The Epsom Derby, sometimes referred to simply as the Derby, is a Group One flat racing event open to 3-year-old colts and fillies.
It is run at Epsom Downs each year and is Britain’s richest flat horse race. It is also the most prestigious race of England’s Classics, with a huge prize purse up for grabs. The Epsom Derby is also the middle leg of the Triple Crown of British horse racing, sandwiched between the 2000 Guineas and the St Leger.
Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori have famously won here on numerous occasions. But who’s in line to win the 2024 Derby?
Here, we consider the 2024 runners and examine the trends ahead of the 2024 race. We also explain how to create an account and bet on the Epsom Derby at talkSPORT BET.
Who is the Favourite for the Epsom Derby 2024?
City of Troy is the 7/2* ante-post favourite for the 2024 Epsom Derby. Trained by A P O’Brien, City of Troy won the Class One Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes under jockey Ryan Moore. This was preceded by a Class One win in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket in July, marking the bay colt’s incredible pedigree.
The second favourite for the Derby is Arabian Crown, at odds of 4/1*. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Arabian Crown has won each of his last four races under jockey William Buick. This included his Class One triumph in the Classic Trial at Sandown in April 2024 and his Class One win at the Ghaiyyath Zetland Stakes at Newmarket last October.
We’ve priced Henry Longfellow at 8/1, rounding off the top three runners for the Epsom Derby. The 2-year-old bay colt has gone well in his three outings at Curragh, winning under Ryan Moore on each occasion, including in the prestigious Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes in September 2023.
Here’s a full run-down of the top ten runners likely to do well in this year’s Epsom Derby:
| Horse | Odds |
| City of Troy | 7/2* |
| Arabian Crown | 4/1* |
| Henry Longfellow | 8/1* |
| Diego Velazquez | 10/1* |
| Ancient Wisdom | 11/1* |
| Los Angeles | 16/1* |
| Gods Window | 20/1* |
| Capulet | 25/1* |
| Illinois | 33/1* |
| Dallas Star | 33/1* |
Potential Outsiders to Watch
We like A P O’Brien’s Los Angeles at 16/1*. The bay colt has two wins from his first two races, winning first at Tipperary and then again at Saint-Cloud. Though relatively inexperienced, he has impressed in his outings so far.
3-year-old Capulet is another one to watch at 25/1*. He finished third in the Class 2 Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes at Chelmsford in April under Ryan Moore and is another A P O’Brien colt looking to go well in Surrey this May.
Best Trainers at the Epsom Derby
The most successful trainer in Epsom Derby history is A P O’Brien, with nine wins to his name. His first triumph came with Galileo (2001), followed by High Chaparral (2002).
In the past 20 Epsom Derbies, A P O’Brien has trained the winner on seven occasions. His wins came from Camelot (2012), Ruler Of The World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019), Serpentine (2020), and Auguste Rodin (2023).
Sir Michael Stoute has three wins in the past 20 Derbies, while Charlie Appleby has two.
Best Jockeys
The legendary Lester Piggott has the most Epsom Derby wins, with nine titles. He famously rode Never Say Die in 1954 and Nijinsky in 1970.
In the past 20 renewals, Ryan Moore is the most successful jockey, recording three wins with Workforce (2010), Ruler Of The World (2013), and Auguste Rodin (2023).
Frankie Dettori has two wins in the past 20 races, though we might not see him return to the derby again after announcing his retirement last year.
Epsom Derby Trend Analysis
The most impressive trend factor producing 10+ winners in the Epsom Derby is when runners have the highest-class run of Class One.
As for stallions, Galileo has produced five winners, Montjeu has produced four winners, and Cape Cross has produced two winners.
The winner with the highest odds in the past 20 Epsom Derbies was Wings of Eagles, whose 2017 triumph came at odds of 40/1.
How often have favourites won over the last 20 years?
In the past 20 races, the favourite has won on seven separate occasions. The last favourite to win the Derby was Desert Crown, when he rode to victory as the 5/2 favourite in 2022. Here’s how the favourite has fared in the past ten Epsom Derbies:
| Year | Favourite & Odds | Position |
| 2023 | Arrest 4/1 | 10th |
| 2022 | Desert Crown 5/2 | 1st |
| 2021 | Bolshoi Ballet 11/8 | 7th |
| 2020 | Kameko 5/2 | 4th |
| 2019 | Sir Dragonet 11/4 | 5th |
| 2018 | Saxon Warrior 4/5 | 4th |
| 2017 | Cracksman 7/2 | 3rd |
| 2016 | US Army Ranger 7/2 | 2nd |
| 2015 | Golden Horn 13/8 | 1st |
| 2014 | Australia 11/8 | 1st |
Where did the winners run last time out?
The courses to produce the most Epsom Derby winners are Newmarket (Rowley) and York, with each racecourse producing six eventual winners of the Derby. This could be a viable trend to look to again this year as you pick your Derby winner.
Bet on the Epsom Derby at Parimatch
talkSPORT BET is the number one sportsbook for horse racing odds. We offer ante-post odds and race day specials on all major horse racing events, including the Epsom Derby. We also provide excellent Epsom Oaks odds.
To bet on horse racing and to access the best Epsom Derby odds, follow these simple steps to create an account at talkSPORT Bet. Then, you can deposit real money to back your favourite to win.
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*Odds correct at the time of writing and subject to change
