The Derby is the premier Classic in the British season and the race that remains the most coveted for all those involved with thoroughbreds.
After final declarations, a field of 14 contenders for The Derby (1.30) included Auguste Rodin for Aidan O'Brien and Arrest, who bids to give Frankie Dettori the perfect farewell in the great race.
The Derby can be viewed on the bet365 Sports Live Streaming Service, and here's our look ahead to the second of the Epsom Classics.
What | The Derby |
Where | Epsom Racecourse, Surrey |
When | 1.30, Saturday 3rd June |
How to watch | bet365's Sports Live Streaming Service, ITV, Racing TV |
Odds | Auguste Rodin 5/2, Military Order 4/1, Passenger 9/2, Arrest 11/2, The Foxes 12/1, Sprewell 12/1, Dubai Mile 14/1 |
Auguste Rodin @ 5/2
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
With eight wins, Aidan O'Brien has won The Derby more times than any other trainer but Ruler Of The World (2013) is the only time Ryan Moore has ridden a winner in this race for the Ballydoyle team, with Joseph O'Brien, Padraig Beggy, Seamie Heffernan and Emmet McNamara on board for the four most recent winners from the yard.
Augusta Rodin was touted by his trainer as a potential 'Triple Crown horse' in the spring but the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket didn't go to plan – he beat only two of 13 rivals home having been a well-backed favourite on rain-softened ground that was sure to suit.
As they were before the Guineas, the vibes around his work at home have been positive and it was always forecast he'd improve upped in trip, but Auguste Rodin has an air of having something to prove now.
Military Order @ 4/1
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Newmarket trainer Charlie Appleby ended Godolphin's quest for Derby glory when Masar scored in 2018 and now he's looking to make it three Epsom wins in six years with Military Order his sole contender in the hands of champion jockey William Buick – seeking his second victory in the race after Masar.
A son of the mighty Frankel, Military Order was surprisingly beaten at Newmarket in October on his debut but has gone 3-3 since.
He took the rise into Listed class in his stride when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial last month, that race was run on the Polytrack, with his stamina really kicking in when runner-up Waipiro threw down the gauntlet in the home straight after they'd come clear. He could have more to offer now.
Passenger @ 9/2
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Jockey Richard Kingscote left York last month a disappointed man after Passenger encountered traffic woes en route to finishing third in the Dante.
Impressive in his debut win in a Newmarket maiden the previous month over a mile, the Ulysses colt moved nicely on the Knavesmire but got caught behind horses before running on for third.
Many are expecting an improved showing now as Kingscote bids to become the first back-to-back winning Derby rider since Kieren Fallon (2003/'04) while helping Stoute secure his seventh winner in this Epsom showpiece.
Arrest @ 11/2
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
It took Frankie Dettori until his 15th attempt in 2007 before he won The Derby. Authorized gave him his breakthrough and he doubled his tally eight years later on board Golden Horn for John Gosden.
Now, the veteran Italian is confronted with his final time riding in the Derby having announced plans to retire at the end of 2023 and he looks to once more go again eight years on.
Arrest is the second son of Frankel in this race and won the Chester Vase in fine style last month, beating Derby rival Adelaide River by 6½-lengths.
He will handle this faster ground and while Dettori was apparently underwhelmed by a recent workout when they came around Tattenham Corner together, that experience could prove invaluable. Nobody does box office quite like Dettori and it would be no shock if he writes his own script here.
The Foxes @ 12/1
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Last month's Dante winner at York, this King Power-owned son of Churchill perhaps comes here under the radar by virtue of the fact so much was made of the luckless run of Passenger in third.
Oisin Murphy got him to the front in good style and while White Birch pressed him late on, he held off the challenge.
He has to prove himself over the extra yardage now, while the second and third from York may both fancy their chances of avenging that Knavesmire outcome.
As is routinely the case, the Aidan O'Brien challenge is multi-faceted and he's got 25/1 San Antonio and 50/1 Adelaide River to bolster his claims alongside market leader Auguste Rodin.
Both are beautifully bred colts with smart form and seeing them in the mix would be no surprise.
Waipiro (16/1) gave Military Order plenty to think about at Lingfield and re-opposes for Ed Walker and Tom Marquand now, while the Charlie Johnston team are keen on Dubai Mile (14/1), who was fifth in the Guineas at Newmarket and bids to give the trainer success at the first attempt having taken over the licence in a race his father did not manage to win.
Similar sentiments apply to Sprewell (12/1), a commanding winner of the Leopardstown Trial but now faced with faster ground in his quest to give veteran trainer Jessica Harrington an emotional first Derby win after a testing year personally.
Fellow Irish raider White Birch (14/1) looks a player on his Dante second, while outsiders King Of Steel (66/1) for Roger Varian and Dear My Friend (100/1), a second runner for Charlie Johnston, complete the Epsom Derby line-up.