The flat campaign is yet to begin, with the much-anticipated Lincoln Handicap fixture at Doncaster on the 29th of March representing the launchpad for 2025. However, many racing fans already have half an eye on the biggest events of the campaign ahead. In flat horse racing, events don’t come much bigger than the historic Epsom Derby.
First run in 1780, The Derby has inspired countless imitators and remains the Classic contest atop the wish list of the leading trainers, jockeys, and owners. As such, the latest list of Derby entries always receives its fair share of attention.
Looking ahead to the 2025 edition of this historical contest, which takes place on Saturday, the 7th June, 90 runners remain in contention for a shot at the £1.5 million race around the famous twists and turns of the 1m4f course. Included amongst that 90 are a host or runners from the yards of the names you would expect, with a seemingly unstoppable force from Ireland leading the way.
O’Brien Responsible for Almost a Quarter of the Entries
Having claimed the Derby four times in the past six years and on ten occasions in total, Aidan O’Brien is already the most successful trainer in the history of the Epsom Classic. If the weight of numbers is any guide, the Ballydoyle maestro must have solid claims of adding to that mighty record in 2025.
Of the 90 runners remaining in the race, no fewer than 22 are trained by O’Brien, including the top three in the betting. Much water must flow under the bridge before the field lines up in around 11 weeks, but if O’Brien is to land a record extending 11th Derby victory, the market suggests one of the following trio is most likely to prevail.
The Lion In Winter
Despite racing only twice as a juvenile, this Sea The Stars colt heads into his Classic campaign as the most talked about three-year-old in training. Having created an excellent impression on debut at the Curragh, The Lion In Winter burnished his growing reputation in the Acomb Stakes when seeing off a field of highly touted rivals, including Ruling Court and Wimbledon Hawkeye.
Those efforts came over 7f, but his pedigree suggests he is likely to be even better over further.
Twain
In common with The Lion In Winter, Twain ended his two-year-old season with a perfect two-from-two record. However, it could be argued that he has achieved even more at the track at this stage. A little slower to develop than some of his stablemates, he only made his debut in October, when hacking up by 6l in a Leopardstown Maiden. Having liked what they saw that day, connections set Twain the task of claiming the Group 1 Criterium International just eight days later.
Taking the step up in class in his formidable stride, the mount of Ryan Moore announced himself as a legitimate Classic contender with an impressive 1¼l success.
Expanded
Another who was late to the 2024 party, Expanded came very close to replicating the feat of Twain. Having broken his duck at the first time of asking at the Curragh, the good-looking bay headed to Newmarket for the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes only seven days later. Whilst he didn’t win that day, he couldn’t have come much closer – going down by just a neck to the talented Shadow Of Light.
O’Brien may top the entries list, but he isn’t the only handler taking a mob-handed approach to the Derby at this stage. Andrew Balding boasts six entries, John & Thady Gosden eight, and Ralph Beckett twelve. Will one of that trio have a horse lurking in their squad to threaten O’Brien’s dominance of Britain’s greatest flat race? The countdown is on.
