International Trophy.

Godolphin’s director of studs, stallions and breeding Liam O’Rourke said the death of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid is a “tremendous loss to racing and breeding”.

“He has been an outstanding owner and breeder for over three decades and his contribution to the sport has been enormous,” he said.

“We send our condolences to his family, and he will be greatly missed by everyone at Godolphin.”

A British Horseracing Authority spokesperson said that during Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s decades as an owner and breeder, “he made a significant contribution to the sport, for which all who enjoyed watching his many excellent horses are grateful”.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Huge crowds at race meetings over the Christmas period is great news for the sport, says Davy Russell

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Free tickets for kids and a huge increase in prize money are on the cards for the 2026 Betfred Derby Festival (5 to 6 June) as the Jockey Club seeks to draw fans back to the world-famous race at Epsom.

Spectator numbers have dwindled notably in recent years. The Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs racecourse, has revealed wide-ranging changes to both the race programme and what it offers fans to try to “reinvigorate” the meeting.

These include free entry to under-18s, free parking across the site, new seating and live entertainment areas and an increase of £500,000 to the Derby’s prize pot – taking its total to £2m and making it the joint-richest race in the UK.

“Epsom Downs racecourse is the home of the ‘Original Derby’, a race which is widely regarded as the most important two and a half minutes in the racing and breeding industry, shaping pedigrees, stallion careers and bloodstock markets for generations,” said Epsom Downs general manager Jim Allen.

He added that although he was “extraordinarily proud” to have overseen his first Derby as general manager earlier this year, he “couldn’t wait to address some of the things that the team and I knew could be improved”.

The changes, both on and off the track, have been driven by input from racegoers, annual members, the community, sponsors Betfred and other stakeholders.

“It is so important for us to be continually evolving and improving to give everyone the best possible experience across the two days,” said Mr Allen.

“Ultimately, we want to deliver something that Epsom and the surrounding area, along with everyone connected with British racing, can feel truly proud of and one which is befitting of The Betfred Derby Festival’s status as a world class and prestigious event.”

He added: “From a customer experience perspective, we want to make The Betfred Derby Festival accessible to everyone. From the top hats in the Queen Elizabeth II Stand to free entry for all on the hill, we want every racegoer and spectator to feel they have a place at Epsom Downs on the first weekend in June.”

Prize money for the overall festival is increasing by £1.375m. This includes the hike in the prize pot for the Derby itself and a major boost to the Coolmore Coronation Cup, which will move from the Friday to the Saturday and more than double its purse from £450,000 to £1m. This change to race scheduling will mean the Coronation Cup, Betfred Dash and the Derby are staged back to back on the Saturday.

Under-18s will be given free entry on both days in general admission enclosures. In hospitality and dining areas, it will be free for under-12s and discounts will apply for 12- to 17-year-olds.

Banks of “bleacher”-style covered seating on the final furlong on the hill will give racegoers a “bird’s eye” view. A new covered area in the grandstand enclosure with live entertainment and an after party is also planned, as is improved track-side hospitality near the winning post, and a “DerbyFest” area on the hill.

The hill will remain free to enter on both days of the festival.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has saddled a record 11 winners of the Derby, added: “From the time that matings are planned at Coolmore, right the way through to the training process here at Ballydoyle, there is always huge emphasis placed on the Derby. If we had to pick one race in the calendar to win, the Derby would invariably be it.

“We are very grateful to The Jockey Club for their increased investment for next year’s Derby Festival and welcome all the new initiatives, particularly those aimed at encouraging more young people to come racing, as they are the future of the sport.”

• H&H has rounded up everything you need to know about tickets to the Derby meeting at Epsom. To buy tickets and for more information, visit thejockeyclub.co.uk

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

‘This is unbelievable’: extraordinary horse proves uncatchable to fulfil the Derby dream

Remaining Cheltenham Festival 2026 ticket options now that Gold Cup Day has sold out

Bargain £100 horse wins over the Grand National fences: ‘He’s an absolute hero’

‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien completed a triumphant Oaks-Derby double at Epsom on Saturday (7 June) when winning colt Lambourn produced an extraordinary front-running performance.

Jockey Wayne Lordan was praised for the “perfect” ride he gave the three-year-old son of Australia, leading from start to finish to land the 246th running of the Betfred Derby in the colours of Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

“This is a very special race to win,” said Lordan, winning his first Derby at his ninth attempt. “I knew we’d gone a good gallop, but Lambourn’s ears were pricked so I knew he had plenty left.

“This is one of the greatest races, I’m in a lucky position to get to ride a horse like this.”

Aidan O’Brien, who saddled Minnie Hauk to win the Betfred Oaks at Epsom yesterday and completed a hat-trick of Group One successes during the two-day Betfred Derby Festival when Jan Brueghel landed the Betfred Coronation Cup, was posting a record-extending 11th success in the Betfred Derby. Lambourn, a son of Australia and a grandson of Galileo, both of whom O’Brien also trained to win the Epsom Classic, was O’Brien’s third successive victory since 2023.

“Wayne gave him an incredible ride. He’s very straightforward, Wayne knew he was going to stay,” said the Ballydoyle handler. “I couldn’t be happier.

“It’s incredible for everybody. Wayne got the fractions 100% perfect. It’s been an incredible weekend. For us, it’s such a privilege but the lads put in all the hard work. This is unbelievable.”

Betfred Derby at Epsom: results

Lambourn and Wayne Lordan came home three and three-quarter lengths clear of their nearest challenger after a relentless gallop that left their rivals toiling in their wake in the one and a half mile race. The runner-up was the Charlie Johnston-trained 50/1 shot Lazy Griff (Christophe Soumillon) with Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien training the third-placed Tennessee Stud, a 28/1 chance for jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Another big outsider, fourth-placed New Ground at 50/1 beat Stanhope Gardens (Hector Crouch) with the Godolphin runner Tornado Alert in sixth.

Epsom Derby favourite Delacroix – the apparent Ballydoyle top string and the choice of jockey Ryan Moore for the Epsom Classic – never got into contention, finishing ninth of the 18 runners.

You can read the full report from the Betfred Derby Festival in this week’s Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday 12 June.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘Incredible for everyone’: mega filly powers to Oaks victory

Meet Derby favourite City Of Troy: ‘I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse with as much ability to Epsom for this race’

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

On Saturday 7 June, some of the greatest three-year-old Flat racehorses will do battle in the Betfred Derby at Epsom when the race gets underway at 3.30pm.

Here’s the full list of Epsom Derby runners and riders who will be lining up. Who is your pick to win? 

Epsom Derby runners

Horse: Delacroix | Jockey: Ryan Moore

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Form: Run seven times. Won four times, including the Group Three Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in March and most recently the Group Three Derby Trial Stakes, also at Leopardstown. Prize money won to-date: £201,146.

Ruling Court | Jockey: William Buick

Charlie Appleby

Form: Run four times, winning three of those starts. Most recently won the Group One 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Prize money won to-date: £425,229.

Pride Of Arras | Jockey: Rossa Ryan 

Ralph Beckett

Form: Run twice, winning both of those starts, most recently winning the Group Two Dante Stakes at York. Prize money won to-date: £114,397.

The Lion In Winter | Jockey: Colin Keane 

Aidan O’Brien

Form: Run three times. Won twice. Finished sixth in the Group Two Dante Stakes last time out, but won the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York on his start previous to that in August 2024. Prize money won to-date: £106,427.

Damysus | Jockey: James Doyle 

John & Thady Gosden

Form: Run three times. Won once and most recently finished second in the Dantes Stakes at York. Prize money won to-date: £53,871.

Lambourn| Jockey: Wayne Lordan 

Aidan O’Brien

Form: Run five times. Won three times, including the Group Three Chester Vase Stakes last time out. Prize money won to-date: £129,815.

Stanhope Gardens | Jockey: Hector Crouch 

Ralph Beckett

Form: Run four times and has won twice. His last victory came in a Class Four (low grade) at Salisbury last month, but he finished a close second to Delacroix in a Group Three race last autumn. Prize money won to-date: £24,814.

Midak | Jockey: Mickael Barzalona 

F-H Graffard

Form: Unbeaten in three three-year-old runs, most recently winning a Group Three in his native France and has subsequently been supplemented. Prize money won to-date: £53,306.

Nightwalker | Jockey: Tom Marquand 

John & Thady Gosden

Form: Run five times. Won once and most recently finished fifth in the Group Three Dante Stakes at York. Prize money won to-date: £30,023.

Tornado Alert | Jockey: Oisin Murphy 

Saeed bin Suroor

Form: Run three times. Won once and most recently ran well for a long way in the 2000 Guineas where he finished fourth. Prize money won to-date: £32,341.

New Ground | Jockey: Alexis Pouchin 

H-F Devin

Form: Run four times. Won twice, finishing third on his two most recent starts in his native France. Has been supplemented for this race. Prize money won to-date: £44,562.

Tennessee Stud | Jockey: Dylan Browne-McMonagle 

Joseph O’Brien

Form: Run five times. Won twice. French Group One winner over 1m2f as a two-year-old and was third last time out in a Group Three contest at Leopardstown. Prize money won to-date: £162,164.

Tuscan Hills | Jockey: David Egan 

Raphael E Freire

Form: Run three times. Won twice, including a Listed race as a two-year-old. Most recently finished seventh in the Group Two Dante Stakes. His granddam won the Oaks. Prize money won to-date: £27,004.

Sea Scout | Jockey: Harry Davies 

Simon & Ed Crisford

Form: Run four times, winning on two occasions, including a Listed race at Epsom in April. Most recently finished eighth of 11 in the Dante. Prize money won to-date: £33,566.

Al Wasl Storm | Jockey: David Probert 

Owen Burrows

Form: Run three times, recording one win. Last seen when winning a Class Two maiden at Chester in May. Prize money won to-date: £22,441.

Lazy Griff | Jockey: Christophe Soumillon 

Charlie Johnston

Form: Run six times, winning twice. Won a Group Three n France as a two-year-old and most recently finished second to Lambourn in a Group Three at Chester last month. Prize money won to-date: £87,613.

Nightime Dancer | Jockey: Jamie Spencer 

Richard Hannon

Form: Run three times, winning on one occasion. Most recently finished third in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Prize money won to-date: £29,084.

Green Storm | Jockey: Billy Loughnane 

Charlie Johnston

Form: Run seven times, recording one win. Last seen when finishing fourth of eight in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket in April. Prize money won to-date: £75,603.

Rogue Impact | Jockey: Luke Morris 

James Owen

Form: Run three times, winning once. Most recently finished last of six in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Prize money won to-date: £4,698.

How to bet on your Epsom Derby pick

It is important that you gamble responsibly and you can read more advice on how to bet here. Enjoy!

How can I watch the Epsom Derby?

ITV is the place for UK audiences to watch the Epsom Derby, with most of the races from the meeting being streamed for free on ITVX. There is also an ITVX app that works on almost all smart devices. Just search for the app on any device, phone or console you have. You will also be able to watch on both the ITV and ITV4 channels on TV.

Read our full guide on how to watch the Epsom Derby.

What is the prize money for winning?

The winner of the 2025 Epsom Derby will take home £909,628.

Recent Derby winners

The complete list of Derby winners dates all the way back to 1780, but here are the three-year-old colts who were first past the post during the past eight years.

2024: City Of Troy, ridden by Ryan Moore, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

2023: Auguste Rodin, ridden by Ryan Moore, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs J Magnier and Westerberg

2022: Desert Crown, ridden by Richard Kingscote, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Saeed Suhail

2021: Adayar, ridden by Adam Kirby, trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin

2020: Serpentine, ridden by Emmet McNamara, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

2019: Anthony Van Dyck, ridden by Seamie Heffernan, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

2018: Masar, ridden by William Buick, trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin

2017: Wings Of Eagles, ridden by Padraig Beggy trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

2016: Harzanad, ridden by Pat Smullen, trained by Dermot Weld and owned by Aga Kahn IV

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

• Horse & Hound is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Learn more

Flat racing fans who want to watch the live action from the Betfred Epsom Derby in 2025 (6 – 7 June) will need to tune into ITV or a free livestream. With over seven hours’ live footage on the main ITV channel, ITV Racing will be covering five races on each day of the two-day meeting, plus there are plenty of livestream options to choose from too. Here’s our full guide on how to watch the Epsom Derby on TV so you don’t miss a moment of the action…

ITV and the ITVX streaming service will be showing most Epsom Derby Festival races for free in the UK. If you’re abroad, and trying to watch ITVX like you normally would back in the UK, then you can use a VPN. Check out NordVPN, where you can get 70% off, plus a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below.

Where can I watch the Epsom Derby Festival?

Those of you with a Racing TV subscription can enjoy all the races live but for everyone else in the country, tune in to ITV1 where the ITV Racing team will take you right to the heart of the action.

In 2025 ITV Racing will cover the Epsom Derby Festival between 1-5pm on the Friday, broadcasting five live races, and between 12.45-4.15pm on the Saturday, when four of the live races will be broadcast

Presented by Ed Chamberlin, viewers will be taken to the heart of the action to see some of their favourite equine stars take part in this historic British Classic meeting.

Ed and Francesca Cumani will be joined by multiple Derby-winning jockey, Jonny Murtagh alongside former jockeys and racing experts, Jason Weaver and Adele Mulrennan.

Oli Bell, Rishi Persad and Matt Chapman will be covering all the action from around the course with Mick Fitzgerald at the starts, Brian Gleeson in the betting ring and Richard Hoiles in the commentary box. Sam Quek will join the team in the Social Stable.

The live Festival coverage will also be simulcast on ITVX, on web and app for viewers to watch online or if you’re on the move you can still keep up to date by listening to BBC Radio 5 Live.

What time does the Epsom Derby Festival start?

The full 2025 Epsom Derby Festival racecard is as follows.

Friday 6 June – Ladies’ Day

ITV – live racing – 1-5pm

1.30pm: The Nyetimber Surrey Stakes

2.05pm: The Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes

2.40pm: The Coronation Cup (Group One)

3.15pm: The Betfred Nifty Fifty Handicap Stakes

4pm: The Betfred Oaks (Group One)

4.35pm: The Trustatrader Handicap Stakes

5.10pm: The Debenhams Handicap Stakes

Saturday 7 June – Derby Day

ITV4 – The Opening Show – 9.30-10.30am

ITV and ITV4 – live racing – 12.45-4.15pm

1pm: The Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group Three)

1.35pm: The Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group Three)

2.10pm: The Betfred three-year-old ‘Dash’ Handicap |

2.45pm: The Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap Stakes

3.30pm: The Betfred Derby (in honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV) (Group One)

4.15pm: The Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap Stakes

5pm: The Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap Stakes

5.40pm: The JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap Stakes

You can also watch the action live via the pay-for channel, RacingTV.

What if I’m too excited to wait until the Epsom Derby Festival TV coverage starts?

After you’ve picked up your copy of the Racing Post — every Epsom Derby Festival viewer’s bible — be sure to tune into ITV4 between 9.30am and 10.30am on the Saturday The Opening Show: Derby Day Special. This programme will be presented by Oli Bell, and will look ahead to the races on ITV later that day, with all the latest news from Epsom on Derby Day.

How to watch the Epsom Derby Festival from anywhere

Not in the UK right now? You don’t have to miss out on any of the action from Epsom Derby Festival. ITVX is geo-restricted, meaning it doesn’t usually work outside of the UK, but a VPN is a simple and safe way around this.

A Virtual Private Network will alter your device’s IP address to make it appear to be in a different country, allowing you to access your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world. It’s great for watching racing on the move, and it’s also handy even if you’re watching at home. VPNs are designed with internet security in mind, creating encrypted connections that keep your data safe from third parties and improve streaming speeds by preventing bandwidth ‘throttling’ from your internet service provider.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, which is the best VPN in the world according to our colleagues at TechRadar.

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Download and install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access – UK for ITV.

3. Then head over to your streaming service on your device and enjoy the live stream.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

On Friday 6 June, we will be treated to more Group One Flat racing action when the Betfred Oaks gets underway at Epsom Racecourse.

Here’s the full list of runners and riders who will be lining up at 4pm in this historic race for some of the world’s best three-year-old fillies to help you select your Epsom Oaks bets. Who is your pick to win? 

Pick your Epsom Oaks bets

Horse: Desert Flower | Jockey: William Buick

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Form: Run five times. Won five times, including the Group One 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Prize money won to-date: £677,832.

Minnie Hauk | Jockey: Ryan Moore

Aidan O’Brien

Form: Run three times. Won twice, including the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester last time out. Prize money won to-date: £80,261.

Whirl | Jockey: Wayne Lordan 

Aidan O’Brien

Form: Run six times. Won three times, including the Group Three Musidora Stakes at York last time out. Prize money won to-date: £121,684.

Giselle | Jockey: Colin Keane 

Aidan O’Brien

Form: Run four times, winning on two occasions, including the Listed Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes last time out. Prize money won to-date: £51,565.

Elwateen | Jockey: Jim Crowley 

Saeed bin Suroor

Form: Run twice and won once. Finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last time out. Prize money won to-date: £33,069.

Revoir | Jockey: Hector Crouch

Ralph Beckett

Form: Run twice. Won once and was second last time out when beaten by a short head in the Listed Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury. Prize money won to-date: £19,850.

Wemightakedlongway | Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle

Joseph O’Brien

Form: Run five times and won twice, including winning the Group Three Salsabil Stakes last time out. Prize money won to-date: £47,516.

Qilin Queen | Jockey: Tom Marquand 

Ed Walker

Form: Run five times. Won twice, including the Listed Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury last time out. Prize money won to-date: £79,954.

Go Go Boots | Jockey: Oisin Murphy 

John & Thady Gosden

Form: Run three times. Won twice and most recently finished third in the Group Three Musidora Stakes at York. Prize money won to-date: £21,278.

How to bet on your Epsom Oaks pick

It is important that you gamble responsibly and you can read more advice on how to bet here. Enjoy!

How can I watch the Epsom Oaks?

ITV is the place for UK audiences to watch the Epsom Oaks, with most of the races from the meeting being streamed for free on ITVX. There is also an ITVX app that works on almost all smart devices. Just search for the app on any device, phone or console you have. You will also be able to watch on both the ITV and ITV4 channels on TV.

Read our full guide on how to watch the Epsom Oaks.

What is the prize money for winning?

The winner of the 2025 Epsom Oaks will take home £325,033.

Recent Epsom Oaks winners

2024: Ezeliya, ridden by Chris Hayes, trained by Dermot Weld and owned by HH The Aga Khan IV

2023: Soul Sister, ridden by Frankie Dettori, trained by John and Thady Gosden, owned by Lady Bamford

2022: Tuesday, ridden by Ryan Moore, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg

2021: Snowfall, ridden by Frankie Dettori, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

2020: Love, ridden by Ryan Moore, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

2019: Anapurna, ridden by Frankie Dettori, trained by John Gosden and owned by Helena Springfield Ltd

2018: Forever Together, ridden by Donnacha O’Brien, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

2017: Enable, ridden by Frankie Dettori, trained by John Gosden and owned by Khalid Abdullah

2016: Minding, ridden by Ryan Moore, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Magnier/Tabor/Smith

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

A beginner’s guide to betting

If you fancy having a flutter on a horse race but don’t know where to start, we’re here to help.

