Epsom Derby Tips & Predictions
Date | Saturday June 3, 2018 |
Track | Epsom Downs |
Distance | 2420m |
Class | Group 1 |
Race Type | Set weights |
Prizemoney | £1.625 million |
Age | 3YO |
Alternate names | Investec Derby/The Derby |
{Back the horses that have experience at Epsom Downs. It's not an easy circuit to navigate and the final turn can decide who wins.
It's a stallion-making race so look for the runners most likely to be sent to stud.}
Worth £1.625 million, the Epsom Derby is one of the biggest races in Europe.
Held at Epsom Downs every June as a part of the Oaks/Derby two-day festival, the Derby attracts huge crowds and it currently holds the title of Britain's richest race.
Epsom Derby betting card 2018
There are seven premier races on Derby Day at Epsom, including the Group 1 Diomed Stakes and Listed Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Race No. | Race Name |
---|---|
1 | Private Banking Handicap |
2 | Princess Elizabeth Stakes |
3 | Diomed Stakes |
4 | Investec Dash |
5 | Epsom Derby |
6 | Zebra Handicap |
7 | Investec Handicap |
Epsom Derby betting selections & tips
We will have expert tips for the Epsom Derby available when the final-field markets are released by bookmakers.
Punters can place futures' bets in the Epsom Derby throughout the year with most online bookmakers.
Epsom Derby history
The Epsom Derby came about at the celebration of the Epsom Oaks in 1779.
Named in honour of the party host, 12th Earl of Derby, the race was first run in 1780 and it was taken out by Diomed, of which the Diomed Stakes takes its name from.
The Derby name caught on around the world and inspired the likes of the Australian Derby, New Zealand Derby and Kentucky Derby, despite the latter having a different pronunciation.
The Epsom Derby used to be run on a Wednesday or Thursday as a part of the Epsom Fair where entertainment acts would come from all around London to perform.
In the latter half of the 20th century Derby Day became less popular and the move was made to run the race on a Saturday.
Champion jockey Lester Piggott made the Derby his own with nine wins. Some of his more memorable wins came aboard Nijinsky, Sir Ivor and The Minstrel.
Three trainers have won the Derby on seven occasions. Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling all had great success in the Derby.
The ownership pairing of Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor have owned seven winners and it's a great list of champion winners and future stallions.
Galileo, High Chaparral and Pour Moi all became top stallions and are still producing some of the world's best progeny.
The great Shergar holds the record for length of winning margin. He scored by 10 lengths in 1981.
It's extremely popular in modern-day culture with various movies and T.V shows featuring the Epsom Derby, especially BBC drama Peaky Blinders, where horse racing is prominent throughout.
Epsom Derby betting guide
There was an upset result in 2017 when Wings of Eagles scored at odds of 30/1 for Aidan O'Brien.
The son of Pour Moi upset the likes of Cliffs of Moher and Cracksman when scoring the famous victory at Epsom Downs.
Harzand was another upset winner in 2016 when winning at odds of 10/1. It was able to defeat the highly-fancied US Army Ranger which finished into second.
The favourites dominated the race in 2015 with globetrotting Golden Horn winning at 9/5 over second favourite Jack Hobbs (9/2).
Despite the odd upset result, favourites go well in the Derby. Australia was a 3/2 winner in 2014 and it landed a huge betting plunge.
It pays to follow the O'Brien stable, like most Classic races. O'Brien has won six Epsom Derbies and he has the ability to place his runners perfectly.
It's another race where the big stables often win, but the small trainers have their chance and there's always room for an upset result.
Punters love Derby Day as the fields are top-quality and the Derby entrants are some of the best stock in Europe.
Epsom Derby track report
Running at Epsom Downs isn't easy for the three-year-old's, so knowing which horses handle the track is key.
The Epsom track is a horse shoe shape and it's very undulating. One of the reasons why international thoroughbreds don't come over to compete is because the tracks are so vastly different.
It takes a big effort to win at Epsom over the Derby distance and the final bend is particularly tricky for horses that haven't raced there before.
It goes down a steep hill and that creates problems for some horses. Many people say Epsom is the worst place to host the Derby, but that's why it's one of the hardest races to win and why we love betting on it.
Recent Epsom Derby winners
Year | Race Winner |
---|---|
2017 | Wings of Eagles |
2016 | Harzand |
2015 | Golden Horn |
2014 | Australia |
2013 | Ruler of the World |
2012 | Camelot |
2011 | Pour Moi |
2010 | Workforce |
2009 | Sea The Stars |
2008 | New Approach |
2007 | Authorized |
2006 | Sir Percy |
2005 | Motivator |
2004 | North Light |
2003 | Kris Kin |
2002 | High Chaparral |
2001 | Galileo |
2000 | Sinndar |
1999 | Oath |
1998 | High-Rise |
1997 | Benny the Dip |
1996 | Shaamit |
1995 | Lammtarra |
1994 | Erhaab |
1993 | Commander in Chief |
1992 | Dr Devious |
1991 | Generous |
1990 | Quest for Fame |
1989 | Nashwan |
1988 | Kahyasi |