The Derby of all Derbies: The Epsom Derby
Race Information
Date: Sunday, June 7th
Racecourse: Epsom Downs, Surrey, UK
Race Class: Group 1
Conditions: 3yo
Surface: Turf
Distance: Roughly 1 ½ miles (2400m)
Prizemoney: £2 million
Jockey Ryan Moore (left) and trainer of horse City Of Troy, Aidan O'Brien with the trophy after victory in the Betfred Derby. Picture date: Saturday June 1, 2024. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
History
One of the most historic races on the planet and the most prestigious in the UK, the Epsom Derby is the original ‘Derby’. First run in 1780, ‘The Derby’, as it is commonly referred to in Great Britain, is the joint-richest race in the UK.
The race serves as the second leg of the traditional English Triple Crown, preceded by the 2000 Guineas and followed by the St Leger. However, in the modern era, the Triple Crown is rarely attempted due to the immense physical demands it places on a horse and the shifting priorities towards commercial breeding.
In 1931, The Derby became the world’s first outdoor sporting event to be televised and to this day remains one of Britain’s major national sporting events.
Not only is The Derby rich with history and prestige, but its influence on the world of Horse Racing is unmatched. For the winner, they become a highly-sought after multi-million-dollar stallion, not just in the UK, but all across the world. Former winners Galileo and High Chaparral have become elite stallions, they can be found in almost every European thoroughbred’s bloodline.
Most recently, City of Troy (the 2024 winner) and Auguste Rodin (the 2023 winner) have both seen their influence extend across the globe, with their services shuttled from Ireland to the USA, New Zealand, and Australia.
Legendary Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien holds the record for the most wins (11) by a trainer, his first was in 2001 with Galileo, while the late Lester Piggott holds the record for most wins by a jockey with nine Derby victories.
This year’s renewal of The Derby will feature 14 runners, four of which are trained by Aidan O’Brien as he looks to secure his fourth consecutive triumph. O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini, a colt by the legendary Frankel, is currently the pre-race favourite.
EPSOM, ENGLAND - JUNE 7: Jockey, Wayne Lordan on Lambourn leads the Betfred Derby during Derby Day at the The Betfred Derby Festival 2025 at Epsom Downs Racecourse on June 7, 2025 in Epsom, England. (Photo by Sam Mellish/Getty Images)