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

If you’re gearing up for race day and want to catch every thrilling moment from a front-row perspective, having a pair of the best binoculars is a game-changer. Think of it like having a personal front-seat upgrade – you get to see every gallop, every stride, and every burst of speed without having to scramble for a better view.

There are plenty of options out there to suit different needs. In this guide to the best binoculars for horse racing we’ll give you all the information you need to pick the best binoculars to enhance your enjoyment at the races, whether you’re heading to Cheltenham Festival or your local track. If you’re a bit befuddled by the numbers and specifications, here’s a super-simple explainer.

Best binoculars for horse racing: H&H’s quick guide

Best value binoculars: Nikon Prostaff P7 10×42

Best compact binoculars: Steiner BluHorizons 10×26

Best premium pick: Canon 10×30 IS

Best budget pick: Olympus 8×25 WP

Nikon Prostaff P7 10×42

Magnification: 10x

Objective lens diameter: 42mm

Weight: 645g

RRP: £259

Reasons to buy

• Sharp, high-contrast images with multi-coated lenses
• Waterproof and fog-proof, ideal for all weather conditions
• Comfortable rubber-armoured grip for secure handling

Reasons to avoid

• Slightly heavier than some compact models
• Higher magnification can make it harder to keep a steady image without a tripod

The Nikon Prostaff P7 10×42 is a solid all-rounder, perfect for racegoers who want crisp, detailed views without jumping to a premium price bracket. The multi-coated optics and phase-corrected roof prisms enhance brightness and clarity, helping you track fast-moving horses with ease.

Built to handle the elements, these binoculars are waterproof and nitrogen-filled, meaning you won’t have to worry about misting up in damp conditions. The textured rubber coating ensures a comfortable and secure grip, even on a long day at the races.

With 10x magnification, you’ll get up-close views of the action, but if you struggle with a steady hand, a lower magnification model might be easier to use. However, for those looking for a high-quality pair that balances performance, durability, and affordability, the Nikon Prostaff 7S is a great pick.

Steiner BluHorizons 10×26

Magnification: 10x

Objective lens diameter: 26mm

Weight: 310g

RRP: £199

Reasons to buy

• Ultra-compact and lightweight
• Auto-adjusting light technology for glare-free viewing
• Rugged, rubber exterior for durability

Reasons to avoid

• Smaller objective lens lets in less light in low-light conditions
• 10x magnification can be tricky to keep steady in a compact model

The Steiner BluHorizons 10×26 is perfect for racegoers who want a lightweight, pocket-sized binocular without sacrificing performance. The lens automatically adjusts brightness to reduce glare – ideal for those sunny days at the track.

While the 10x magnification provides fantastic close-up views, the smaller 26mm objective lens means they perform best in bright daylight. If you want something compact that’s easy to carry but still powerful enough for a detailed view, these are a great option.

Canon 10×30 IS

Magnification: 10x

Objective lens diameter: 30mm

Weight: 600g

RRP: £469.99

Reasons to buy

• Image stabilisation tech (IS) for a steady view
• Crisp, high-contrast optics
• Comfortable, ergonomic design for extended use

Reasons to avoid

• Battery-powered stabilization requires replacements
• More expensive than non-stabilized models

The Canon 10×30 IS stands out with its image stabilisation technology, which compensates for hand movements, delivering a steady, shake-free view. This makes them perfect for following the action, even at higher magnifications.

The 30mm objective lens balances portability and light-gathering ability, making them a solid mid-range option. If you struggle to keep binoculars steady but want the benefits of 10x zoom, these are the best horse racing binoculars for you.

Olympus 8×25 WP

Magnification: 8x

Objective lens diameter: 25mm

Weight: 260g

RRP: £109.99

Reasons to buy

• Extremely lightweight and compact
• Waterproof design for all-weather use
• Budget-friendly without sacrificing quality

Reasons to avoid

• Lower magnification compared to others on this list
• Small objective lens limits brightness in dim conditions

The Olympus 8×25 WP is one of the most compact and affordable options on this list, making it a great pick for casual racegoers. Despite its small size, the optics are surprisingly sharp and its waterproofing ensures durability.

If you’re after something lightweight that still provides clear and stable viewing, these are an excellent choice for the price.

Zeiss Terra ED 8×42

Magnification: 8x

Objective lens diameter: 42mm

Weight: 725g

Reasons to buy

• Wide field of view
• Exceptional optics with ED glass for high contrast and sharp details
• Waterproof and nitrogen-filled for durability

Reasons to avoid

• Higher price point compared to similar models
• Slightly bulkier than compact binoculars

The Zeiss Terra ED 8×42 is a premium choice for those who want exceptional clarity and a wide field of view. The ED glass enhances contrast and reduces chromatic aberration, meaning you get razor-sharp images with true-to-life colors.

With 8x magnification, you get a broader perspective, making it easier to track horses in motion. They’re slightly larger than some competitors, but if optical quality is your top priority, these are worth the investment.

Steiner Wildlife 8×24

Magnification: 8x

Objective lens diameter: 24mm

Weight: 350g

RRP: £189

Reasons to buy

• Lightweight and compact for easy carrying
• Wide field of view for tracking movement
• Robust, rubber design

Reasons to avoid

• Smaller objective lens limits brightness in low light
• Not as powerful as larger models

For racegoers who want a balance between portability and performance, the Steiner Wildlife 8×24 could be the one for you. The 8x magnification offers a steady, wide view, making it easier to track moving horses.

Designed for rugged use, the rubber coating ensures a secure grip, even in wet conditions. While the smaller objective lens means they’re best suited to bright daylight, their lightweight design makes them easy to carry all day.

Celestron Outland X 10×42

Magnification: 10x

Objective lens diameter: 42mm

Weight: 624g

RRP: £95

Reasons to buy

• Great value for a 10×42 model
• Waterproof and fog-proof for all-weather use
• Rubber coating for a secure grip

Reasons to avoid

• Image clarity not as sharp as premium models
• Slightly heavier than some alternatives

For those on a budget, the Celestron Outland X 10×42 provides decent magnification and a robust, waterproof design at a low price point. They don’t match the clarity of higher-end options, but they’re solid for casual use.

How to choose a pair of binoculars for horse racing

There are plenty of binoculars available. Some are super compact and easy to carry around, which is perfect if you want to keep things light and hassle-free. Others, however, pack a bit more power with higher magnification and even image stabilisation to make sure you don’t miss a detail – even if your hands are a little shaky from all the excitement. It all comes down to what kind of experience you’re after.

“A decent pair of binoculars are your best accessory at the races,” explains Horse & Hound’s racing editor Jennifer Donald. “If you’ve a vested interest in a particular horse, whether as a punter, keen spectator or owner, nothing beats zooming in and following all the action.”

Gemma Redrup, Horse & Hound’s point-to-point editor adds: “In the absence of a big screen at most point-to-point fixtures, binoculars really help you keep abreast of the action within a race – and can therefore make you the envy of many as a result!”

Understanding binocular numbers: what do they mean?

When you pick up a pair of binoculars, you’ll often see a set of numbers printed on the body – something like “8×32” or “10×42”. At first glance, these might seem confusing, but they’re actually the key to understanding how your binoculars will perform.

The first number represents the magnification. An 8x magnification means objects will appear eight times closer than they are to the naked eye, while 10x magnification brings them ten times closer. The “x” simply stands for “times magnification”.

The second number refers to the diameter of the objective lens (the lens furthest from your eyes) in millimeters. For example, in 8×32 binoculars, the 32mm objective lens determines how much light enters the binoculars. A larger lens allows more light in, which means a brighter, clearer image, especially in low-light conditions.

What binoculars are best for horse racing?

It might seem like bigger is better when it comes to magnification, but that’s not always the case. While higher magnification provides a closer view, it also has trade-offs. Without a large enough objective lens, the image can appear darker and less clear, especially in low light.

For horse racing, you’ll want a balance between magnification and stability. Anything over 10x can amplify natural hand movements, making the image shaky and difficult to track fast-moving horses. Heavier binoculars can also become tiring to hold for long periods.

For the best race-day experience, 8x or 10x magnification with a 32mm–42mm objective lens is ideal – giving you a clear, steady view without unnecessary weight.

You might also be interested in:

What to wear to Cheltenham Races – outfits for ladies and gents

What to wear to the races – all occasions covered

A bluffer’s guide to reading a racecard

The new season is upon us! A beginner’s guide to point-to-point racing

10 pairs of country boots you’d like to be seen in

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

After weeks of speculation and debate, megastar colt City Of Troy silenced all his doubters with a commanding victory in the 2024 Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday (1 June). The colt provided trainer Aidan O’Brien with the opportunity to claim a record-extending 10th triumph within his impressive Epsom Derby results.

Despite the son of Justify’s puzzling below-par performance in last month’s 2000 Guineas, the Ballydoyle handler had proclaimed before Epsom, “I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse with as much ability for this race”. In the immediate aftermath of City Of Troy’s exhilarating two-and-three-quarter-length Derby victory, O’Brien underlined that he was, without doubt, “the best Derby winner we’ve ever had”.

Jockey Ryan Moore, celebrating his fourth success in the Derby at Epsom, described the colt as green but “sensational”.

“He was going to win very easily – he quickened well and you’d have to be delighted with what he’s done today,” said Moore, who finished a disappointing sixth to Ezeliya on the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite Ylang Ylang in Friday’s Betfred Oaks. “It was hard to know what would happen today, but he was brilliant.”

Epsom Derby results 2024: first and third for Ballydoyle

During the early stages of the 1m 4f Derby, Moore was happy to drop City Of Troy towards the rear of the 16-runner pack and let him lob away in his typically relaxed manner. As the field accelerated round Tattenham Corner, a tempting gap opened up and the bay colt burst through with breathtaking speed, letting the loose horse Voyage – who stumbled and unshipped his rider coming out of the starting stalls – guide him home for possibly one of the greatest Derby successes we’ve ever seen.

“So many people have put their heart and soul into City Of Troy and Ryan gave him an incredible ride,” said Aidan O’Brien of the colt who runs in the silks of Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. “We knew that the 2000 Guineas went totally wrong. I made mistakes training him and that’s the bottom line.

“But the cruise he has and the ability he has – it’s very exciting for everybody.”

The Gredley family celebrated a second-place finish with their James Fanshawe-trained Ambiente Friendly, ridden by Robert Havlin. Showjumper Tim Gredley was set to return to a rain-soaked five-star show at St Gallen after the historic Epsom race to contest Sunday’s grand prix.

Ballydoyle’s second runner Los Angeles finished third under Wayne Lordan.

• You can read the full report from the Derby meeting at Epsom in this week’s Horse & Hound, in the shops Thursday 6 June

You may also be interested in…

Meet Derby favourite City Of Troy: ‘I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse with as much ability to Epsom for this race’

Showjumper eyes up a unique Epsom and Hickstead Derby double

‘A really special day’: trainer enjoys Oaks success 43 years after his last

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The favourite for this year’s Derby at Epsom, City Of Troy, is one of the most talked about racehorses right now.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained megastar colt was unbeaten as a two-year-old, being crowned champion juvenile and drawing comparisons with the mighty Frankel. However his highly anticipated seasonal return in the recent 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, resulted in an unexpected defeat.

Had the colt not trained on into his three-year-old year, as sometimes happens? Had the atrocious winter weather affected his pre-season preparations? Or would he follow in his stablemate Auguste Rodin’s footsteps and bounce back from a below par Guineas run and win the Derby?

In the aftermath of Newmarket, the Ballydoyle team went into overdrive behind the scenes, analysing and assessing. They have since come out extremely bullish about his chances at Epsom on Saturday 1 June and he has returned to the top of the betting market as favourite for this historic race.

“I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as City Of Troy,” said Aidan when H&H spent the day with the team at Ballydoyle recently.

“He’s very good natured – unusually good for a colt. He has lots of scope underneath him, he’s very balanced and nimble, and he has an unbelievable mind – there’s a lot of [damsire] Galileo in him – and he gallops with his head very low and out, with a very long stride for not a very big horse,” says Aidan illustrating his “chinning” technique to measure his horses (pictured, below).

“I know that my chin represents 15.3hh and if I put mine against City Of Troy, he’s nearly 16.1hh. That’s my measuring stick.

“When you stand in to City Of Troy he’s big, but he’s not a big bulky sprinter, and he’s very balanced, he has a long stride and he’s a very nimble horse, whereas a lot of the those big strong bulky milers get lost round Epsom.”

City Of Troy: “He’s so chilled out – very friendly and kind”

The colt is ridden out every day by Ballydoyle work rider Dean Gallagher, while David Hickey looks after him. In 27 years working at Ballydoyle, David has looked after a star-studded cast including Camelot, Australia, Starspangledbanner and St Nicholas Abbey. David describes Troy as “such a gentleman”.

“He’s so chilled out – very friendly and kind, and he’s always looking out his door,” he says. “Things didn’t go right for him in the Guineas, but I think you’ll see the real City Of Troy the next time.”

Reflecting on the 2000 Guineas in which City Of Troy and Ryan Moore finished ninth behind victor Notable Speech, Aidan says a host of circumstances went against them.

“He went into the stalls last, but the way it worked we might have been better going in earlier because he was revved up and the minute he went in, he spooked, he reared and as soon as he hit the ground again they were off and running,” says Aidan.

“Usually when something like that happens, the heart rate goes up to between 120 and 150 beats per minute, so he started the race very high when it should have been way lower. Horses go into the red zone when they go over 200 beats per minute and City Of Troy probably got there before halfway in the race, so it was impossible for him to keep going.

“We just accepted that sometimes things don’t work but really it’s my responsibility to try to make sure it does. We did our homework but we hadn’t done it properly – that’s where we’re looking at the Guineas.”

“The Derby is the race I look forward to most each year”

“I felt a huge weight of expectancy in the Guineas – I felt everybody was there to see City Of Troy,” says Aidan. “I probably expected too much of him and hadn’t done my preparation properly.

“It’s our job to prepare him to go to the races for Ryan Moore to sit on, and when Ryan sits on him he has to be in the right frame of mind, he has to have all the things done and ready. I felt we let him down. Now Ryan would never say it, he never blames anybody but himself, but that’s what I would have felt. It was just a complete let down for everybody because we were all expecting it. But it all went against us and we have to accept that and try to get back to where we want to go.

“The plan was always to start with the Guineas and go to the Derby, then go wherever after that, and we decided to stay with that plan – he’s done nothing since to make us change the plan.

“The lads here are unbelievable and they take disappointment like that on the chin,” he adds. “We’ve been doing this for 30 years now. You have to believe and everyone has to know what we’re really thinking and what we’re dreaming.

“So right now, we’re back dreaming again, we’re making a new start on City Of Troy’s programme. It will make the next race very interesting anyway. The Guineas wasn’t meant to be. What we would have learnt in the Guineas will help us to prepare properly for the Derby, hopefully.”

Starting with Galileo in 2001, Aidan has landed the Epsom Classic a record nine times.

“The Derby is the race I look forward to most each year,” he says. “It’s everyone’s dream, whether their horse costs €2m or €20,000, anything is possible, and we’re certainly back dreaming again.”

You can read all about H&H’s visit to Ballydoyle, with insight on everything from a horse’s will to win to the importance of sleep in Horse & Hound magazine (30 May issue). 

You may also like to read…

Remarkable comeback results in trainer notching a record-breaking Derby victory

Joseph O’Brien quits race-riding to focus on training

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

‘I was useless as a kid – today is a great day’: first Derby victory for British jockey and a poignant win for the trainer

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Olympic showjumping team hopeful Tim Gredley has a busy June ahead of him as he attempts to pull off a unique Derby double.

On Saturday (1 June) after fulfilling his previous day’s League Of Nations team duties in St Gallen, Switzerland, the Newmarket-based showjumper is travelling to Epsom Racecourse in Surrey where his family’s racehorse Ambiente Friendly lines up as one of the favourites for the historic Flat race, the Betfred Derby.

Three weeks later, at the world famous Hickstead Derby, Tim is hoping his showjumping stable jockey Joe Clayton can triumph with his Unex Competition Yard-owned Gentlemen VH Veldhof, with whom Tim finished 15th in last year’s contest.

“It certainly would be an odd double,” smiles Tim. “But that’s the aim!”

Tim Gredley: “We took his shoes off and let him enjoy some time in the field”

Ambiente Friendly was bought last year by Tim’s father Bill Gredley with former jockey Freddy Tylicki. The family’s patience and vision with the “tearaway” two-year-old have been richly rewarded with a three-year-old colt who now heads to the Epsom Classic as second favourite behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained City Of Troy.

“We sent him into training with James Fanshawe straight from the breeze-ups last year. I went to watch him one morning and he was lathered in sweat, just not ready to be doing what he was doing,” Tim tells H&H. “So we took the decision to take his shoes off and let him enjoy some time in the field for three months over the summer to grow and develop, and just let his mind get a bit better.”

Ambiente Friendly, who is by the Coolmore stallion Gleneagles out of Fastnet Rock mare Roxity, returned to Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe in July and won his first race at Leicester over seven furlongs “quite easily”.

“Everybody obviously hopes they have a potential Derby horse but he showed that day he had an engine, it just needed a bit of managing,” recalls Tim. “We wanted to see what we really had after that, so we ran him in a Group Three at Newmarket and we got the tactics all wrong – we should have begun to teach him to settle then, rather than letting him bowl along.

“We were all a bit annoyed with ourselves, but we learnt from that and we took the decision that he wasn’t going to be a Guineas horse – his mind wasn’t right for it – and instead the Fanshawes did a brilliant job spending the whole winter teaching him to settle in behind horses and canter slowly.”

“It’s just nice to be involved in the Derby conversation”

Ambiente Friendly finished fourth in his seasonal reappearance in a Listed race at Newmarket for new jockey Callum Shepherd, before stepping up in distance for Lingfield’s Derby Trial on 11 May, which he won with devastating ease, beating the Aidan O’Brien-trained Illinois. The Betfred Derby, part of the QIPCO British Champions series, is now the ultimate goal in this remarkable journey and experienced jockey Rab Havlin has been booked to ride Ambiente Friendly in the race.

“The plan came off and it’s very exciting now,” says Tim. “It’s lucky that we’ve managed him right, because he could very easily not be where he is now if we’d carried on with him as a two-year-old.

“It looks like it’s an open Derby this year – obviously you have to be realistic when you’re up against those big guys and we’re very aware they won’t be letting anyone have any sort of advantage or easy ride! We’d be delighted to be up among the top three or four. Really it’s just nice to be involved in the conversation.”

On to the Hickstead Derby…

After Derby day at Epsom, Tim Gredley will return to St Gallen to jump in Sunday’s five-star grand prix.

“With this new rule you can only jump two horses in the League Of Nations shows anyway, so there wouldn’t be anything for me to jump in on the Saturday – so I hope it’s doable to make it to Epsom on the Saturday for the Derby, then get back to St Gallen on the Sunday for the grand prix,” he says. “It’s not very often you get a runner in the Derby, let alone one with a real chance, so I’m not going to miss it!”

According to Tim, Hickstead’s Al Shira’aa Derby has also been the long-term plan for Joe Clayton and the 18-year-old Gentlemen VH Veldhof.

