2025 Epsom Derby Preview

Get the full Epsom Derby 2025 runner-by-runner guide. Key form, pedigree, and verdicts on every contender in the world’s most famous flat race.

1 - Al Wasl Storm (Stall 13) David Probert

Last on debut but on his third attempt, he finally got off the mark with a fine front-running effort at Chester, 29 days ago. His trainer Owen Burrows knows what it takes to train a Derby horse for Ahmad Al Shaikh, having provided the 2022 runner-up Hoo Ya Mal and two years earlier, Khalifa Sat. However, Burrows has his reservations about his chances who, at best, can be considered a lively outsider coming out of stall 13.

2 - Damysus (Stall 15) James Doyle

A gorgeous looking Chestnut who looked classy when opening his account on debut in December at Southwell. The Wathnan Racing Team have earmarked this race for a while and following a brave run in the Dante Stakes to finish second behind Pride Of Arras, you would expect another big run and him to continue his progression as a three-year-old.

3 - Delacroix (Stall 14) Ryan Moore

Having had a solid season as a two-year-old, this son of Dubawi propelled himself to the top of the Derby market having won successive Derby trials at Leopardstown. Classy and consistent and has a big engine. More notably, he is the choice of Ryan Moore who can make history himself if winning on Saturday by emulating Steve Donoghue as the only jockey to have ridden three consecutive Derby winners.

4 - Green Storm (Stall 8) Billy Loughnane

Second participant for owner Ahmad Al Shaikh and a similar price too. Front-runner who likes to get on with things, he would certainly need a career best and was well-beaten on seasonal reappearance in a Listed race at Newmarket. Runner-up behind Tennessee Stud last Autumn who has since finished six-lengths behind Delacroix earlier this month so on all form, must improve dramatically.

5 - Lambourn (Stall 10) Wayne Lordan

Another Aidan O’Brien runner who was incredibly strong at the finish to win the Chester Vase last time out, beating Lazy Griff in the process. Although he was workmanlike to get the job done, once the penny finally dropped, his final furlongs were very strong. O’Brien tried blinkers in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes last year and suggesting that he has a lazy streak in him, he might just be running on when it is all too late.

6 - Lazy Griff (Stall 3) Christophe Soumillon

Chased home Lambourn in the Chester Vase, staying on well without ever really threatening to get past. However, trained by Charlie Johnston, he calculated that he was only 80% fit that day so you would hope he has come on a fair bit since Chester. Whether he will be able to turn the form around with Lambourn is a concern but Christophe Soumillon comes over for the ride having won on him in September last year at Chantilly.

7 - Midak (Stall 4) Mickael Barzalona

With this year’s Derby named in honour of the late Aga Khan, it would be a poignant success should Midak carry the famous green silks to victory having been recently supplemented for £75,000. Unbeaten in his three career starts, all in 2025, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him feature given his stamina has looked his biggest asset and is bred to relish the step up in trip.

8 - New Ground (Stall 17) Alexis Pouchin

Another French raider who was recently supplemented but has plenty to find on known form, especially after the result of the Prix du Jockey Club last weekend when the two horses he finished behind last time out were well beaten. However, on his comeback run, he looked outpaced in the closing stages and finished a length behind Cualificar, who was narrowly touched off in the French Derby.

9 - Nightime Dancer (Stall 9) Jamie Spencer

Outran his odds on debut to finish third behind two nice types and broke his maiden tag at Southwell earlier this year. Third behind two Aidan O’Brien horses in the Lingfield Derby Trial who probably wouldn’t be at the top of the pecking order at Ballydoyle so he is probably making up the numbers on Saturday.

10 - Nightwalker (stall 5) Tom Marquand

Bred to stay the trip and kept on nicely in the Dante to finish fifth. Only has one victory to his name but his run last time out would suggest he is well worth his weight at this level. Does have work to do to bridge the gap between himself and the others but could be a player at a big price.

11 - Pride Of Arras (stall 16) Rossa Ryan

The only horse in the field to be unbeaten but fairly bolted up in the Dante to win going away at the line. Ralph Beckett’s horses are in good form but his two Derby runners have drawn the two stalls (two and 16) which has never produced a winner of the Derby. However, this horse looks to have all the right credentials to win and if breaking well and he handles the tricky undulations of Epsom, he will be right there.

12 - Rogue Impact (Stall 1) James Owen

Having previously beaten Al Wasl Storm on the all-weather, James Owen’s 86-rated colt trailed home last in the Lingfield Derby Trial. It would be a miracle if he was to win and would certainly be a head-scratcher.

13 - Ruling Court (Stall 7) William Buick

2000 Guineas winner who looked to be full of heart when fending off subsequent easy Irish Guineas winner, Field Of Gold. The trip is unknown but William Buick is adamant that his mount, drawn in stall 7, will stay an extra half mile. He created a lasting impression as a two year old and looks to be even better at three. Huge chance.

14 - Sea Scout (Stall 18) Harry Davies

Has some solid form in the book when springing a 40/1 upset in the Blue Riband Trial here in April. The second, Trinity College, ran well in the Prix du Jockey Club as the pacemaker for Camille Pissarro so 100/1 might be a bit disrespectful to his chances.

15 - Stanhope Gardens (Stall 2) Hector Crouch

The second runner from the Ralph Beckett yard but a much worse draw to contend with. Third behind Ruling Court on debut, he has two wins to his name with the last coming via a three-runner race which was pretty much an exaggerated racecourse gallop. That was his reappearance run this year since coming off second best to Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October so it will be interesting to see how differently they have progressed.

16 - Tennessee Stud (Stall 12) Dylan Browne McMonagle

Trained by Joseph O’Brien and bred by his mother, Ann Marie, who owned her for much of his campaign as a two-year-old. Despite being a big price, he does have some good form in the book behind the likes of Hotazhell in the Beresford last year and subsequently won the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Drifted in the betting on seasonal reappearance behind Delacroix so expect a big step up from that run.

17 - The Lion In Winter (Stall 19) Colin Keane

Class at two but was disappointing in the Dante on seasonal reappearance when finishing sixth. Aidan O’Brien had warned everybody that he was not exactly where he wanted him and after flying out of the stalls, he ran too keen and his race was over. Those are signs you wouldn’t like to see, especially coming out of the widest stall of all but can’t be discounted just yet.

18 - Tornado Alert (Stall 11) Oisin Murphy

Despite Saeed Bin Suroor having a limited firepower to throw at the Derby these days, he still manages to do incredibly well with the horses that he is given. This horse, fourth in the Guineas, led for a long way in the 2000 Guineas before fading to finish a valiant fourth. Pedigree suggests he will stay and I would not be surprised if he is a popular each-way option for punters.

19 - Tuscan Hills (Stall 6) David Egan

Looked to have needed the run on his comeback effort in the Dante but given his bloodline, he should relish the downs and the recent rain that has come. He will need a career best but has a small chance of a place.