Epsom Derby 2025: Key contenders and betting insights The Derby at Epsom is one of the jewels in Britain's sporting crown and a race bound intrinsically to the bloodlines of the thoroughbred. On Saturday afternoon, the latest chapter in a centuries old story will be penned, with a field of 19 colts engaged and just under £1m to the winner. Aidan O'Brien has won the last two renewals, but Charlie Appleby is fresh off bagging both Classics at Newmarket last month as the two powerhouse trainers get set for battle. There are two French raiders seeking to bridge the gap to Pour Moi in 2011 for a continental win, while a host of the key trial winners are now set to lock horns in an intriguing and open contest. BoyleSports Betting Offer If you already have a BoyleSportsaccount, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses Epsom Derby Betting Tips NAP: Delacroix Next Best: Stanhope Gardens Appleby and Buick looking to go again Appleby and William Buick picked up both Classics at Newmarket last month and the top talents will head for Epsom with Desert Flower and Ruling Court seeking to add Oaks/Derby glory to their wins on the Rowley Mile. Ruling Court was strong through the line in the 2000 Guineas, despite Field Of Gold closing hard and the fact that the Juddmonte-owned runner-up might have been the best horse in the race had he been ridden differently. The Godolphin-owned son of Justify now has to try and prove himself over an extra half-mile. It could be that he crests Tattenham Corner flying, but will he power home on the famous Epsom straight? Delacroix can give Moore his treble It's more than a century since Steve Donoghue won the Derby at Epsom three times in a row and now Ryan Moore has the chance to equal that feat. He has won on Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy in the last two years, matching the likes of Lester Piggott, Willie Carson and Kieren Fallon in going back-to-back. Moore ended up with three options as retained rider at Ballydoyle and has gone with DELCROIX over The Lion In Winter and Lambourn. The Lion In Winter was beaten in the Dante on his comeback and now has to bounce back. Lambourn won well at Chester last time and was drawn in stall 10 - which has produced more Derby winners (11) than any starting gate since stalls were introduced in 1967. Delacroix was a smart miler last season, winning the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket and this term he has won the Ballysax Stakes and the Derby Trial at Leopardstown in two appearances. The form of that comeback win is exceptional, with Chester Vase winner Lambourn in second, Lingfield Trial winner Puppet Master fourth and Naas Group 3 scorer Wemightakedlongway in fifth. Delacroix promises to see this trip out well and can give his trainer a record-extending 11th Epsom Derby victory and his rider a Classic hat-trick, something that hasn't been done in a century. Stanhope Gardens the value for a place Being strong on the claims of Delacroix, it surely follows that STANHOPE GARDENS should be an outsider of some interest. He's one of two Ralph Beckett-trained runners, joining stablemate and Dante winner Pride Of Arras. The latter is much shorter in the betting after his York win, but perhaps this son of Ghaiyyath is one with a bit of upside at a tasty price. He finished a neck second behind Delacroix in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes over a mile at Newmarket last season on just his third start, having taken a Beverley maiden second time out. That proximity to the Derby favourite has to be noted and he showed he has trained on with a comfortable Conditions race win at Salisbury over a mile a fortnight ago. There should be more to come now upped in trip and, while this asks plenty more, he's entitled to go well.