“I’m letting Joe and Gentlemen give it a go this year – I can’t do everything at the moment!” he says. “I think he’ll have a really good chance – the horse has never been fitter or looked healthier and has been round a couple of times with me.

“Joe’s been on flying form with him recently and really that’s been the plan since the beginning of the year, for Joe to go and win the Hickstead Derby.”

Can they pull it off? Watch this space!

You may also like to read…

Meet top showjumper’s home-bred Royal Ascot-winning racehorse, who is a Cheltenham Festival contender

‘One of the best rounds of the year’: Great Britain wins Nations Cup Final opening leg

Be prepared for serious yard envy – take a look at British team hero Tim Gredley’s incredible stables

‘The best day’: an emotional John Whitaker helps Great Britain triumph in Hickstead Nations Cup

Tim Gredley makes Hickstead Derby comeback — 17 years after his first attempt in the iconic class

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With Frankie Dettori set to enter the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle on ITV in 2023, we take a look at the reasons why the Italian jockey is such a favourite with the public — and it’s not just for his flying dismounts…

1. Frankie Dettori is a mischievous Milanese

Lanfranco Dettori, the son of Italian champion jockey Gianfranco Dettori and a circus performer mother, was born in 1970 and moved to Great Britain at the age of 14 to work for Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani. The British racing industry has enjoyed “The Frankie Factor” ever since.

2. He’s been winning races for over 30 years

Frankie, who measures in at 5ft 4in, became the first teenager since Lester Piggott to record 100 victories. He has since been champion jockey three times and won the Derby twice.

3. Frankie Dettori is a national celebrity

He took part in the 2013 series of Celebrity Big Brother during a six-month spell on the sidelines after he was found guilty of taking a prohibited substance. He trailed in seventh. He was also team captain on A Question Of Sport for two years.

4. If at first you don’t succeed…

He finally won the Derby on his 15th attempt. In 2007 he rode the Peter Chapple-Hyam trained Authorized to victory at Epsom.

5. He’s bounced back from adversity

In 2000, he and Ray Cochrane, who later became his agent, were involved in a plane crash at Newmarket when he was on his way to Goodwood. The pilot was killed but Frankie escaped with a fractured ankle.

6. His trademark flying dismounts

Frankie is well-known for performing a flamboyant flying dismount in the winner’s enclousure after his big-race victories — perhaps thanks to his acrobatic genes?

7. He’s bred a National Hunt champion

Dodging Bullets, who Frankie bred out of Nova Cygni, by his Irish 2000 Guineas winner Dubawi, won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2015.

8. His “magnificent seven” remains a phenomenal achievement

His crowning glory came on Champions Day at Ascot in 1996 when he rode all seven winners on the card at odds of 10,168-1.

9. Frankie Dettori’s retirement turnaround…

Frankie had previously said that he would hang up his silks at the end of this year, but the celebrated Flat jockey announced on 12 October, that he would instead be heading to the US to take up race-riding opportunities there and elsewhere on the international circuit – which is great, because it means we don’t have to wave goodbye to his career in the saddle just yet.

You may also be interested in…

‘I’ve decided to prolong my career’: Frankie Dettori makes retirement U-turn

Would you like to move into Frankie Dettori’s house? Well now you can!

‘I can’t hear myself talking’: Frankie Dettori lands huge victory at his last Royal Ascot

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Desert Crown, who memorably won the 2022 Derby, has been put down after failing to recover from a serious fetlock injury he sustained on gallops in Newmarket in August.

The four-year-old, who won three of his four starts, was trained by Sir Michael Stoute, owned by Saeed Suhail and bred by Strawberry Fields Stud. He picked up the injury while preparing for a tilt at winning the Group One Juddmonte International at York, but was believed to be on the road to recovery. But he was put down at Newmarket Equine Hospital (NEH) on Monday afternoon (23 October) after surgeons there concluded there was no more they could do to save him.

Saeed Suhail’s racing manager Bruce Raymond told the Racing Post: “Desert Crown was a great horse and was destined to be one of the best if he hadn’t had this injury. He was one of the easiest winners of the Derby I can remember, and it’s a great shame we’ve lost him.”

Mr Raymond said Desert Crown fractured his off fore and had 16 screws inserted, but although “everything seemed to be going well”, the injury put too much pressure on his near fore.

“He was put down humanely at NEH, where the surgeons have been outstanding,” he said.

Desert Crown, out of Green Desert mare Desert Berry and by Nathaniel, whose progeny include the great Enable, won his debut at Nottingham in November 2021, his sole start as a two-year-old, and impressed in a stylish Dante victory at York in May 2022. His last run was in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown in May, where he finished second to Hukum. He won £1,031,201 in his four-race career, such was the quality of races he was competing in.

Desert Crown’s Derby victory was an impressive one – he was eased down to win by two and a half lengths under Richard Kingscote, for whom it was a first Derby triumph.

You may also be interested in…

Watch Derby favourite Desert Crown take his first steps as a foal

‘I was useless as a kid – today is a great day’: first Derby victory for British jockey and a poignant win for the trainer

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Edward (Eddie) Hide, the six-time Classic-winning jockey died on 7 September, aged 86.

Mr Hide was born near Ludlow, Shropshire, in 1937. His father Bill was a trainer, and Mr Hide followed him into racing. He rode his first winner aged 14, Ritornello, at Chepstow in 1951, and in 1954 he became champion apprentice.

Mr Hide won his first Classic, the 1959 St Leger, on Cantelo for trainer Captain Charles Elsey. He went on to win another five Classics – the 1967 Oaks on Pia, the 1000 Guineas in 1972 on Waterloo and 1977 on Mrs McArdy, and the 1978 St Leger with Julio Mariner. His most notable Classic win was the 1973 Derby at Epsom on the Arthur Budgett-trained outsider Morston; they beat Lester Piggott and Cavo Doro by half a length.

During his career, he rode 2,593 winners in Britain, and won the title “Cock of the North” – the title given to the jockey with the most Flat wins at northern racecourses – 16 times. One of his most successful tracks was Redcar, in North Yorkshire, where his victories included three Zetland Gold Cups, in 1962 with Henry VII, 1977 on Move Off and 1987 on Say Primula. He retired from the saddle in 1986, aged 49.

Redcar racecourse paid tribute to Mr Hide and on 19 September named a race in his honour, the Edward Hide Restricted Novice Stakes.

“Edward Hide will be remembered as one of the greatest jockeys in Redcar’s history, so we felt it was important to take the earliest opportunity to celebrate his remarkable life in the most appropriate way,” said a Redcar spokesman.

Mr Hide is survived by his wife Sue, son Will and daughter Lizzie.

You might also be interested in:

Remarkable comeback results in trainer notching a record-breaking Derby victory

‘It’s mental’: Frankie Dettori bags final Oaks victory at Epsom in his last year in the saddle

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Trainer Aidan O’Brien notched up a record-breaking ninth Epsom Derby victory when Auguste Rodin won the Betfred-sponsored race earlier this afternoon (3 June) under Ryan Moore.

Auguste Rodin, who is owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs J Magnier and Westerberg, stayed on well over the 1m4f trip, winning by half a length and was always doing enough.

“We had a smooth run. I landed in a nice spot and was always confident I had William [Buick] and Frankie [Dettori] covered,” explained Ryan of his ride. “In the end, it turned into a bit of a dash, but he responded gamely in the last furlong.”

What is remarkable about this result is that Auguste Rodin disappointed on his last appearance, finishing a dwindling 12th when sent off favourite for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket at the beginning of May.

“Aidan is the only man that could get a horse back from a bad run in the Guineas,” said Ryan, for whom this was a 15th British Classic victory. “This horse has a great pedigree and has always shown promise – we’ve always had a lot of belief in him.”

As is always the case, Aidan was quick to thank his team at home.

“This result is a great credit to everyone and there are so many people to thank. Auguste Rodin is a home-bred horse and he is totally unique being by Deep Impact and out of one of the greatest mares [Rhododendron], who was by Galileo,” said Aidan of his Epsom Derby result. “Everything fell against him in the Guineas but he came out of the race great. Then every day at home he was getting better and more confident. Ryan gave him a peach of a ride today.”

Aidan explained that Ryan said Auguste Rodin was special in February 2022.

“When Ryan rode him in work for the first time as a two-year-old last February, he said that this horse was special and his movement is incredible.”

66/1 shot King Of Steel gave a very impressive performance to finish second under Derby first-timer Kevin Stott, for trainer Roger Varian and owner Amo Racing Limited. This Epsom Derby result for King Of Steel, who is by Wootton Bassett, is worth noting given that he had only run twice prior to the Derby and had clocked £3,240, but he has now added £335,819.24 to that with this performance.

“That was a huge run and fair play to the trainer,” said Kevin. “I think maybe I was in front a bit too long but we were beaten by a very good horse.”

White Birch was third at 12/1 under Colin Keane, for trainer John James Murphy and owner Mrs C C Regalado-Gonzalez.

Frankie Dettori, who won the Oaks yesterday, was sent off favourite in the Derby with Arrest, but they finished in eventual 10th.

“The track was too much for him and he couldn’t run down the hill,” explained Frankie of Arrest’s performance. “His chances were over a long way out.”

Epsom Derby 2023 result: winner’s breeding

Auguste Rodin is out of the Galileo mare Rhododendron and by Deep Impact.

Deep Impact was a champion Japanese racehorse, who won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2005 and the Japan Cup in 2006, as well as three other Japanese Grade One races. Auguste Rodin is one of just six foals from Deep Impact’s final crop prior to his death aged 17 in 2019.

Rhododendron is one of the most successful mares by Galileo. She clocked over £1.36m in prize money during her career. As a two-year-old in 2016 she was rated the joint-best filly of her generation trained in Europe, inferior only to the American filly Lady Aurelia. After finishing second on her racecourse debut she won a maiden race at Goodwood and then recorded her first important success when taking the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in August. In October, she won the Fillies’ Mile and as a three-year-old she finished second in both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks before winning the Prix de l’Opéra. As a four-year-old in 2018 she added another major win in the Lockinge Stakes. Her owners decided to send her to Japan to be covered by Deep Impact following her retirement from the track.

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 8 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

You might also like:

‘It’s mental’: Frankie Dettori bags final Oaks victory at Epsom in his last year in the saddle

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori made his final ride in the Epsom Oaks a winning one when riding the John and Thady Gosden-trained Soul Sister to a comfortable victory. This is Frankie’s final year in the saddle, making this Group One Betfred Oaks victory a particularly poignant one.

Frankie said to ITV after achieving his seventh victory in this prestigious race: “That means a lot – seven Oaks winners. Lady Bamford is a big supporter of mine and in my last year that is my second Classic winner – unbelievable.” The 52-year-old jockey also won the first Classic of the season, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, on Chaldean.

Frankie enjoyed further Group One success earlier in the day when piloting Emily Upjohn to victory in the Coronation Cup, also for John and Thady Gosden.

“I have ridden two great fillies this afternoon – Emily Upjohn and this one. I just want to soak it in now!” said Frankie. “It was a bit messy at the beginning and I didn’t want to go too wide. William [Buick] stopped quickly and I had to go wide, but I kept her balanced and she did the rest.”

Frankie’s previous Oaks winners are Balanchine (1994), Moonshell (1995), Kazzia (2002), Enable (2017), Anapurna (2019) and Snowfall (2021). He has now ridden 23 English Classic winners.

Of how the race panned out, Frankie said: “I followed Buick and he dived very quickly around Tattenham Corner and so I had to take evasive actions and swing right. We got organised and sat quiet between the three and the one and a half furlong poles and then I was just hoping that if I pressed the button she would go – and she did go. She’s shown so much class.

“If I stayed on one more year, I may get close to Lester [Piggott]’s 30 [Classic wins]. I’m joking! It’s incredible and I’ve had some fantastic rides. Emily and Soul Sister mean it’s two in the bag and we’ve one to go with Arrest tomorrow.

“It is mental, I’ll be honest with you. I thought I had three good rides in the three Group One races, but to have two in the bag already with the Derby to go is crazy. I’m stuck for words!”

Soul Sister is owned and was bred by Lady Bamford, who is a long-term supporter of racing. She led her mare in to the winner’s enclosure and was unsurprisingly delighted with the victory having previously enjoyed Oaks success with Sariska in 2009.

This was a fourth Oaks victory for John Gosden, who now trains alongside his son Thady.

“I could see she was coming strongly, but I didn’t know if she’d stay the mile and a half, but she did, and she stayed it well, which she needed,” said John. “This last half furlong up the hill will find them out, but she stuck her neck out and she’s a classy filly.

“Her family are milers, but looking at her pedigree I saw Darshaan under the third dam, so I thought there was a chance she’d stay. I didn’t know until the two marker what was going to happen, but it was a strongly run race and she’s beaten two nice fillies, seeing it out well.”

Of plans for the future with Soul Sister, John explained: “I think she’s versatile enough to go a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. It’s great for her to win a Classic for the owners, who bred her at their own farm, and let me tell you, that’s not an easy game. It’s hard enough to get a mare in foal, let alone breed a horse like that.”

Soul Sister went off at odds of 11/4, while short-priced favourite Savethelastdance (5/6) finished one-and-three-quarter lengths down in second under Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Epsom Oaks. 40/1 shot Caernarfon finished a creditable third, just a head behind Savethelastdance, under Connor Beasley for trainer Jack Channon.

Aidan O’Brien said of Savethelastdance’s performance: “She has run well, but she obviously handles soft ground and stays very well. We were very happy with her really. She has a lot of options and we can do whatever. She is a big honest filly that stays very well and handles soft ground when it comes. She handles good ground, but soft ground doesn’t bother her.”

Jack Channon said of his Epsom Oaks result: “At the top of the hill she was travelling so well, but you could see that Frankie was travelling just as well. We picked up just as well as her [Soul Sister] up until about the furlong pole, and she probably hasn’t quite got up the hill.

“She’s a very good filly, we’re blessed to have her in the yard, and it’s just a massive thank you to everyone in the yard who has done such a great job.”

2023 Epsom Oaks result: Soul Sister’s breeding

Soul Sister is bred in the purple; by the unbeaten Frankel, out of a Dansili mare named Dream Peace. Frankel needs little introduction – he clocked almost £3m in prize money during his unbeaten run of 14 races. His victories included the Royal Lodge Stakes, the Dewhurst Stakes, the Greenham Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes in both 2011 and 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, the Lockinge Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes, the International Stakes and the Champion Stakes.

Dream Peace has proved herself to be a very useful broodmare with a handful of successful progeny, including Soul Sister. Dream Peace clocked over £500,000 in prize money while racing in the USA, winning four of her 18 races, finishing second in three others and third on eight other occasions.

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 8 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

You might also like:

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

It’s almost time… here’s the full run down of this year’s Derby runners and riders: who is your pick?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Which horse will add its name to the illustrious list of Epsom Derby winners in 2025? Megastar colt City Of Troy silenced all his doubters with a commanding victory in the 2024 Betfred Derby. The colt provided trainer Aidan O’Brien with a record-extending 10th Derby triumph as he joined the illustrious list of Derby winners since Diomed the first running of the race in 1780.

Diomed was owned by Sir Charles Bunbury, who collected prize money of £1,065 15s. The race was held at the Oaks Estate and named after its host, the 12th Earl of Derby. The first four runnings of the Derby were over 1 mile, but this was amended to the current distance of 1½ miles in 1784. Lord Derby first won the race in 1787, with a horse called Sir Peter Teazle.

Epsom Derby winners list

1780: Diomed

1781: Young Eclipse

1782: Assassin

1783: Saltram

1784: Serjeant

1785: Aimwell

1786: Noble

1787: Sir Peter Teazle

1788: Sir Thomas

1789: Skyscraper

1790: Rhadamanthus

1791: Eager

1792: John Bull

1793: Waxy

1794: Daedalus

1795: Spread Eagle

1796: Didelot

1797: Colt by Fidget

1798: Sir Harry

1799: Archduke

1800: Champion

1801: Eleanor

1802: Tyrant

1803: Ditto

1804: Hannibal

1805: Cardinal Beaufort

1806: Paris

1807: Election

1808: Pan

1809: Pope

1810: Whalebone

1811: Phantom

1812: Octavius

1813: Smolensko

1814: Blucher

1815: Whisker

1816: Prince Leopold

1817: Azor

1818: Sam

1819: Tiresias

1820: Sailor

1821: Gustavus

1822: Moses

1823: Emilius

1824: Cedric

1825: Middleton

1826: Lap-dog

1827: Mameluke

1828: Cadland

1829: Frederick

1830: Priam

1831: Spaniel

1832: St. Giles

1833: Dangerous

1834: Plenipotentiary

1835: Mündig

1836: Bay Middleton

1837: Phosphorus

1838: Amato

1839: Bloomsbury

1840: Little Wonder

1841: Coronation

1842: Attila

1843: Cotherstone

1844: Orlando

1845: The Merry Monarch

1846: Pyrrhus The First

1847: Cossack

1848: Surplice

1849: The Flying Dutchman

1850: Voltigeur

1851: Teddington

1852: Daniel O’Rourke

1853: West Australian

1854: Andover

1855: Wild Dayrell

1856: Ellington

1857: Blink Bonny

1858: Beadsman

1859: Musjid

1860: Thormanby

1861: Kettledrum

1862: Caractacus

1863: Macaroni

1864: Blair Athol

1865: Gladiateur

1866: Lord Lyon

1867: Hermit

1868: Blue Gown

1869: Pretender

1870: Kingcraft

1871: Favonius

1872: Cremorne

1873: Doncaster

1874: George Frederick

1875: Galopin

1876: Kisber

1877: Silvio

1878: Sefton

1879: Sir Bevys

1880: Bend Or

1881: Iroquois

1882: Shotover

1883: St. Blaise

1884: (deadheat) Harvester and St. Gatien

1885: Melton

1886: Ormonde

1887: Merry Hampton

1888: Ayrshire

1889: Donovan

1890: Sainfoin

1891: Common

1892: Sir Hugo

1893: Isinglass

1894: Ladas

1895: Sir Visto

1896: Persimmon

1897: Galtee More

1898: Jeddah

1899: Flying Fox

1900: Diamond Jubilee

1901: Volodyovski

1902: Ard Patrick

1903: Rock Sand

1904: St. Amant

1905: Cicero

1906: Spearmint

1907: Orby

1908: Signorinetta

1909: Minoru

1910: Lemberg

1911: Sunstar

1912: Tagalie

1913: Aboyeur

1914: Durbar

1915: Pommern

1916: Fifinella

1917: Gay Crusader

1918: Gainsborough

1919: Grand Parade

1920: Spion Kop

1921: Humorist

1922: Captain Cuttle

1923: Papyrus

1924: Sansovino

1925: Manna

1926: Coronach

1927: Call Boy

1928: Felstead

1929: Trigo

1930: Blenheim

1931: Cameronian

1932: April the Fifth

1933: Hyperion

1934: Windsor Lad

1935: Bahram

1936: Mahmoud

1937: Mid-day Sun

1938: Bois Roussel

1939: Blue Peter

1940: Pont l’Eveque

1941: Owen Tudor

1942: Watling Street

1943: Straight Deal

1944: Ocean Swell

1945: Dante

1946: Airborne

1947: Pearl Diver

1948: My Love

1949: Nimbus

1950: Galcador

1951: Arctic Prince

1952: Tulyar

1953: Pinza

1954: Never Say Die

1955: Phil Drake

1956: Lavandin

1957: Crepello

1958: Hard Ridden

1959: Parthia

1960: St. Paddy

1961: Psidium

1962: Larkspur

1963: Relko

1964: Santa Claus

1965: Sea Bird

1966: Charlottown

1967: Royal Palace

1968: Sir Ivor

1969: Blakeney

1970: Nijinsky

1971: Mill Reef

1972: Roberto

1973: Morston

1974: Snow Knight

1975: Grundy

1976: Empery

1977: The Minstrel

1978: Shirley Heights

1979: Troy

1980: Henbit

1981: Shergar

1982: Golden Fleece

1983: Teenoso

1984: Secreto

1985: Slip Anchor

1986: Shahrastani

1987: Reference Point

1988: Kahyasi

1989: Nashwan

1990: Quest for Fame

1991: Generous

1992: Dr Devious

1993: Commander in Chief

1994: Erhaab

1995: Lammtarra

1996: Shaamit

1997: Benny the Dip

1998: High-Rise

1999: Oath

2000: Sinndar

2001: Galileo

2002: High Chaparral

2003: Kris Kin

2004: North Light

2005: Motivator

2006: Sir Percy

2007: Authorized

2008: New Approach

2009: Sea the Stars

2010: Workforce

2011: Pour Moi

2012: Camelot

2013: Ruler Of The World

2014: Australia

2015: Golden Horn

2016: Harzand

2017: Wings Of Eagles

2018: Masar

2019: Anthony Van Dyke

2020: Serpentine

2021: Adayar

2022: Desert Crown

2023: Auguste Rodin

2024: City of Troy

You may also be interested in…

Watch Derby favourite Desert Crown take his first steps as a foal

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top Irish trainer Jessica Harrington described horses as “the best therapy” through her breast cancer treatment as she looks ahead to The Derby with her second ever runner in the race.

