Epsom Derby: Military Order profile

Military Order is a three-time race winner for trainer Charlie Appleby, but can he live up to the hype and win The Derby in 2023?

A string of impressive performances means that the three-year-old is amongst the favourites for The Derby at Epsom Downs and connections are hopeful of victory in the Classic.

Military Order continues to progress

Connections of Military Order will undoubtedly be excited ahead of a busy summer schedule, but it has not been plain sailing throughout his career.

The son of Frankel started his career at Newmarket in October 2022, but he could only finish fourth in the Weatherbys Print And Design Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs.

Enfjaar, Arabian Storm and Bodorgan all finished in front of Military Order on that occasion, but the form looks good, with the latter two both winning since that date.

Military Order clearly learned from that experience, as he was a winner just 18 days later, triumphing at HQ over one mile under jockey William Buick. The step up in trip worked wonders for Appleby's runner, and he has continued to shine in 2023.

Military Order on the hunt for win No.4

After winning his first race in October, Military Order was given a 184-day break by connections and Appleby, returning at Newbury last month.

He showed he could win on soft ground, beating Exoplanet by four lengths over one mile and two furlongs.

That win was no fluke either, as the Godolphin-owned charge then won at Lingfield in the Derby trial to put himself in a prime position to win the feature race at Epsom Downs.

What was even more impressive about Military Order's win was his ability to step up to one mile four furlongs and to perform on the all-weather track.

The card at Lingfield was switched from the turf course due to a waterlogged track, but Military Order showcased his skills on another surface at a different trip.

The brother of Adayar has now gone one better than his sibling, who finished second in 2021 before then winning The Derby at Epsom a month later.

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History beckons for Military Order

The names Galileo and Sea The Stars are synonymous with horse racing, and they were the last siblings to win the Derby in 2001 and 2009.

A victory for Military Order would hand Godolphin and Appleby a repeat success in The Derby, and Appleby's assistant, Alex Merriam, claims this year's antepost favourite has a better profile than his sibling.

He told reporters after the Lingfield success: "I just felt it took him a while to get rolling, but he's seen it out nicely in the end, and you've got to be happy with that.

"It's all systems go for the Derby.  He's big, probably a similar size to Adayar, but probably just a sharper model."

Should Military Order live up to the hype, connections will be celebrating another milestone victory, and at 7/2, there's still some value in the price.

Auguste Rodin from Aidan O'Brien's stable is the favourite in the market at 5/2, but his disappointing showing at Newmarket last month should give Military Order's team a huge boost of confidence.