The Epsom Derby 2025

Date: Saturday 7th June 2025

The Derby remains one of the hardest Flat races of the year to get right, but the broad themes have stayed consistent in recent seasons. You want a colt with class, a strong prep and connections who know exactly what is required on the big day.

This year’s field looks competitive again, but the ratings still point quite firmly towards a handful near the top of the market. These are the three that make most appeal on the Turf Talk figures.

The ratings focus mainly on prep-race quality, stable strength, official ability and whether the colt looks likely to improve at a mile and a half. In the modern Derby, these factors have tended to matter more than anything else.

Pride Of Arras (6/1 available)

He heads the ratings and makes plenty of appeal in what looks a very open Derby.

He has the right sort of current profile, comes here with a strong level of form and looks the type who can still improve again for this test. In a year where there does not appear to be a standout superstar, he gets the vote.

Delacroix (4/1 available)

The market leader and a very obvious contender.

He has the Ballydoyle angle, plenty of class and the sort of profile that fits a modern Derby well. He is short enough though, and in a race that can still produce surprises he just misses out on top spot in the ratings.

Lambourn (8/1 available)

Another Ballydoyle runner who looks very much the Derby type.

He has a strong prep profile, he stays and he comes from the dominant Derby yard of the modern era. He may not have the same market pull as Delacroix, but he makes enough appeal to round out the shortlist.

Pride Of Arras just gets the vote on the ratings, with Delacroix and Lambourn the strongest alternatives in what looks another competitive Derby.