Sprewell will carry the yard’s hopes in the iconic race at the Betfred-sponsored meeting next week (3 June). Jessica is likely to be watching from home as she continues her treatment and rehabilitation.

“It would be very special to win the Epsom Derby, it’s on the bucket list to get a tick! It’s great to go there with a horse that’s got a chance and it’s very exciting,” said the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer.

The 76-year-old, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022, spoke about the role horses have played through her treatment.

“Things are great and I’m lucky enough to have finished the worst part of it now that the chemo is done. We’re moving on to the next stage now and it’ll take a bit longer, but I hope that I’ll be out and about again very shortly,” she said.

“The horses really have been a massive help to me and I’m really lucky to have a massive support team here.

“My daughters Kate and Emma and my son-in-law have been around all winter keeping things going and I did my best to get out every single day that I could to look at the horses, because that was the best therapy I reckoned I had.

“I went racing last Friday to Leopardstown. I didn’t actually go on Sunday, but I go when it’s nice and near and when I can. I’d be most likely to watch the Derby from home, but I’ll see how I get on.”

Alpha Centauri delivered Jessica’s first Classic victory with her win in the 2018 Irish 1000 Guineas, and Magical Lagoon tasted glory in last year’s Irish Oaks. Her sole runner in The Derby so far was Gold Maze, who finished ninth in 2020.

Sprewell, by Churchill and out of Redback daughter Lahaleeb, and owned by Mohamed Khalid Mohamed Abdulrahim, has won his first two starts as a three-year-old, including the Derby Trial at Leopardstown (7 May).

“Nothing seems to faze him and I think going the mile and a half will suit him because I think he’ll settle well, which he has done in both of his races this year,” said Jessica.

“He’s a fine, big horse and we’ve been very lucky so far with the temperament he’s got. He’s very straightforward and each time he’s run he’s walked around the parade ring in a very relaxed manner. I know there will be much more hype and buzz at Epsom, but so far he’s been very good.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Who will be this year’s victor? Take a look back at Epsom Derby winners from 1780 to the present day

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

‘I was useless as a kid – today is a great day’: first Derby victory for British jockey and a poignant win for the trainer

Industry is measured by the care of its retired horses *H&H Plus*

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Jockey Club is seeking a High Court injunction to prevent protesters from disrupting the Derby Festival (2 to 3 June).

A statement from the Jockey Club said it has been “forced to take the decision because protesters from Animal Rising continue to make it ‘explicitly clear’ that they intend to breach security at the Surrey racecourse to stage a disruptive protest, which may compromise the safety of equine and human participants and all racegoers”.

The Jockey Club has offered the group a space outside the racecourse for peaceful and lawful protest on Derby day (3 June).

The organisation, which runs Epsom Downs racecourse, lodged the application yesterday (22 May), and a High Court hearing is scheduled for Friday (26 May).

If an injunction is granted, it would mean those breaching the court order could be held in contempt of court, which may lead to a fine and/or a prison sentence.

Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale said that in planning for the Derby Festival, the Jockey Club’s “number one priority” will always be to ensure that the safety of all equine and human participants, and the thousands of racegoers on Epsom Downs, “is not compromised”.

“We respect everyone’s right to peaceful and lawful protest and with that in mind have offered Animal Rising a space for this purpose directly outside the racecourse during the Derby Festival,” said Mr Truesdale.

“However, Animal Rising have made it explicitly clear that they intend to breach security and access the track itself in an attempt to stop racing taking place and it is our duty and obligation to do everything we can to protect everyone’s safety and prevent a repeat of the reckless protests we saw at Aintree in April.

“As such the decision to apply for an injunction is a course of action we have been forced to take and is the result of careful consideration following consultation with Surrey Police and a number of stakeholders.”

The injunction sought would prohibit individuals from entering the racetrack and carrying out other acts with the intention and/or effect of disrupting the races. For example, intentionally causing objects to enter the racetrack, entering the parade ring, entering and/or remaining on the horses’ route to the parade ring and to the racetrack without authorisation, and intentionally endangering any person at the racecourse during the festival.

“If successful, this [injunction] would be just one of a range of robust security measures we are implementing to ensure the event can go ahead safely,” said Mr Truesdale.

“We are proud to stage the Derby Festival and hope that the thousands of people who look forward to attending over the two days and the millions more watching at home and around the world are able to enjoy what is not only an important event for the sport but an iconic moment in the British summer and a celebration of the thoroughbred.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Desert Crown provided 33-year-old British jockey Richard Kingscote with his first Epsom Derby victory this afternoon (4 June).

Trained by Newmarket-based Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Saeed Suhail, the 5/2 favourite Desert Crown never looked like he was going to lose and ultimately won comfortably by two-and-a-half lengths.

“I can’t put it into words. When I was a kid, I was useless, but I’ve had a lot of support and thanks to Sir Michael and this horse, this has happened,” Richard said of his Epsom Derby result after the race. “Desert Crown has a huge amount of class – he jumped off well, travelled great, turned in really well and it all just went lovely. I took a pull in the straight as we were travelling so well.

“He is a lovely horse and it is a lovely gentleman who trains him – it’s a great day.”

This was a sixth Derby winner for Sir Michael Stoute, but it has been 12 years since his last victory in the British Classic, sponsored by Cazoo in 2022. It was a second Derby ride for Richard and his first ever ride was at Epsom Racecourse in 2004.

The crowd offered up three cheers to Sir Michael Stoute at the prize giving. He lost his partner Coral Pritchard-Gordon in August 2020 when she was 73 after a long illness, making this victory all the more poignant.

Outsider and 150/1 shot Hoo Ya Mal finished second under David Probert for trainer Andrew Balding and owner Ahmad Al Shaikh.

The possible hard luck story of the race was Westover, who finished third and just a head behind Hoo Ya Mal. The 25/1 shot was ridden by Rob Hornby, trained by Ralph Beckett and owned by Juddmonte.

“He settled beautifully for me and I was quite happy where I was at the top of the hill,” Rob said after the race. “Then I had the gap at the road but it closed faster than I could get into it. It’s frustrating as he’s a high class horse and he’s run well – I think I’d have given the winner a run for his money if I could have got into the gap.”

Epsom Derby 2022 result: winner’s breeding

Desert Crown is out of the Green Desert mare Desert Berry and by Nathaniel, whose progeny include the prolific Enable.

Prior to his victory at Epsom today, the three-year-old colt had a 100% strike rate, winning on his debut at Nottingham in November, his sole start as a two-year-old, and impressing in a stylish Dante victory at York in May.

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 9 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

You might also like:

‘I feel very privileged’: Aidan O’Brien becomes record-breaking trainer following Oaks victory at Epsom

Watch Derby favourite Desert Crown take his first steps as a foal

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Tuesday, the Aidan O’Brien-trained racehorse, owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg, just held on to win the Group One Cazoo Oaks on the first day of the Epsom Derby meeting today (3 June). They won by just a short head over second-placed Emily Upjohn, who went off the 6/4 favourite under Frankie Dettori, for trainers John and Thady Gosden.

Ryan Moore said after his Epsom Oaks result: “I always felt I was going to win. Tuesday is still a bit babyish – she came out of the stalls awkwardly and was further back than I wanted to be, but she put herself into the race. She’s got an awful lot of class and it’s amazing that her family keep producing results.”

Tuesday’s Epsom Oaks result came on her third birthday, making her a late foal compared to her fellow competitors, and therefore the result all the more impressive. This win was a record-breaking one too, as it meant Aidan O’Brien the trainer with the most British Classic winners to his name. O’Brien previously shared the record with John Scott, who saddled 40 Classic winners between 1827 and 1863. Aidan has now trained 41 British Classic winners, which includes 10 Oaks victories, 10 2,000 Guineas victories, eight Epsom Derby victories, seven 1,000 Guineas victories and six St Leger victories.

“Aidan is incredible – we always use those terms like ‘genius’ to describe him, but he goes into so much detail and we’ll probably never see another trainer like him again,” said Ryan.

“We are absolutely delighted,” said Aidan O’Brien after the 1m4f race. “She has never run any further than a mile but we thought the trip would suit her. Ryan gave her a lovely ride and I’d just delighted for everyone at home at Ballydoyle and Coolmore.”

Commenting on his new record, Aidan said: “It’s unbelievable to be part of the whole thing and I feel very privileged. Everyone puts in so much work day in and day out and it’s great that they can be rewarded with these results.”

The previously unbeaten and impressive Emily Upjohn didn’t have a good start, which possibly cost her the race under Frankie Dettori.

“She slipped and almost fell over at the start so I found myself last and had to pass the whole field,” a detected Frankie said after the race. “I wish I had the rail but I didn’t. It’s one of those things. She should have won.”

John Gosden, trainer of Emily Upjohn and the third-placed Nashwa (4-1), said: “She was badly left back in last and she had to circle the field.

 “They went an even pace but she has just lost it at the start – it is as simple as that.

“She has got a lot of ability to come from last and get there. It was a hell of a run. That is bad luck you can’t get left that far and circle the whole field. It is not her style of racing.”

Hollie Doyle, rider of the third-placed Nashwa, achieved the best finishing position ever for a female rider in a Classic. She said: “I’m disappointed she didn’t win, but I’m not disappointed with her performance at all. She ran a solid race and when she’s stepped back to 10 furlongs there will hopefully be big days ahead. I had a beautiful trip round – she settled well and in the end I was out-stayed. 

“I appreciate that it’s the best placing ever by a female rider in a Classic, but it doesn’t make a lot of difference to me. If I could ever win one though it would be amazing.”

2022 Epsom Oaks result: winner’s breeding

Tuesday is bred in the purple; by the prolific Galileo, who is also sire to the likes of Frankel, out of a Danehill Dancer mare called Lillie Langtry, who, as a two-year-old, was one of the best juvenile fillies in Ireland. She won three of her seven races including the Fillies’ Sprint Stakes, Debutante Stakes and Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 as well as finishing third in both the Albany Stakes and the Moyglare Stud Stakes. In 2010 she recorded her biggest wins when achieving Group One victories in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Lillie Langtry clocked almost £900,000 in prize money for the same connections as Tuesday. Lillie Langtry also produced the incredible filly, Minding, who is a full sister to Tuesday, and who is also owned by the same connections as Tuesday.

Minding was the 2016 European Horse of the Year and was among the leading two-year-old fillies of her generation in Europe in 2015 when she won three of her five races including the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland and the Fillies’ Mile in England. On her first appearance of 2016, Minding posted a decisive victory in the classic 1,000 Guineas but was subsequently beaten when favourite for the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She went on to win a second classic in The Oaks in June, the first filly to complete the Guineas-Oaks double since Kazzia in 2002. She went on to take her fifth and sixth Group One races with wins in the Pretty Polly Stakes and the Nassau Stakes. She then defeated male opposition to take the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. At the end of the year she was named Cartier Horse of the Year and the world’s best three-year-old filly. In total, she won £2,327,295 in prize money.

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 9 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

You might also like:

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

It’s almost time… here’s the full run down of this year’s Derby runners and riders: who is your pick?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The long game is proving fruitful for the breeders of Epsom Derby favourite Desert Crown, Strawberry Fields Stud.

On 2 March 2019, Desert Crown took his first steps (see video, above) – the result of 20 years of “getting it wrong and getting it right” in the puzzle that is breeding by stud owner Gary Robinson.

Gary’s approach is to focus on genealogy, creating families of top-class broodmares and offspring. Put simply, using quality and the right genetics over quantity to build a sustainable legacy of successful, healthy horses.

“I knew before he was even born [that he was special] as I do with all the horses I breed, because of the 20 years of trying to breed good horses,” Gary told H&H.

“He was a straightforward foal, the mother’s a good mother. She doesn’t like a lot of fuss and she’s the perfect mare. He was a standout foal, standout yearling, and so is all [of the dam’s] family.

“Now we’ve got lots of other bloodlines going on as well. But it just takes so long, you just need 20 years of getting it wrong and getting it right. And now, I think, we’ve got it right.”

Desert Crown, out of the Green Desert mare Desert Berry and by Nathaniel, whose progeny include the great Enable, will bid to become Sir Michael Stoute’s sixth winner of the Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse, as he celebrates his 50th year as a trainer.

The colt has a 100% strike rate, winning on his debut at Nottingham in November, his sole start as a two-year-old, and impressing in a stylish Dante victory at York in May.

Gary added that although he is excited to watch Desert Crown run on Saturday (4 June), the most important thing to him is the horse.

“It’s more important that he is a beautiful horse – a beautiful actioned horse – and of course he’s created the family,” said Gary, referring to the gilded association Desert Crown’s relations now have because of his achievements.

“My job’s done. I am excited. I’m excited for all the other people who have been involved with him. I know it sounds a bit like the Oscars, ‘I’d like to thank the mother, the dog, the cat, the fish’, but it is really about everybody because that’s what they go to work for every day, to be part of an end product that has got all those abilities.

“Even if he doesn’t win on Saturday, or he comes last, it doesn’t matter. We know, and I know, that he’s a wonderful horse. He will go on to be special.”

He credited Sir Michael (“a great trainer – the type of man who looks for soundness and balance”) and all those involved with the horse.

“I just love the animal,” he said, reflecting on what he loves about breeding horses. “The animal is an athlete, and if you see a true athlete in any sport, it’s beautiful, it stands out. That’s the buzz – to see something you’ve created that’s beautiful. I haven’t created it, nature has created it, but I’ve helped and it’s nice to see that you’re doing it properly.

“To breed a classic horse is real skill. I’m not saying it’s my skill, it’s everybody’s skill. Everybody has to be working towards that. And luckily I’ve got people who’ve got knowledge around me, because I still have to go to work to pay the bills!”

Gary previously owned Desert Berry’s dam Foreign Language, who he sold, and he bought Desert Berry as a foal.

“Everything she [Desert Berry] has produced have been really good horses,” he said.

“What I try to do is to keep the fillies – I did try to sell [her daughter] Rose Berry at one point because obviously, we’ve still got to sell horses, but the best thing that ever happened is that I kept her.”

The family legacy continues, and among the exciting relations is full-brother to Desert Crown, “Derby Dave”, who was born six weeks ago and is already showing character.

“He bit me this morning,” said Gary, with a laugh. “He’s beautiful, he’s like his brother – very, very similar. In fact, he looks a little bit stronger than his brother at this stage.”

Mental attitude is among the traits passed down the generations.

“They all walk well, but that’s not everything,” said Gary. “When you see a load of weanlings running around the field, you’ll see one who looks really slow at the back and then all of a sudden flies to the front when he or she wants to take charge. And that’s that sort of trait they have, they don’t look as though they are going to do anything and then all of a sudden they fly. They will also nonchalantly walk off and forget everybody, to tell you that ‘I can when I want’. They have a good mental attitude.”

He added that they tend to have longer backs, in proportion, giving them that long, smooth stride.

“Walking on eggshells, as my old partner would say,” he said.

He cites the unrelated With Love (by Territories, out of Thraya Star), fourth in a strong maiden at the Curragh on Irish 1,000 Guineas day, as another he hopes will help establish a “family” through her success on course.

“The idea is to have less mares, but mares that are producing something so that their genetics and their make-up are being transferred,” he said.Strawberry Fields Stud’s business development manager Nick Moore added that welfare of the horse is the first priority, in both breeding decisions and care on a day-to-day basis.

“What Gary has done is to actually do it properly, by looking for genealogy rather than just going down the commercial route,” said Nick.“It’s a really important message and something which I think we need to get across more and more because the commerciality, well that’s great, that gives you the end result. But it’s the welfare of the horse which is number one.”

He added that the care and expertise from Stuart Millar, Jodie Allen and Gabor Nadas at the stud (“they are proper horse people”) is a vital part of the picture.

“The horses are looked after properly. They’re doted upon, I think is the best way of putting it, and it does make a difference,” he said.

“Derby Dave is a right little character. He’s a bit nippy and he is quite a strong little lad, considering he’s only six weeks old. He’s quite an alert little chap. All the foals are particularly nice, but he really is a stand-out. On top of that Desert Berry is a beautiful mare, it’s extremely exciting.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Celebrating The Queen’s love of horses: Her Majesty’s retrained racing stars to parade at Epsom

Epsom Derby tickets are available now with an early-bird discount, plus details on watching for free

‘I was ready to end it all’: Derby-winning jockey reveals struggle with alcoholism in eye-opening ITV documentary

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

From showjumping and showing at the Royal Bath and West Show, to fierce competition among pony riders in Northumberland, here’s your lowdown on the week’s equestrian sport…

1. Royal Bath and West Show

Dates: 2-4 June

More info: bathandwest.com/royal-bath-and-west-show

Get the H&H lowdown: full report on all the showjumping action in next week’s issue of the magazine (in the shops 9 June) with showing highlights the following week (16 June)

Why we’re excited about it: the county show circuit is in full swing now and this show is always one of the highlights of the summer calendar. Over the three days you’ll find everything from grand prix jumping and an accumulator to showing classes, including 21 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) qualifiers, as well as an action-packed schedule of scurry driving, an inter-hunt relay, dog agility and Pony Club games.

2. The Cazoo Derby

Dates: 3-4 June

More info: thejockeyclub.co.uk/epsom/events-tickets/epsom-derby/

How to watch: ITV Friday 3 June 1.10 to 5pm (Oaks at 4.30pm), ITV Saturday 4 June 12.40 to 5pm (Derby at 4.30pm), The Opening Show is on ITV4 on Saturday 4 June 9-10am

Get the H&H lowdown: full coverage including exclusive insight from Marcus Armytage in next week’s issue of H&H (in the shops 9 June) with highlights and the latest news from the Derby at Epsom online.

Why we’re excited about it: the Derby is one of the greatest races in the world with a 243-year history and it’s been won by some of the legends of the sport – Lester Piggott, Willie Carson, Frankie Dettori and Sir Gordon Richards, on horses such as The Minstrel, Generous, Shergar and Galileo. Friday’s Oaks is the equivalent race for fillies and is equally exciting, headlining a thrilling supporting racecard across both days. This year’s meeting will also be celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, making this historic event even more special.

3. Belsay Horse Trials, Northumberland

Dates: 1-5 June

More info: schedule on British Eventing website

How to watch: the cross-country for the major classes on Friday will be streamed on Horse & Country

Get the H&H lowdown: highlights in the 16 June issue of the magazine

Why we’re excited about it: this is a destination event for junior and pony competitors, with both age groups vying for selection for their respective European Championships and pony riders angling to be national pony champion too. Meanwhile Belsay is also the first event in the Northumberland CCI2* Challenge. Sponsored by A.W. Jenkinson Forest Products, this challenge offers cash bonuses to pairs who can finish in the top three at two-star short level at Belsay, Alnwick Ford and Burgham, with £22,000 to any combination who can win all three events.

4. Midland Counties, Arena UK, Lincs

Dates: 4-5 June

More info: midlandcountiesshow.co.uk/

Get the H&H lowdown: full report in 16 June issue of H&H magagzine

Why we’re excited about it: two days of showing action held at the well-equipped Arena UK. HOYS qualifiers are on offer for horses and ponies across both days. There will be a hotly-contested HOYS supreme in-hand qualifier held on Saturday, where all the day’s in-hand champions will meet and vie for the ticket. The show has pitted this year’s fixture as extra special due to the jubilee celebration which will be celebrated in a unique way, including through the addition of 11 new jubilee supreme championships.

You might also be interested in:

William Fox-Pitt takes on new team trainer role: ‘I enjoy coaching and it’ll be exciting’

The next Mikey Pender? Four-year-old boy with an eye for sharp turns hopes to make waves in showjumping

HOYS-winning young rider provides former show pony with a new career in racing

‘The greatest of all time’: Lester Piggott dies aged 86

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Some of The Queen’s former racehorses will parade at Epsom on Cazoo Derby day (4 June) in honour of Her Majesty’s contribution to the sport.

The Queen is expected to attend Derby Day in person as part of the official Platinum Jubilee celebrations and a guard of honour of 40 jockeys, dressed in her famous colours, will greet her arrival.

Retraining of Racehorses has worked with the Jockey Club to arrange for five of Her Majesty’s retired racehorses will parade on the day, headed by Barbers Shop.

“We know The Queen is incredibly fond of all of her horses, whether they are racing or involved in other disciplines,” said Phil White, London regional director at the Jockey Club.

“This will be a great way to combine her passion for the thoroughbred with a chance to educate people about the work RoR does, and the lives racehorses live once their careers on the track have come to an end.”

Barbers Shop, now 20, was bred by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and won eight times for trainer Nicky Henderson. His accolades on the track included a listed chase win and placings in the King George VI and the Hennessy Gold Cup. He won multiple championship titles in his second career in the show ring with Katie Jerram-Hunnable, including Royal Windsor and Hickstead, before retiring from competition in 2018.

He will be joined by the five-year-old First Receiver, who is also based with Katie and enjoying his new career in the show ring. The New Approach gelding, bred by The Queen, was last seen on a racecourse at Royal Ascot 2020, when he finished second to Russian Emperor in the Hampton Court Stakes.

Three dressage converts also feature in the parade. Louise Robson is bringing Quadrille, who was also a runner-up in the Hampton Court Stakes and is now competing at prix st georges level, as well as Prince’s Trust and Forth Bridge.

RoR chief executive Di Arbuthnot said it is an “honour” for the charity and riders taking part to be involved in what they “hope will be a memorable day for Her Majesty”.

“I have seen at first hand the pleasure The Queen gets from seeing her former racehorses excel in a different discipline and the role her horses have played in helping promote the work of Retraining of Racehorses is immeasurable,” she added.

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

*Opinion* Love for the horse is our most powerful asset – we need to use it more

Why we must stop passing on the bill for racehorse aftercare

Life after racing: is it time to retire the term ‘retired’?

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

An eye-opening ITV documentary set to air next week (5 May) charts the story of three-time Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh, now a successful trainer in his native Ireland, who reveals his struggles with alcoholism during a glittering career in the saddle.

At his lowest point, the Irish champion Flat jockey admits he stood on a balcony after drinking heavily abroad and contemplated jumping: “I was ready to end it all,” he says starkly.

It’s a shocking revelation from one of the most charismatic members of the weighing room, but one he says he hopes will encourage others facing similar demons to seek help.

“I was hoping something like this would come along so I could tell my story,” says 51-year-old Johnny of the film that has been three years in the making. “I’d like to think someone will watch this and it might inspire them to reach out.”

Johnny won the Derby three times, in 2000 on Sinndar, 2002 on High Chaparral and 2005 on Motivator, as well as the Guineas and the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe before turning his hand to training. But away from the racecourse, Johnny’s alcoholism consumed him and he was sacked by trainer John Oxx early on in his riding career.

“After the event we’re all sorry, but you have to help these people before something happens to them,” he says. “The signs should be there.”

Johnny credits his “superwoman” wife Orla and a strong support network of friends for helping to turn his life around and he quit drinking 20 years ago. The mental health of those involved in racing is a subject much more openly discussed nowadays and Johnny hopes that telling his story may help any jockeys or their families in a similar situation to him.

“When I think back to that night [when he wanted to end it all], I wonder how could I have been thinking like that? Imagine all I would have missed,” he says. “My thinking was completely gone by then. So whether it’s a parent or someone you really trust, I’d hope they’d put a hand out and say ‘Listen, this is going on in my life…’

“In your mind you may have built it up to be so bad and often one big thing you can deal with, but it’s the five or six little things that bother you and make you go and do something stupid. So just speaking to someone might change their thinking from where they were to where they need to be.

“There are plenty of bad days [in racing] and it’s not a nice place to be sometimes, sitting at home afterwards.”

In the film, Johnny also talks about how selfish he had to be as a jockey and the dieting he endured, but he’s also seen cheerfully greeting all his staff in his new role as trainer at his Co. Kildare stables, where he’s sent out the winner of the Ebor, the Irish St Leger and the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s a whirlwind of positivity – his philosophy is “When you meet someone in the street, try to improve their day”.

“Every morning I go to the yard and I say to myself, there’s 21 people working for you and how you are with them, how you greet them, is how they’re going to perform for you in the next five hours of work. So I check myself every morning – be on top of your game, be upbeat, be positive, but don’t worry about the response you get, because maybe they’ve come from an argument with their wife or the kids didn’t sleep – you are the leader so it has to emanate from you. Treat everyone well,” says Johnny. “I like to be busy, stuck in the middle of things. If anyone says you can’t do something I’m on it straight away – I’d say that’s my biggest flaw, I just want to prove you wrong!

“I’ve been lucky – I’ve been around the world, I’ve seen a lot of great things, met great people and rode a lot of winners. The first time I ever saw a horse race was in 1981, a Wednesday, when my uncle and I went in to watch the Derby – Walter Swinburn riding Shergar. I was 11 and I remember seeing this 19-year-old winning the Derby on this super horse, so the Derby is special to me. I rode in the same colours many years later.

“[As a trainer] I just want to be competitive in Ireland and to bring our horses over and be competitive on the big stage in England.”

• Against the Odds – Johnny Murtagh: Creating Belief, supported by Coral, will be broadcast on Thursday 5 May at 9pm on ITV4 and Tuesday 10 May at 11pm on ITV. It will also be available on ITV Hub from 5 May.

You may also be interested in…

Young riders’ mental health comes into the spotlight

Why we must stop passing on the bill for racehorse aftercare

‘We hope to use our tragedy to help others’: suicide prevention trust launched in memory of Aintree chairman

‘We’ve said from the start that if we can help just one other family from the agony of suicide, then

New scheme to boost wellbeing through horse-human connection

Life after racing: is it time to retire the term ‘retired’?

Kim Bailey: Sam Waley-Cohen bows out with ‘a record that is the envy of most jockeys’

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Once better known for his exploits on the all-weather, Adam Kirby scored a win on only his second Derby ride. He tells Catherine Austen about that winning feeling, racing pigeons and his passion for starting youngsters

AS Adam Kirby rode Adayar into the winners’ enclosure at Epsom after the Derby, the expression on his face was more one of utter disbelief and shock than elation. Not only had the 32-year-old won the world’s most famous Flat race on just his second-ever ride in it, but he could also see his fellow jockeys lined up outside the weighing room, grinning, whistling and applauding.

This is a very rare sight in Flat racing. It indicates the level of respect accorded to him as a man and a horseman – and his peers’ recognition that consistent hard work can spark a slow-burning career into flame.

Adam may have ridden more than 1,800 winners in the 16 years he’s been a jockey, but only seven of those have been at Group One level. His was not a name known outside of the sport, but a Derby victory means headlines around the world.

“I was very surprised by that,” he admits. “You don’t see the lads coming out of the weighing room very often, which made it a lot more special. I’ve had no end of lovely messages and letters since. Lots of people have been happy about the way it turned out, which is a nice thing.”

What the modest and softly spoken man means by “the way it turned out” is the fact that two weeks before the race, Adam was called up for the high-profile ride on John Leeper, the colt trained by Ed Dunlop and named after his legendary Derby-winning father, John Leeper Dunlop. It was a big nod to how far Adam, never a particularly fashionable jockey, had succeeded in climbing his way up the ladder of the riding ranks.

However, three days before the Derby, the die was thrown again. Frankie Dettori was given the ride on John Leeper and, while Adam was snapped up by his supporter Charlie Appleby to ride what appeared to be Godolphin’s third-string in the race, Adayar, it seemed only to be a consolation prize.

What goes around comes around in racing; the champion jockey Oisin Murphy is then found himself without a Derby ride, as he was Charlie’s second choice for Adayar.

“I can’t thank Charlie enough,” Adam says. “His loyalty is unbelievable.”

Anyone who appreciated the intricacies of the situation found themselves shouting with delight when Adam held the Frankel colt, a 16/1 chance, tight to the rail as they flew round Tattenham Corner and then unleashed him with a beautiful, relentless charge down Epsom’s hill to the winning post.

“It’s a great feeling, being in front in the Derby, but when you hit the front you just want the post to come – you haven’t won it until you pass it,” he says.

Breeding champions

IT’S the day before Royal Ascot starts, and we’re sitting outside his house, a few miles outside Newmarket, in burning sunshine. Children’s toys litter the yard. His car door is open to reveal the bags and bags of pigeon food he’s just picked up from Mole Valley Farmers. A peal of canine noise betrays the existence of 60 greyhounds – trained by Adam’s mother – while horses of all shapes and sizes and lineage clip-clop past. There are broodmares, yearlings, a couple of hunters, a pony for Adam and his partner Megan’s children (Charlie, five, and Evie, three), a donkey, a ferret, some budgies…

The racing pigeons are a new addition.

“I’m fascinated by the pigeons,” says Adam with a smile. “A chap gave me a little ‘starter pack’ to breed a few of my own, and I’ve just bred a lot which will be the right age to start racing soon. So I have raced them a good few times and they still come home, so they must like it.

“Listen, it is a cheap hobby and it’s fun. It’s nice when you get home and they are already back. I’ve got some mates coming over with timers this week so we can time how long it takes them to fly around the world! I don’t know if I will breed any kind of champion, but you have to be in it to win it and it is certainly cheaper than breeding a Derby champion.”

Adam’s father, Maurice, bought Vicarage Farm in Kirtling, Cambridgeshire, when Adam was four years old.

“Mum’s horsey; Dad wasn’t really a rider, but when we got this place he could breed a few thoroughbreds. He bred a few nice ones, but it’s a money pit,” he says. “My brother and sister and I had a little pony called Timmy, and I was bombing around on him from the age of six.

“A guy called Malcolm Bryson kept his horse here and I used to go out with him; he was the one who got me started, really. And there was a girl, Stephanie Reed, who used to come here and break the horses in – she was also a massive help to get me going and taught me how to ride thoroughbreds. She took me to a few shows – I wasn’t very good at that. I used to take the wrong course a bit, probably talking when I should have been listening. I had a great childhood here, and never wanted for anything.”

Adam started riding out for trainer James Fanshawe when he was 12 – the year he left school.

“I suffer badly with dyslexia and hated school,” he explains. “I couldn’t concentrate. All I’d think about was messing around with ponies and tractors on the farm. I’d get upset with myself – being dyslexic doesn’t mean you are thick – I’m just good at things that I can focus on and bad at things I can’t – but I was rubbish at things I wasn’t interested in.

“However, racing actually helped as I would try to read the Racing Post and other things I was interested in. I think that is why I am more of an animal person than a people person.

“I just couldn’t handle school any more, and Mum and Dad were very good about it and home-educated me. I would like to think I never looked back. If I could do it all over again, I would do the same.

“I was tiny when I first rode a thoroughbred and was always run away with, but it was a hell of a buzz and there is no greater feeling than riding a decent horse.”

Turning professional

ADAM’S first ride as a professional when he was 16 was a winner – Broughton Knows for Gay Kelleway at Lingfield on 1 October 2004. At 5ft 11in, he is exceptionally tall for a Flat jockey, so he thought his nascent career might be short-lived.

“I was getting heavy quite quickly, so I thought I may as well enjoy it while I could. I thought about jumping – I like jump racing – but I’m into the Flat, really. I did have one ride, in a Flat jockeys’ jumps race at Lingfield, and came second, but I didn’t get as much of a buzz as I thought I would,” he says.

He has kept the weight off, however – at Epsom it appeared as though his cheekbones could poke out through his skin – and an association with the Lambourn trainer Clive Cox has been a happy and consistently successful one. Adam’s first Group One winner, Lethal Force in the 2013 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, was for Clive, as have all his top-level victories been until Adayar.

He gets his jumping kicks out hunting, however. When the former Flat jockey Eddie Ahern was in England, he regularly took Adam hunting with the “thrusting” packs.

“I used to have marvellous days following him,” says Adam with enthusiasm. “Sadly he has gone back to Ireland so I don’t get to go with him any more, which took the shine off hunting a little bit. It is nice to have a friend who is a bit go-ey to follow. I met some great people through hunting.”

His winters are already very busy with breaking in yearlings – in a load that came from Charlie Appleby two years ago was his very own future Derby winner, Adayar – and any young sport horses he’s sent. He’s keen to do more with the latter.

He says: “Ever since I have had my own money, I have bought a few and sold a few and messed about with all types of horses. I have a very good hunting mare in the field, best I’ve ever had; she’s just had a foal from a coloured sport horse. It’s come out red and white so I’m looking forward to having some fun with that.”

The breaking-in business is growing.

“I love to work with such quality [horses],” he says. “They aren’t hooligans; a top horse’s mindset is different. They learn first time. When you are going through that volume of horses, it’s quite obvious that I can’t break them all in myself, but they are broken as I would like them to be and it is a big team effort. Hopefully it is going the right way and will start to really kick on. It would be nice to be able to promise the staff, who are good riders and loyal, a full volume of horses all year round.”

‘I understand horses’

ADAM admits that he finds horses easier than people. Pressed to explain why, he says: “I understand horses. For instance, a young one that is thinking about doing something naughty, I can see him thinking about doing it and so can act accordingly. You can correct things quickly; I get how they think.”

It’s too early to know whether winning the Derby will change Adam Kirby’s life, but he doesn’t really care. He just wants to work with nice horses. And if you’ve got a young one at home that needs breaking in or educating, no matter what its parentage may be, he’d love you to send it to Vicarage Farm.

.

This exclusive feature is also available in this Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine, on sale 1 July 2021

You may also be interested in…

H&H analysis: ‘Ascot was rocking once again’ – the full 2021 Royal Ascot report *H&H Plus*

Small family team enjoy dream victory on day one of Royal Ascot

“We’ve dreamt about these days for so long – to land a Royal Ascot Group One for a yard of

‘It’s the Derby and it’s incredible’: unexpected result at Epsom shines light on hard-working British jockey

Find out who was the Epsom Derby 2021 winner

Two jockeys with a combined age of 104 win two British Classics in the same weekend *H&H Plus*

Top jumps trainer Henry de Bromhead: ‘The past few weeks have been unbelievable – it’s what you dream of’ *H&H Plus*

Adayar provided hard-working, experienced British jockey Adam Kirby with his first British Classic success when claiming the 2021 Cazoo Derby today (5 June) at Epsom.

It was a landmark win for the legendary Frankel, the sire of this horse, as Adayar quickened up to the line to claim victory by four-and-a-half lengths for trainer Charlie Appleby and owner, Godolphin.

“I went a bit weak half a furlong out. My mother will be watching — she’ll be happy and that made me a bit sad for a second,” said Adam of his 16/1 shot after the race. “Racing is swings and roundabouts, but Charlie Appleby is a top man — I can’t thank him enough. He is a true gent and a great trainer. Thanks to them for putting me on this lad — it’s the Derby and it’s incredible.”

Epsom Derby 2021 winner

Adayar, who is out of a Dubawi mare and was bred by Godolphin, was drawn in stall one and to win the Epsom Derby from there is a rare achievement. The field went a strong gallop, but Adam had his horse on the rail, going the shortest route throughout the race. The colt was brave to take a gap up the inner on the home straight and quickened up well to power home ahead of 50/1 shot Mojo Star.

Adayar was the second string for Godolphin, with Hurricane Lane, who finished eventual third under William Buick, going off strongest in the betting for connections.

“Thank you to team Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed — I couldn’t be happier,” said a delighted Charlie Appleby post-race. “I thought this horse was more of a St Leger type, but Sheikh Mohammed said ‘run him — he’s a horse for the Derby’ and he was right. Adam gave him a fantastic ride and days like this are magical days. He’s a scopey horse and only time will benefit him even more — he’s a lovely horse to have around.”

Bolshoi Ballet, who went off favourite at 11/8 under Ryan Moore for Oaks’ winning trainer, Aidan O’Brien, finished seventh.

Continued below…

‘Like a knife through butter’: Frankie Dettori collects 21st Classic in the Oaks at Epsom

Find out how this Classic race unfolded this afternoon (4 June)

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 10 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Frankie Dettori and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Snowfall, owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, destroyed her rivals to win the Cazoo Oaks by an incredible 16 lengths on the first day of the Epsom Derby meeting (4 June).

“I’ve never ridden a Classic winner as easy as this one,” said 50-year-old Frankie. “They went far too quickly and I had everything beat on the home straight. I was afraid of [favourite] Santa Barbara, but as soon as I saw daylight in front of me, I thought ‘I’m going now’ and she took off — she went like a knife through butter.”

This victory sees Frankie equal the legendary Fred Archer’s record 21-strong tally of Classic wins. It was a 40th British Classic victory for Aidan O’Brien, plus a ninth Oaks win for the trainer.

“We thought Snowfall was very good last year and we kept running her in Group Ones, but she kept disappointing — maybe she got stronger and better over the winter,” said Aidan. “David, Jamie and Wayne, who look after her and ride Snowfall, were all very happy with her coming into this race and the way she’s won is unbelievable really. Frankie gave her a very good ride and she looks like a very special filly.”

The winning margin was a record for the Oaks, beating the previous best of 12 lengths by Sun Princess in 1983. The biggest winning margin in any British Classic is 20 lengths, recorded in the 1,000 Guineas in 1859.

Mystery Angel, a 50/1 outsider owned by Nick Bradley Racing 27 & Partner, finished second under Ben Curtis for young trainer George Boughey, while another Aidan O’Brien runner, Divinely, was third under Seamie Heffernan.

The favourite, Santa Barbara, finished in eventual fifth under Ryan Moore — she was held up in the rear of the field and never made an impression.

2021 Epsom Oaks winner’s breeding

Snowball is bred in the purple; by Deep Impact, out of a Galileo mare called Best In The World, who is a sister of Found. Found clocked over £5m in prize money for the same connections as Snowball, including winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2016, plus the 2015 Breeders’ Cup.

It’s almost time… here’s the full run down of this year’s Derby runners and riders: who is your pick?

How to watch The Epsom Derby live from anywhere in the world

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Read the full report from the Derby meeting in the 10 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

This week marks 50 years since Mill Reef won the Derby, during a spectacular Classic campaign. Kate Johnson charts the career and astonishing survival of the “little horse with a big heart”

“HE was a life-changer for all of us,” says Emma, wife of trainer Ian Balding. “He was the most perfect horse, small of stature and big of heart, and his owner was one of the finest men you’d ever meet.”

She could only be talking about the record-breaking Mill Reef and his owner and breeder American billionaire philanthropist Paul Mellon. Mill Reef arrived in Britain as a yearling in 1969 from Paul’s Rokeby Estate in Virginia to Ian Balding’s Kingsclere training yard, and lit up Flat racing as a two-, three- and four-year-old, until injury nearly ended his life.

It was love at first sight for his groom, John Hallum, dispatched by Ian to collect the bay colt from the airport. John later recalled: “There was Mill Reef and there were three or four great big giant horses. I saw this little pony covered in paddock scars, and I thought, ‘This will do me,’ and that was it.”

Named after the Antigua club where Paul Mellon kept a holiday home, Mill Reef wasted no time in displaying what Emma calls his “electric turn of foot”. Watching the gallops at Kingsclere one morning in February 1970, Ian told John to quicken by half a stride. Mill Reef stretched effortlessly away, leaving his stablemates 20 lengths behind and struggling. Ian berated John afterwards for not sticking to the orders.

“I will always remember his reply,” Ian wrote in his memoir Making the Running, “Guv’nor, I was only cantering.”

Mill Reef’s startling debut as a two-year-old at Salisbury the same year saw him cruise past Lester Piggott on favourite Fireside Chat. His jockey, Geoff Lewis, who partnered him in every race, sat motionless and later recalled: “He flew out of the gate first out and I was five in front before you knew it.”

He raced five more times that year, barely off the bridle, including the Coventry Stakes at Ascot which he won by six lengths, and the Gimcrack Stakes at York in heavy going after a torrential night, by 10 lengths. Always in his trademark sheepskin noseband, and the striking black and gold colours, he lost just once (after a difficult journey) in the Prix Robert Papin at Maision-Lafitte to the similarly brilliant My Swallow.

IT was his campaign as a three-year-old that set the world alight. He won the Greenham Stakes at Newbury before suffering the second and final loss of his career to Brigadier Gerard, probably the greatest miler ever, in the 2000 Guineas on 1 May 1971.

Come Derby Day a month later, a nervous Ian, Emma and her mother were driving to Epsom when they got stuck in traffic. Time ticked agonisingly by until there was nothing else for it; Ian leapt out of the car and jogged, in top hat and tails, two miles to the course. He made it (as did his family) and they watched enthralled as Mill Reef beat Linden Tree by two lengths.

Paul Mellon, who had flown in from America, was ecstatic (Emma remembers “how much pleasure he always took in this horse”), and Ian was euphoric but – more than that – relieved. It wasn’t until they returned to Kingsclere that the monumental achievement sank in.

Emma says: “I think my favourite memory was the day after the Derby. He was led out for the people in the village to come and see him and he just lapped it up. He knew they’d just come to see him, he just stood there, the big I am.”

His groom John agrees: “He loved humans and being the centre of attention”.

“You dread them losing their crown,” says Emma, but there was nothing to fear with an owner not frightened to keep testing this exceptional thoroughbred. He cruised from strength to strength, with victory in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before heading to France in October for the Arc.

His balance was so spectacular that at a pre-race gallop in very soft ground, he barely left a mark in the mud. In Lord Oaksey’s book The Story of Mill Reef, he quoted Ian Balding remarking, “It was as though a ghost had galloped by.”

He went on to beat the French star Pistol Packer on her home turf in front of thrilled crowds sporting Mill Reefs’ colours. Ian later said it was the best day of his training life.

Paul Mellon kept Mill Reef in training as a four-year-old and in April 1972 he returned to France to win the Prix Ganay, but when he won the Coronation Cup at Epsom by “only” a neck, something was clearly wrong. He was suffering from a virus and his much heralded rematch with Brigadier Gerard was postponed.

He recovered, but then exercising on the gallops, came what Emma calls, “the worst morning ever”. She says, “Ian came in white as a sheet and said, ‘Mill Reef’s broken his leg’.”

When Ian made the call that no one ever wants to make – or receive – to tell Paul the desperate news, his immediate response was, “How is poor John?” – quite the mark of a man.

As much as the team around Mill Reef was intimate – one groom, one trainer, one jockey, one owner – he was also a superstar, and as such public property. Emma remembers that it was “the first experience any of us had of a racing story going onto the front pages of the national papers; people were camping on the verge outside the yard waiting for news”.

After consultation it was decided to operate on Mill Reef’s shattered cannon bone at Kingsclere. Veterinary surgeon Edwin James Roberts (Jim) kept him only lightly under anaesthetic for the seven-hour operation fitting pins, plates and screws into his leg, and adding a cast from hoof to shoulder, observed by Ian. It was absolutely pioneering.

When Jim said, “He’s going to be all right,” it meant more to John Hallum than any of the glory days.

WHAT set Mill Reef apart was a mixture of fluid movement – his gait was neither overly economical or extravagant – and supreme athleticism. There was no distance, and no ground, he couldn’t win on – in fact, Ian had remarked, “The further he went, the faster he went.” His temperament also set him apart. His breeding hadn’t indicated this would be a given, but as John says, “despite showing a few signs of temper”, he went the right way.

Emma concurs: “He had a bit of attitude but it didn’t get in the way of his brilliance.”

At an event at the National Stud to commemorate what would have been Mill Reef’s 50th birthday, Ian told the crowd: “He had the most wonderful temperament and was an absolute delight. I can’t remember a thoroughbred colt being so gentle and sensible”.

It may have been this temperament that saved him. Ian recalled that when he broke his leg, he stood calmly grazing while waiting for the horsebox, and then brilliantly managed to leap into the box on three legs. Thanks to devoted care, he recovered mentally and physically from months of box rest, and being taught how to walk – slowly – in a cast.

In another generous gesture, Paul Mellon kept him in England, rather than a more lucrative return to stud in America, and the day came when he left Kingsclere for the last time to start a new career at the National Stud in Newmarket.

For Emma, it was relief that he had survived to be able to go anywhere and for John, a bittersweet goodbye. He visited Mill Reef six months later at stud. George Roth the stallion man gave John permission to go into the field with him which no one else was allowed to do. He whistled for him and he immediately pricked his ears and came straight across to him.

Jim Roberts did not send a bill until Mill Reef’s first mares were in foal. The bill read, “For saving Mill Reef’s life: £25,000.” That’s about £300,000 in today’s money. Ian was outraged and called Paul Mellon who yet again showed his generosity and said, “Pay it.”

MILL REEF went on to sire Group One winners and two Derby winners, and died aged 18 in 1986. A life-size statue commemorates him at the National Stud, at Kingsclere and at Rokeby Estate. There is a permanent exhibition about him, including his X-rays, at the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket.

Alexandra Fletcher, its packard curator, says Mill Reef’s impact is significant.

“He showed you don’t write horses off; he went on to sire winners,” she says. “He changed attitudes to how we see racehorses; you measure a horse’s life in decades. He proved you can come back from injury. He exemplifies the triumph of hope over adversity.

“I admire the leap of faith the trainer, stable staff and owner took; they were all going to invest in this and not cause further distress, they were going to improve the horse’s life and there would be a further point to that life. For me that’s an inspiring message of hope and commitment and giving back to a horse that has given his all.”

“Watching him race made the hair on my neck stand up”

BROADCASTER and author Brough Scott knew Mill Reef well (“very sweet, but he wasn’t a pet”) as he filmed a documentary about him. Watching him race “made the hair on my neck stand up… in a race you play your best card last and Mill Reef extended the distance between him and the second horse in the last 100 yards. He ran through the line.”

The final scene of the film shows groom John Hallum saying goodbye and walking away, alone, as Albert Finney voices Hugh McIlvanney’s words: “that Mill Reef… he was something to brighten the morning”.

Statistics

BORN on 23 February 1968, Mill Reef died on 2 February 1986 and is buried at Newmarket’s National Stud.

His 14 races (two seconds and 12 wins) included breaking the Sandown Park track record in the Eclipse Stakes, winning the Derby, the King George at Ascot by six lengths and being the first British winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for 23 years.

His record of six consecutive Group One victories lasted for 30 years until Rock Of Gibraltar won seven in 2002. His winnings equated to £4m today.

He sired multiple Group One winners and two Derby victors: the 1978 winner Shirley Heights (who sired the 1985 winner Slip Anchor) and the 1987 winner Reference Point (pictured, yellow silks).

Breeding

BRED by lifelong horseman Paul Mellon (pictured with Mill Reef), who established the 4,000-acre estate, Rokeby Stables, in Virginia in the 1940s. Mill Reef was sired by Never Bend, and was the second foal out of Milan Mill. She, like her famous son, spent seven months with her injured leg in plaster as a foal. She raced only once.

Paul Mellon once said: “Over the years, I’ve bred some very good horses, but a hundred years from now, the only place my name will turn up anywhere will be in the stud book, for I was the breeder of Mill Reef.”

You may also be interested in…

Relive 5 of the greatest Derby moments

Ahead of this week’s Cazoo Derby (5 June 2021), we pick out five of the greatest winners of the Epsom

New rule for horses to have scans before major race raises questions *H&H Plus*

Top jumps trainer Henry de Bromhead: ‘The past few weeks have been unbelievable – it’s what you dream of’ *H&H Plus*

4.30am starts, 40,000 steps a day and the ‘best time of my life’: Henry de Bromhead’s travelling head lass reflects on a ‘crazy’ few weeks

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Ahead of this week’s Cazoo Derby (5 June 2021), we pick out five of the greatest winners of the Epsom Classic. From Nijinsky to Mill Reef, it’s always a race to savour. Here are some of the greatest Derby moments from the archives…

1. Mill Reef – 1971

Our first pick of the greatest Derby moments is when the Ian Balding-trained colt soars round Tattenham Corner before jockey Geoff Lewis makes an easy push for the winning post and a two-length victory over Linden Tree. One of the most sublime Derby victories you’ll ever see. Mill Reef, owned by Paul Mellon, went on to win the Eclipse Stakes, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe before being retired to stud after making an incredible recovery from a shattered cannon bone.

2. Galileo – 2001

The ease with which this outstanding colt powers away from the field is breathtaking. The Aidan O’Brien-trained runner went off the 11/4 joint-favourite and, two furlongs out, victory is in the bag. Jockey Mick Kinane eases him down before the line to register a three-and-a -half-length winning margin, going on to describe the son of Sadler’s Wells as the best he had ridden. The colt’s impressive achievements on the track went on to surpassed by his incredible achievements in the breeding sheds as a sire.

3. Nijinsky – 1970

Such was the brilliance of Nijinsky, he remains the only horse in the past 80 years to win the Triple Crown — the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger. Trained by Vincent O’Brien, the colt shows the ultimate battling qualifies under a drive by Lester Piggott to triumph by two and a half lengths at Epsom.

4. Shergar – 1981

Unfortunately now best remembered for being kidnapped from the Ballymany Stud in Ireland in 1983, never to be seen again, but there’s no denying that a 10-length victory in any race, let alone the Derby, is a rare and impressive feat. The colt, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by a 19-year-old Walter Swinburn, went off odds-on favourite and simply annihilated the opposition.

Continued below…

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

11 gravity-defying racing recoveries

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

5. Nashwan – 1989

Nashwan in full flight is a sight to behold. The chestnut’s huge stride and some adept manoeuvering by Willie Carson takes them powering to the front of the field, giving the jockey his third win in the race. The pair finished five lengths clear of 500-1 shot Terimon, completing the Guineas-Derby double.

Don’t miss the full report from the Derby in the 10 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) supreme in-hand championship has a new title sponsor and a new name for 2021 and beyond.

The Price Family will sponsor the coveted championship, formerly sponsored by Cuddy, for the next three years.

The family, which has sponsored classes at HOYS for the last five years, adds the championship to its collection of supported classes.

“Horse of the Year Show is a very special occasion for the Price family, and we have been lucky enough to have some amazing experiences as competitors and sponsors over the years,” said Darren Price.

“We really want to continue to support and endorse HOYS, so we were excited when the opportunity arose to sponsor the supreme in–hand championship.

“We will do this alongside our continued sponsorship of the mini show pony of the year championship, both classes work well together with the aim of supporting and encouraging our breeders and developing our young jockeys to continue in our great sport.”

HOYS confirmed this week that it intends to go ahead as planned at the NEC this year.

Event director Emma Williams added: “On behalf of Horse of the Year Show, we would like to thank the Price family for their continued support of the event. It is paramount for the continuation and success of the event that we have the backing of families like them within the showing community.

“We are delighted to continue working alongside the Price family in support of both of these prestigious championships.”

Meanwhile, Ayrshire-based Hamilton Tarmac will take on title sponsorship of the small show hunter of the year championship.

This is one of HOYS’ longest-standing classes and was first held in 1954. The class will be named the Hamilton Tarmac Small Show Hunter Championship.

Morean Hamilton said it was a “natural stop” for the company, which is a keen supporter of HOYS.

“As regular attendees at the show, it seemed the natural step, in these difficult times, to pledge our support of HOYS by offering our sponsorship,” she said. “My husband and I are delighted to be associated with a show that means so much, to so many.”

Ms Williams added: “We are delighted to welcome Morean Hamilton and the team as new sponsors, they have been wonderful supporters of the show as competitors and to see this relationship develop into class sponsors is a transition that we are extremely grateful for.

“The small show hunter championships is a fantastic class steeped in history and tradition; always a favourite at Horse of the Year Show we cannot wait to welcome competitors into the arena once again to contest the championship.”

NAF

Top showing producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable and former England footballer Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables have both signed partnership deals with NAF.

Katie has spent much time working with the NAF team to select the right supplements to support each of her horses.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have forged an official partnership with a brand as established and trusted as NAF,” said Katie. “I truly believe in the products that they produce and it is exciting to be working with their entire team.

“We have a variety of different horses on the yard, each of whom has different requirements. The depth and strength of the NAF range, along with their expert advice, means that we have been able to select the right supplements for each horse, ensuring that they are happy, healthy and ready to perform.”

Isla Boxall-Loomes, advertising, social and PR manager at NAF, added: “The name Katie Jerram-Hunnable is synonymous with showing and we are delighted to be in the position of announcing this official partnership with such a renowned rider and producer.

“With the horses now established on the supplements that have been selected for them, we are looking forward to seeing the results. We are all excited for the competitive calendar to get under way and we look forward to following Katie and her horses throughout the remainder of the year and celebrating the successes that are yet to come.”

NAF Racing has welcomed Manor House Stables, the Flat racing yard owned by Michael Owen and business partner Andrew Black that is home to trainer Tom Dascombe, to its rosta.

The NAF Racing range incorporates products specifically targeted for racehorses, recognising that their needs differ to other equine athletes.

Michael said: “As a former elite sportsman, I am fully aware of the fine margins that can be the difference between success and failure. In the same way that footballers need to get the right nutritional balance between fuel and hydration for optimum performance, it’s important that horses get the right balance too.

“This is why I am delighted to welcome NAF on board as a main sponsor at Manor House Stables. With over 30 years’ experience, they are leaders in their field and I look forward to a successful partnership both on and off the track.”

NAF Racing manager Sammy Martin added: “I am thrilled that we are in the position of being able to announce an official partnership with Manor House Stables. They are focused on ensuring that each and every horse receives the five-star care and support that they require from the day that they arrive on the yard as a youngster all the way through to their first visit to a racecourse and beyond.

“The hands-on approach adopted by both ourselves and the entire team at the yard will of course be critical to the success of the partnership and we are truly excited to follow the progress of all of the horses whilst being available to share our knowledge and help the horses deliver every time.”

NAF has also renewed its sponsorship deal with Hartpury and will be headline sponsor of the Gloucestershire venue’s 2021 Festival of Dressage, Showjumping Spectacular, and international horse trials. Each event will once again be prefixed with the NAF Five Star brand.

This summer also marks the 10th anniversary of the brand’s involvement with Hartpury International Horse Trials.

“With the disappointment of cancelled events throughout 2020 we are delighted to be celebrating both the return to sport in 2021 alongside our 10th year of support of the NAF Five Star International Hartpury Horse Trials,” said NAF sponsorship and events manager, Eloise Chugg-Martin.

“During that time, we’ve seen Hartpury evolve and expand into the Hartpury University and Hartpury College we know today. Adding both the Festival of Dressage and Showjumping Spectacular to our portfolio in 2020, we are proud to be fully supporting equestrian sport throughout all major events on the Hartpury calendar.”

Cazoo

The leading online UK car retailer has been revealed as the main sponsor of the Derby Festival (4-5 June).

The Cazoo Derby Festival, Epsom, features two Classics — the Cazoo Oaks on the first day and the Cazoo Derby on day two. All races will be shown live on ITV Racing.

The multi-year partnership includes naming rights, brand exposure and exclusive naming of eight races during the festival. In addition, Cazoo will also be given “significant” year-round exposure and branding rights at all of the Jockey Club’s 15 racecourses.

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Cazoo Derby Festival, one of the biggest events in horseracing,” said Alex Chesterman, Cazoo founder and chief executive.

“As the second biggest spectator sport in Britain, we look forward to engaging with racing fans around the country through this extensive partnership with the Jockey Club and to delivering the best car-buying experience to horseracing fans across the country.”

Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale, added: “Cazoo is a highly ambitious and successful growth brand that matches our ambitions for the future of the world’s most famous Flat race.

“You cannot overstate the importance of the Cazoo Derby to our sport globally and it’s vital we work with a partner passionate about bringing that to life in the years ahead. I’m delighted to welcome the Cazoo team to the Jockey Club and horseracing as a sport.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

How to keep (and lose) a sponsor

Calls for riders to work smarter to help sponsors *H&H Plus*

Martin Collins

The arena surface provider has resurfaced two arenas at a Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre to help the group struggling with the effects of lockdown.

The indoor and outdoor arena surfaces at Penniwells RDA, which had been in place for more than 20 years, started to deteriorate during lockdown.

The group had no income, owing to Covid, and no funds to replace these, so contacted Martin Collins to see what the company could do.

General manager Nicholas Collins visited the branch and saw the impact Covid was having. He decided to resurface the arenas and also made a donation to the group to help them through the pandemic.

“Without the support of Martin Collins we would have really struggled to have good surfaces again,” said Penniwells RDA centre manager, Sarah Healing.

“They have both been topped up and levelled out and are riding as if brand new. The horses are going so much better and we ride confidently on them without having to worry about avoiding any areas. We will be for ever grateful to Martin Collins and promise to look after them the very best we can, hoping they will last for the next 20 years as before!

“Their generosity came at a time we needed it the most.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

This month’s Derby-winning jockey tells Catherine Austen how he landed the odds on his Epsom debut, and why he’s in no rush to pursue his accountancy career just yet

While the equine heroes of Derby Day at Epsom were Serpentine and Love, the magnificent chestnut son and daughter of Galileo who gave trainer Aidan O’Brien an eighth win in both the Derby and the Oaks, the undoubted human star was Emmet McNamara.

The 30-year-old gave 25-1 chance Serpentine a brilliantly bold, front-running ride to capture Flat racing’s most illustrious prize by 5½ lengths. As the assembled journalists frantically Googled him before the press conference, they discovered that not only was it his first ride in the Derby, it was also his first ride at Epsom, his first Group One – let alone Classic – success, and his first winner of any sort since October last year.

Emmet may have been an unfamiliar face to the British press, but, speaking with humour, honesty and intelligence about the race and his position at Ballydoyle, he isn’t one we’ll forget.

“I’ve been saving myself,” he said, with a sideways smile, when asked about those winnerless months.

More Googling reveals a LinkedIn page – how many jockeys have those? – a first-class honours degree in accounting and finance, and three out of four of his professional accountancy exams. There’s more to this man than a pair of chiseled cheekbones and ability in the saddle.

A different perception

When we speak, he is back at home in Tipperary on day two of the 14-day quarantine period he has to undergo after riding in England and France.

“I’d have taken 14 months’ quarantine for this,” he laughs. “I’m no better rider this week than last week, but winning the Derby changes how people perceive you. Whereas people might have labelled me as ‘Emmet McNamara, former champion apprentice’, or ‘Group Two-winning jockey’, now I’ll always be ‘Derby-winning jockey’.”

Emmet is part of a small band of jockeys who essentially form the second string at Ballydoyle. Ryan Moore and Seamie Heffernan ride the most fancied horses, while Emmet, Padraig Beggy – who got his own blast of Epsom glory when Wings Of Eagles won the 2017 Derby at 40-1 – Michael Hussey and a couple of others get their chances when Aidan has multiple runners. He rides out at Ballydoyle 13 mornings out of 14 and is a cog in that extremely well-oiled mega-machine.

He explains: “When you are coming up through the ranks in racing, you are always dreaming of these top races and think winning them is possible. It’s only when you actually start riding against the best jockeys you realise just how hard it is. Whatever ability you have, if you don’t get on the horses, you’ve no chance. I was lucky – there are a thousand lads in that weighing room more talented than me, but they didn’t ride Serpentine in the Derby.”

Racing in the blood

Emmet’s father Eric is a popular jumps trainer in Co Limerick, and race-riding was always Emmet’s focus. Aged 11, he started pony racing, and was national champion in 2004 and 2005. He rode 166 winners – a record-breaking 65 in the 2005 season. After a year to concentrate on his Leaving Certificate at school, he began riding on the Flat under Rules. He joined Ger Lyons’ yard in 2008, and became champion apprentice in his first full season.

He spent the majority of the next six years riding for Ger, with short spells in England with Ralph Beckett and in Australia with Gai Waterhouse. A struggle with his weight led to a season and a half as a jump jockey, but his heart always lay with the Flat and, once his weight was under control again, he went back.

“Ger was very loyal to me for the time I was there – almost a second dad,” says Emmet.

However, when Ger appointed Colin Keane as his stable jockey in 2014, Emmet decided to look elsewhere. “I asked Joseph [O’Brien] one day if he thought there might be a job for me at Ballydoyle,” Emmet says.

He went and rode out at the Tipperary powerhouse one Sunday morning, and Aidan offered him a job. With Ger’s blessing and good wishes, he took it, and has now been a permanent part of the team for six years.

He emphasises the impeccably high standards of horsemanship and horsemastership at Ballydoyle.

“All the jobs are done by the very best people, be they the work riders, farriers, the groundstaff, the vets, the accountants,” he says. “It is a fantastic place to work. There are never any raised voices. All Aidan asks is that everyone tries their best.”

He elaborates: “There are very, very few top riding jobs in Ireland. You could be a busy fool flying round all over the place trying to pick up spare rides with very little chance. I’m very happy with the position I have at Ballydoyle and I will stay there as long as Aidan O’Brien wants me. I suppose it means you focus on quality, rather than quantity, but it suits me.”

Talent away from the saddle

What about the accountancy degree, however? Is that an indication that he is looking beyond the saddle?

He is keen to refute this, saying: “It might look as though I have some masterplan to get out of racing and go and work in an office, but that wasn’t actually the case. It was more that, once I had finished riding out in the mornings, if I wasn’t racing I didn’t have a whole pile else to do. I wasn’t that bad at school, and it was something I could do in the evenings to fill my time in a constructive manner. There was no grand plan to take the finance and accounting world by storm. As things stand, I have a good job, I’m not looking for another one.”

He certainly has no ambitions to take over his father’s training licence: “I couldn’t think of anything worse.” He is the eldest of four children – and they, and his wider family, got “a huge kick” out of his Derby win, and no one more so than his proud father Eric who, Emmet admits, rang him “probably 40 times” in the 24 hours before the Derby.

Serpentine, whose sire won the 2001 Derby and whose dam, Remember When, was second in the 2010 Oaks, only won his maiden a week before Epsom.

“But Aidan filled me with confidence beforehand,” says Emmet. “He told me that, if things went his way, he was one horse who could win the Derby. I believed him, because if that man tells you something about a horse, you’d believe him. You’d believe him if he told you the sky was green.”

The race itself went like a dream. Emmet says: “I don’t think I stole a march on them early in the race – they were up behind me at halfway. It was in the second half of the race where he really stamped his authority. ‘You stole it’ doesn’t wash with me; he galloped them into submission, rather. When we turned down the hill and I gave him a little squeeze, he took on the downhill run, whereas maybe some of the others didn’t take it on with as much gusto and bravery. He attacked it, which is testament to his balance and his genuineness.”

It seems likely that, when the Ballydoyle riding dice are shaken, Emmet will get the chance of a few more sixes. But if he doesn’t, his brain, temperament and talent will surely mean he achieves something, somewhere, and it will be interesting to see what that is.

Ref Horse & Hound; 23 July 2020

Emmet McNamara, 30, has been grinding away for many years as a jockey. Dedicated to riding out each morning for top trainer Aidan O’Brien, his patience paid off when he won this year’s Investec Derby at Epsom on a 25/1 chance.

Where it all began

Emmet McNamara was born on 9 January 1990 and grew up in Limerick, Ireland. His father, Eric, is a racehorse trainer so racing has always been in his blood.

Champion pony rider

Like many top Irish jockeys, Emmet learnt his trade on the pony racing circuit in Ireland and he was the champion rider for two years running. In his final season pony racing, he broke the most-winning record by riding to 65 victories.

Apprentice success

Having taken out a professional apprentice jockey licence, Emmet’s first win in the saddle came aboard Prince Livius for trainer Tom Hogan at Tipperary on 30 August 2007.

Having gone on to ride 26 winners, he was crowned champion apprentice jockey at the end of the 2008 season.

Riding out for O’Brien

His first significant victory in the saddle came partnering the Aidan O’Brien-trained Port Douglas in the Group Two Beresford Stakes at The Curragh in 2015.

He has been dedicated to riding out for the leading Irish trainer each morning. In his own words: “Things are very tough in Ireland in terms of getting rides, but I am at Aidan’s every morning of the week, so I am not going here, there and everywhere to ride out.”

A star pupil

Emmet has also enjoyed success away from the racecourse. In 2018, he gained a first-class honours degree in accounting and finance at Dublin’s Griffith College.

His career high

Emmet’s greatest day riding came recently in the Group One Investec Derby at Epsom (4 July) when he produced a brave ride on the Aidan O’Brien-trained outsider Serpentine. He made all the running on the 25/1 chance to come home 5½ lengths clear of their nearest rivals and claim the £283,550 prize-pot for connections.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

9 things you might not know about on-form Flat jockey, James Doyle

Flat jockey James Doyle has been enjoying a successful week at Royal Ascot (16-20 June 2020), and here we bring

Meet the pro footballer who swapped the ball for a racing saddle aged 32 (having never ridden before)

Jay Tabb made a dramatic career change aged 32 and now works in racing

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Other top notches

The jockey has achieved Group Three and Listed winners in the past as well. He won the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Douglas Macarthur in 2017.

His Listed winners include Fiery Lad (Carlingford Stakes in 2008), Mister Tee (Star Appeal Stakes in 2009) and Duchess Of Foxland (Hurry Harriet Stakes in 2010). While major handicap successes came on Tis Mighty in the Irish Cambridgeshire in 2008 and on Duchess Of Foxland in the Madrid Handicap two years later.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Aidan O’Brien dominated Investec Derby Day at Epsom today (Saturday, 4 July) with impressive wins in both the Derby and the Oaks.

Serpentine, who is owned by Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, was a 25/1 shot in the Investec Derby and one of six runners from O’Brien’s Irish stable.

Under Emmet McNamara, the three-year-old son of Derby victor Galileo took a clear lead turning for home and won comfortably by 5½ lengths to the Andrew Balding-trained Khalifa Sat (Tom Marquand) in second.

“It was unbelievable,” said Aidan. “Serpentine is from a great pedigree and we always thought he’d stay very well. We have been delighted with him at home.

“He is homebred by Galileo, so he has Derby pedigree in him – we are over the moon with the result,” added the record-breaking Derby trainer, who has won the Classic eight times now.

Galloping clear in the Oaks

The Investec Oaks was won by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Love (pictured, below), the 1000 Guineas winner, under Ryan Moore and for the same connections as the Derby winner.

The winning jockey was claiming the Oaks title for the third time following Snow Fairy in 2010 and Minding in 2016.

The favourite, a three-year-old chestnut daughter of Galileo, beat stablemate Ennistymon (Seamie Heffernan) by nine lengths.

The long-time leaders, Passion and Tiempo Vuela, pushed ahead by 15 lengths before being caught by the rest of the field six furlongs out. The eventual winner took the helm two furlongs out before galloping clear of her rivals and winning impressively.

“I couldn’t have been happier with Love and I don’t think she could have been any more impressive today,” said Ryan.

“You never expect to win an Oaks – I don’t know how far she won by [nine lengths], but it felt like a very long way. She was exceptional today, hopefully she has got plenty to look forward to in the future and she would be a threat to anything.

“She wasn’t stopping at all, she actually got down to the rail and picked up again – she is very good.”

Don’t miss the full report from Investec Derby Day at Epsom in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound (9 July).

We continue to publish Horse & Hound weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online. 

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With the Derby and Oaks taking place behind closed doors at the Surrey racecourse, it’s set to be a very different meeting this year, but the horses will remain the stars of the show. Carl Evans takes a look

The Investec Derby

English King – bay colt by Camelot out of Platonic (Zafonic)

Form: 71-1

Foaled: 11 April 2017

Breeder: Ecurie Des Monceaux Et Al

Owner: Bjorn Nielsen

Trainer: Ed Walker

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Businessman and racehorse owner/breeder Bjorn Nielsen has enjoyed a run of success with brilliant Stradivarius, who recently won a third Ascot Gold Cup. Nielsen jokes he has been trying to breed a Derby winner for years and instead created one of racing’s great stayers. However, English King – a horse bred in France and bought by Nielsen as a yearling for €210,000 – could provide him with Epsom glory. A winner at Newcastle last year (the second and third placed won next time out), he then showed acceleration and power when winning last month’s Lingfield Derby trial. Frankie Dettori has since been booked for the ride and English King is by a stallion who won the Derby.

Kameko – bay colt by Kitten’s Joy out of Sweeter Still (Rock Of Gibraltar)

Form: 1221-1

Foaled: 7 April 2017

Breeder: Calumet Farm

Owner: Qatar Racing Ltd

Trainer: Andrew Balding

Jockey: Oisin Murphy

In September 2016, Qatar Racing boss Sheikh Fahad Al Thani accepted the advice of racing manager David Redvers and bought a yearling colt by US stallion Kitten’s Joy. The colt became champion Roaring Lion (third in the Derby), so they went back to the same sale in 2018 and bought this son of Kitten’s Joy for $90,000. He, too, is a huge talent, winning last year’s Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy before landing the Group One 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. After producing four failed foals, his dam was sold at the age of 13 in November 2018 for $1,500. After Kameko, you could add three noughts to her value, although Qatar Racing nipped in and bought her privately when realising her son could be special.

Mohican Heights – chestnut colt by Australia out of Mohican Princess (Shirley Heights)

Form: 11-3

Foaled: 11 April 2017

Breeder: Kevin Molloy

Owner: Sun Bloodstock Sarl

Trainer: David Simcock

Jockey: Andrea Atzeni

Here is a colt who, although a Derby outsider, has shown enough to suggest he can get involved in the finish. Having won his debut race as a two-year-old, he changed hands at a sale in London for £520,000 and then scored again for his current trainer. On his 2020 reappearance, he made eye-catching late progress to finish third to another Derby hopeful, Pyledriver, at Royal Ascot. His sire won a Derby, as did his dam’s sire.

Pyledriver – bay colt by Harbour Watch out of La Pyle (Le Havre)

Form: 1417-21

Foaled: 14 March 2017

Owner/breeder: Knox & Wells Ltd & R Devlin

Trainer: William Muir

Jockey: Martin Dwyer

This horse won his debut race last year at odds of 50/1 and more recently landed Royal Ascot’s Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at 18/1, so why do punters regularly ignore him? He failed to attract a bid when offered for sale as a foal, he is by a sire whose brief career ended prematurely due to arthritic issues, his dam failed to win over hurdles and his capable trainer is not a household name. But his dam, La Pyle, is a half-sister to a Group One winner over the Derby trip and her son’s Royal Ascot win was emphatic.

The Investec Oaks

Love – chestnut filly by Galileo out of Pikaboo (Pivotal)

Form: 4211513-1

Foaled: 13 April 2017

Breeder: Coolmore

Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Sue Magnier

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

The amazing trainer Aidan O’Brien and the no-less amazing group of owners, who patronise his Co. Tipperary stable, are responsible for this filly – the very impressive winner of last month’s Group One 1000 Guineas. Reproduce that performance and she is set to become O’Brien’s eighth Oaks winner. She has won on varying ground, and while yet to race beyond a mile looks sure to stay the Oaks trip. Her two full sisters had no problem with it, but daughters of Galileo have a heck of a start in life.

Frankly Darling – bay filly by Frankel out of Hidden Hope (Daylami)

Form: 2-11

Foaled: 19 April 2017

Breeder: Hascombe and Valiant Stud Ltd

Owner: Anthony Oppenheimer

Trainer: John Gosden

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Raced keenly but that did not stop her being a most impressive winner of Royal Ascot’s Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes. Will need to be a little more conservative if she is to win an Oaks, but she has shown she has stamina and a turn of foot. Jockey and trainer combination is deadly, and Dettori won the Derby on Golden Horn for this owner/breeder.

Ennistymon – bay filly by Galileo out of Lahinch (Danehill Dancer)

Form: 7-12

Foaled: 4 January 2017

Owner/breeder: Evie Stockwell

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

This filly’s owner has bred the winner of the Oaks six times and the Derby eight times by virtue of giving birth to her son, John Magnier – the genius behind Coolmore Stud and Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables. Evie Stockwell, who is in her mid-90s, now has a good chance of breeding an equine winner of the Oaks. Ennistymon, a daughter of the great sire Galileo, finished strongly when second to the John Gosden-trained Frankly Darling at Royal Ascot, and while she needs another gear to gain revenge she certainly merits respect.

Peaceful – bay filly by Galileo out of Missvinski (Stravinsky)

Form: 912-1

Foaled: 22 January 2017

Breeder: Coolmore

Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Sue Magnier

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Aidan O’Brien is convinced this filly will stay further than a mile, the distance over which she proved a comfortable winner of last month’s Group One Irish 1000 Guineas. She has a brother who stayed two miles and while her dam showed speed, she also stayed a mile. The influence of Galileo is likely to have injected talent and stamina into this filly and she’s not short of experience.

Ref Horse & Hound; 2 July 2020

With the Investec Derby and Investec Oaks taking place tomorrow (4 July), we take a trip down memory lane and reflect on some of the horses who have carved their names into the Epsom history books...

Nijinsky (1970 Derby)

A Canadian-bred, Irish-trained horse, who went on to become a famous and versatile sire. Regarded by many as the greatest Flat horse in Europe during the 20^th Century, Nijinsky was the outstanding two-year-old in 1969 when unbeaten in five races. The following season, he became the first horse for 34 years to win the English Triple Crown (the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and St Leger) – a feat that is yet to be repeated.

Partnered by Lester Piggott, Nijinsky was an 11/8 shot going into the Derby, and his rivals included the French-bred colt Gyr. Nijinsky was held up in the race by Lester as usual, before moving forward in the home straight – by which time Gyr was in front. Two furlongs out, the favourite responded to Lester’s urgings and pulled ahead of Gyr to win by 2½ lengths. The runner-up’s jockey said Nijinsky was “just too good”.

Nijinsky went on to sire three Derby winners; Golden Fleece (1982), Shahrastani (1986) and Lammtarra (1995), plus 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand. He established the global reputation of his sire Northern Dancer and became the leading sire in Britain and Ireland, and the leading broodmare sire in North America.

Galileo (2001 Derby)

The 10-time champion stallion won the Classic race in 2001 and has sired three Derby winners including New Approach (2008), Ruler Of The World (2013) and Australia (2014). While two daughters have been victorious in the Oaks – Was (2012) and Minding (2016), plus he sired the superstar Frankel.

In the Derby, Galileo started 11/4 joint-favourite alongside the 2000 Guineas victor Golan. The field was considered strong but Galileo posted an impressive 3½ length victory over Golan, Tobougg and Mr Combustible. He was considered the best Derby winner in 10 years at the time.

Mill Reef (1971 Derby)

In 1971, Mill Reef proved to be the outstanding middle-distance horse of the year, winning the Derby by two lengths from Linden Tree, the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Sadly the following year, Mill Reef broke a foreleg in training. A steel plate was inserted during a six-hour operation and he spent six weeks in plaster. Having made a full recovery, he retired to the National Stud and went on to sire Derby winners Shirley Heights (1978) and Reference Point (1987).

Lammtarra (1995 Derby)

Lammtarra’s Derby triumph in 1995 came following the death of his trainer Alex Scott aged 34, who had always dreamed of Epsom glory. The chestnut was a 14/1 chance to emulate his sire, Nijinsky, 25 years earlier, with Walter Swinburn in the saddle.

During the race, Lammtarra made up six lengths in the last 1½ furlongs and overtook Tamure in the final furlong, winning by a length. Lammtarra broke the track record that day and retired unbeaten. He was also the first Derby winner to be sired by a Derby winner (Nijinsky, 1970), out of an Oaks winner (Snow Bride, 1989).

Sea The Stars (2009 Derby)

Sea The Stars shares a dam with fellow Derby victor Galileo in Urban Sea – she foaled Sea The Stars eight years after Galileo. Sea The Stars was magical during the 2009 season, winning six Group Ones and is regarded as one of the all-time greats.

He won the 2009 Derby despite doubts about his stamina and a strong field. Racing prominently, he reeled in the leader three furlongs out to win the Classic. His jockey, Mick Kinane, described the race as “easy” and like “slow motion”.

Girl power…

Enable (2017 Oaks)

The John Gosden-trained supermare is a true Epsom gem of the 21^st Century, winning the 2017 Oaks in a hailstorm by five lengths. She also created a new race-record of 2min, 34.13sec. She went on to win the Irish Oaks, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (twice), Yorkshire Oaks (twice), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (twice) and the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchull Downs.

She has remained in training for 2020 and will aim to win the Prix de l’ Arc de Triomphe for a third time, in October.

Pretty Polly (1904 Oaks)

As a three-year-old filly Pretty Polly not only won the Oaks at Epsom but the 1000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, the St Leger Stakes – completing the Fillies’ Triple Crown – under William Lane.

Bred and owned by Major Eustace Loder and trained by Peter Gilpin, Pretty Polly won an impressive 22 races from 24 starts.

We are continuing to produce Horse & Hound as a weekly magazine during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as to keep our website at horseandhound.co.uk up to date with breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Investec Derby Festival is the biggest week of the year for us and we have an owners’ party on Derby day. We make quite a big thing of it and we’re certainly not alone in doing so. There’s certainly a buzz about the whole place as Epsom is the focus of the racing calendar for the week, so it’s great to be a part of it all.

People are continuing to visit, too — attendance was solid with 36,000 racegoers on Saturday, 1 June, and many thousands more were on the hill. It shows that the Derby is a true spectacle that will hopefully continue to hold a special place in the world of sport.

Over the past 20 years, I think the town and the racing community have become a bit disconnected. This year, attempts have been made to return the Derby Festival to prominence with events and concerts organised to celebrate it. We need to build on this in future years to try to strengthen the bonds between the town and the sport.

The Derby itself was an incredibly exciting one, with five horses in contention running into the final furlong. The fact there were so many horses finishing close together would indicate that Anthony Van Dyck is not a stand-out winner, but you can’t have a superstar every year. It was certainly a good performance to win from where he was — a long way back going into Tattenham Corner. Only time will tell whether he’s a very good racehorse or one of the more average Derby winners.

So close yet so far

As an Epsom trainer, our dream is to have a runner with a chance in the Derby. This hasn’t happened yet, but we did have runners on both days of the meeting in the supporting £50,000 handicaps. Hateya ran a blinder in the concluding race on Friday, 31 May, when flying home late after having to switch to the outside — just failing to catch the front-running Corazon Espinado.

At the start of the day, we’d have happily taken second in a big handicap on Oaks day, but to have been an unlucky-in-running narrow second, who would have won in another five yards, is a little frustrating. It’s one of those times when you end up feeling both pleased and gutted. At least we were beaten by another Epsom trainer, Simon Dow, and it was a great showcase for Epsom as a training centre.

Unfortunately, Harrogate blew his chance at the start on Saturday when a bit slow away from the stalls, but his owners still had a fantastic day out with a runner on Derby day.

There is a great history in the racecourse and local stables, but there have also been plenty of difficult times over the years with a falling population of horses and trainers.

The wider future of Epsom seems to be a positive one. However, there are a number of yards where the infrastructure is falling behind the training centres that we’re competing with — we need some more inward investment.

Our own situation is fairly well-known locally in that we’re at the end of a long planning process with the council after the application to build a new stable yard and complex, along with a residential development for new apartments. It is likely to be decided in the next few weeks, and for us it’s hugely important that we get the go-ahead.

If not, South Hatch Stables will no longer remain a racing yard and our future will be very uncertain.

Ref Horse & Hound; 6 June 2019

Anthony Van Dyck became trainer Aidan O’Brien’s seventh Investec Derby victory when the Galileo colt stormed to success in the Group One Epsom Classic today (Saturday, 1 June).

Very little divided the top five at the finishing line, with the winning mount of Seamie Heffernan holding off the Kevin Prendergast-trained Madhmoon, under Chris Hayes, by just half a length.

O’Brien horses filled the next four places, with the Irish handler’s Japan (Wayne Lordan) finishing a nose in third.

The winning Ballydoyle three-year-old, a 13/2 shot, stayed on up the iconic Epsom home run under Irishman Seamie, who was claiming his first Investec Derby win.

“I knew he’d do it when I needed him,” said Seamie, whose bold riding was rewarded. He switched his mount left onto the rail one furlong out and the pair led 100 yards from the line.

“It is a privilege to be part of this team — the lads at home put so much in day in, day out,” said Aidan.

“A few of my horses were in with a chance during the closing stages, and I was just delighted they were a part of the race in the final furlong. It’s a tough race and, until the horse passes the finish line, you’re just never sure [of the result].”

The top Irish trainer was also thrilled for the winning jockey.

“Seamie has been placed in the Derby so many times — he is a special fella and a world-class rider.”

The victory sees Aidan equal Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling for most Derby wins.

Girls on form

The fillies’ Group One equivalent, the Investec Oaks, was won by the John Gosden-trained Anapurna on Friday (31 May).

The daughter of Frankel rallied inside the final furlong under Frankie Dettori, leading the last 110 yards and beating the Aidan O’Brien-trained Pink Dogwood (Ryan Moore) by a neck.

Don’t miss our full report from the Investec Derby meeting in the 6 June issue of Horse & Hound.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The Queen has earned the best part of £8m in winnings from her racehorses during the past 31 years, it has been calculated.

Website myracing.com looked into Her Majesty’s results since 1988, calculating that the 534 wins she has achieved as an owner in 3,205 runs, on the Flat or over jumps, have netted her £7,768,448 in winnings.

Her best year was 2016, when her horses won £506,274, while her highest-earning horse so far is Carlton House, who brought in £772,815.

She averages nine wins per year, with a win ratio of 16.1%, and although she has never won the Derby, and does not have a runner in the race this year (1 June), she will still be hoping for success at Epsom on Saturday.

Matthew Newman of myracing.com believes The Queen has a chance of success, as her horse Sextant runs in the Class 2 handicap at 5.15pm.

“This year she has a real chance,” he says. “Sextant was an impressive winner on his debut at Ascot in May and with only four career starts, he should do better still at Epsom. The Queen has Sir Michael Stoute as trainer, he has had five Derby wins at Epsom to his name, so there’s a good chance she could see a winner.”

Continues below…

The Queen’s £50 Tesco voucher — and other golden moments from Royal Windsor 2016

Fed up with Monday? Let us transport you back to those moments from this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show that

Mulrys Error: 7 reasons we all fell in love with the ‘supercob’ with dinner plate feet

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The Queen has had six Flat winners already this season, and won £192,765 in prize money this year, but will be hoping for more success at Royal Ascot (18 to 22 June), where she won the Gold Cup with Estimate in 2013.

“She does it for fun, 100 per cent,” Mr Newman said.

“Her genuine love of the horses is not in question — one look at her face when her horse begins a run or gets to challenge will tell you all you need to know.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top jockey Frankie Dettori has revealed riding against his son is the one “amazing ambition” he wants to achieve before he retires.

The winner of more than 500 Group races has often been asked about when he plans to retire, but told thejockeyclub.co.uk he would hold off on hanging up his boots if it meant he could race against his son, Rocco.

“He’s only 14. I didn’t want him to do it [become a jockey],” he said. “It’s a job that has sacrifices and ridiculous hours.

“Obviously as a parent I really don’t want him to do it but as a sportsman or as a way of life, if you love it then it’s really amazing.”

He added if Rocco, who has raced in the Shetland pony Grand National series, wants to pursue the sport, then “obviously I’m going to try to help him”.

“It’s up to him. At the moment he seems very keen but when you’re a teenager you can change from week to week,” he said.

“I’m not holding my hopes too highly but if he does decide to do it I will back him and try to help him as much as I can.”

Frankie rode against his own father, Gianfranco, before he retired.

Asked if he would be tempted to extend his career to ensure he can ride against Rocco, Dettori Snr replied: “I’d love to. I did ride with my dad and it was an amazing experience and I’m very proud that I did it.

“Of course, if he wants to do it. It’s an amazing ambition of mine to be able to ride with him. He can tell his children that we did it.”

He added he owes his own career to his father.

“He was my inspiration,” he said. “He was a champion jockey in his own right.He won two Guineas here at Newmarket back-to-back. It was his vision to send me to England and that’s why I’m based here at the moment.”

Frankie will be hoping for his third Investec Epsom Derby win on Saturday (1 June).

His first came in 2007 aboard Authorized, while his second in 2015 with Golden Horn is what he describes asthe “most emotional moment” of his life.

“Having Dad there [at Epsom in 2007] was amazing. We’d talked about it for years,” said Frankie.

“He had this beautiful white gold watch that he used to pull out of the safe once a year when he went to the gala dinner and he used to dangle it in my face.

“He would say, ‘One year when you win the Epsom Derby I’m going to give it to you’. Anyway, true to his word he brought the watch with him and he gave it to me. It meant a lot.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Frankie Dettori delights in Derby success

"I've won the Derby!" The popular jockey thrills the crowds at Epsom with his second win in the Classic race

‘I don’t want to chop my fingers off before the Derby’: Frankie Dettori cooks up a storm

The charismatic Italian jockey shows off his cooking skills in the Epsom Racecourse kitchen

Frankie added his 2015 triumph was incredible “for many reasons”.

“I was 44, I’d been through some bad times,” he said.

“The kids were old enough to understand. I remember they had made banners for me when I left the house.

“In my 32 years as a professional that was probably the most emotional moment that I’d felt in my life when Golden Horn hit the front and I knew I was going to win.

“To a point that I didn’t feel my body. It felt like jelly. Like someone had taken the power out of my muscles.

“In all the big races I’ve won that was probably the most emotional I’d felt.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Despite being a top Flat jockey, Frankie Dettori is a keen ‘foody’ and he owns restaurants in London.

During the countdown to the Investec Derby at Epsom Downs on 1 June, Italian-born Frankie teamed up with the racecourse’s head chef Rhys Owen to create his ultimate celebration dish if he were to win the Investec Derby again — opting for ‘melanzane alla parmigiana’, which is an aubergine-based recipe.

Frankie has won the Investec Derby twice, on Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015.

“Every sport has got their big event and the Investec Derby is the best for us in Flat racing,” he said. “You’re lucky if you happen to win it because it’s one of the most famous races in the world.

“I was lucky enough to win the Derby twice and let’s hope this dish brings me luck for a third time.”

Frankie is likely to partner the Derby favourite Too Darn Hot, if the three-year-old runs in the big race after a splint put him out of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket recently. The Lord Lloyd-Webber-owned son of Dubawi was unbeaten last season as a two-year-old and picked up the Cartier two-year-old accolade.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

The first running of the Derby at Epsom took place in 1780 and the great race has now become part of the unique and vibrant Investec Derby Festival, taking place on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June. The fillies’ race, the Investec Oaks, is on the Friday afternoon and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Pink Dogwood currently heads the betting.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday. Don’t miss our Investec Derby preview in the 30 May issue and the full report from the two-day meeting in the 6 June issue.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Opinion

Masar was an unexpected winner of this year’s Investec Derby at Epsom. However, in my opinion, he should not have been. In Saturday’s paper, I had put a big circle around his name — yes, he was beaten into third in the 2000 Guineas (won by Saxon Warrior), but he was a very impressive winner of the Craven Stakes in April and on both occasions he beat Roaring Lion, the Derby second-favourite.

The favourite Saxon Warrior finished a disappointing fourth and I think we’ll see a better horse in him in the future. I was at Epsom for the draw on the Thursday and, when Saxon Warrior was drawn in stall one, I was concerned for him.

Number one is a very difficult draw and only leaves the jockey with two options; kick up — which can easily burn your horse out — or drop in and hope you get lucky.

This didn’t happen, and Ryan Moore found himself behind a wall of horses. He then had to pull his horse to the right, up the camber, to make his challenge, and this is a big negative at Epsom.

The start is probably the most important part of the Derby. First, you move to the right-hand side of the track, then back to the inside rail — this all takes place in the first two furlongs.

The climb to the top of the hill is substantial. You then turn left and descend to Tattenham Corner and into the home straight, where you have the steep left-to-right camber to contend with. From a jockey’s perspective, you want everything to go right on the day and for everything to suit your mount, including a good draw and suitable ground.

Winning is magic

I was fortunate enough to win the Derby in 1992 aboard Doctor Devious and I can say it is a feeling like no other.

I have won two King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, an Irish Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. They are all amazing races, but the magic of winning a Derby is so special. It is a unique place and the one race everyone wants to win. The Derby has such a great appeal to the general public, too, a bit like the Grand National.

Doctor Devious was a bit keen to start with and I remember being worried that he wasn’t going to settle at all. However, he then relaxed; we got into a nice position and had a clean run — which is what you need.

I won’t forget waking up on the morning of the Derby that year and saying to my wife, Joy, “I think I can win the Derby today”.

I had ridden Doctor Devious during a racecourse gallop at Epsom the week before and he had felt so balanced and relaxed. I just felt that all I had to do was keep him out of trouble during the race and we would have a great chance of winning.

Well done Godolphin

It was nice to see Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation claim their first Derby success — a race which had always eluded them before.

I actually got beaten a short-head in the 1998 Derby in the famous blue silks on City Honours when the Luca Cumani trained High-Rise won under Olivier Peslier. So I know what it is like to have won the Derby, but I also remember the disappointment of getting beaten.

Ref Horse & Hound; 7 June 2018

The famous blue silks of Godolphin dominated today’s Investec Derby at Epsom Downs (Saturday, 2 June), as William Buick steered the Charlie Appleby-trained Masar to victory — giving Sheikh Mohammed’s powerhouse a long-awaited first success in the prestigious Group One race.

On the lead up to the big race, the focus was on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Saxon Warrior — this year’s 2000 Guineas victor who went off the 4/5 favourite.

However, under Ryan Moore, the Ballydoyle colt experienced some traffic problems during the race and was never a threat to the leaders, finishing fourth.

The eventual winner — a 16/1 shot — stayed on well and had a clear run up to the finishing line on the stands’ side, holding off runner-up Dee Ex Bee (Silvestre De Sousa) by one-and-a-half lengths, with Roaring Lion (Oisin Murphy) in third.

“All I could think of in the last furlong was that I wanted to be the first trainer to win the Derby in the Godolphin blue,” said Charlie Appleby, who also trained the second-placed Wild Illusion in yesterday’s Investec Oaks.

“It was a fantastic team effort. Brett Doyle rides him every day — we just wanted to get him to switch off and we thought he’d stay. William [Buick] has given him a brilliant ride, but the last 100 yards seemed a long time.

“It still hasn’t sunk in and it probably won’t for days or even weeks. I was always just hoping the door was going to open for us this season and, to be honest, I did think it was going to be yesterday [in the Oaks],” he added.

William Buick, meanwhile, was enjoying his first taste of Derby success, having come close on occasions before.

“I’ve had a few rides in the race and I’ve come close a couple of times,” he said. “I know that some jockeys have ridden in the Derby more times without winning it, however, I often asked myself if my time would ever come. To do it for Sheikh Mohammed and his family — in the famous blue colours — is special, they are loyal supporters of mine and I’m very happy to be part of it all,” William added.

“Masar stayed the trip and travelled beautifully today. The Guineas didn’t happen for him but he’s a very good horse and the team believed in him.

“I’ve dreamt of this moment since I wanted to become a jockey, this is everything. A ‘Derby-winning rider’ — it sounds very good.”

O’Brien’s Oaks success

Aidan O’Brien may have missed out on this year’s Investec Derby victory, however, Forever Together’s brilliant four-and-a-half length win in the Investec Oaks (Friday, 1 June) was a seventh in the fillies’ mile-and-a-half Classic for the top trainer.

Forever Together was ridden by Aidan’s son Donnacha, who won the 2000 Guineas aboard Saxon Warrior last month.

The daughter of Galileo is out of the Theatrical mare Green Room — also dam of Group One winner Lord Shanakill — and she is the first maiden to win the Investec Oaks since Sun Princess in 1983.

Don’t miss the full report from the Investec Derby Festival in Horse & Hound magazine — on sale Thursday, 7 June.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

As Channel 4 broadcasts Clare Balding’s Secrets of a Suffragette, the story of Emily Wilding Davison – how and why she targeted the King’s horse in the 1913 Derby, whether she knew her actions might be fatal and what effect she had on the Suffragette Movement – at 10pm tonight (Tuesday 6 February), we bring you the key facts you need to know about the most sensational running of the prestigious race.

• There were 15 runners for the fateful contest, which was worth £6,450 to the winner.
• King George V was in attendance with Queen Mary to watch his Derby runner Anmer — and an estimated crowd of 500,000 members of the public joined them
• The 6-4 favourite for the race was Craganour, trained by Jack Robinson, winner of five of his six races as a juvenile and a notably unlucky loser of the 2000 Guineas.
• The main group of runners had passed Davison when she ducked under the inside running rail and on to the course, where she was flattened by Anmer.
• The colt came down, interfering with a couple of other runners and leaving Davison and his jockey Herbert Jones prostrate on the turf.
• Anmer was unhurt, Jones was shaken, bruised and concussed, but 40-year-old Davison suffered a fractured skull.
• Davison never regained consciousness and died in Epsom Cottage Hospital four days after the race.
• The suffragette had two large flags in the green, purple and white suffragette colours under her coat when she stepped out on the track. It’s believed she intended to unfurl them on the course in a one-woman demonstration, but may not have realised all the horses had not yet passed her due to the curve of the track at that point.
• Although much has been made of the identity of the horse who ran Davison down, it is widely thought that it was the royal runner was only a grim coincidence.
• Davison had a return train ticket in her purse and had made arrangements to attend a meeting the following day, making it unlikely that she intended her actions at Epsom to make her a martyr for her cause.
• More than 50,000 watched her funeral procession in London — at that time the greatest crowd ever to acknowledge a non-royal — and 20,000 attended her burial near her home in Morpeth, Northumberland.
• Craganour was the first horse past the post, but lost the race to the stewards when disqualified for not keeping a straight course, handing the win to Aboyeur
• Craganour remains the first and only Derby winner to lose the race on the day.
• Herbert Jones remained haunted by the Derby incident and 15 years later he laid a wreath at the funeral of the suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst. He took his own life in a gas-filled kitchen in 1951 at the age of 71.

Don’t miss your chance to watch the story of Emily Wilding Davison in Clare Balding’s Secrets of a Suffragette on Channel 4 at 10pm on Tuesday 6 February.

Extracts from feature first published in H&H 30 May 2013, written by Sue Montgomery

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now