What You Need to Know About Saturday’s Early Start Derby
An estimated 130,000 racegoers are expected to descend on Epsom Downs Racecourse this Saturday for the Derby. Britain’s most valuable flat race dates back to 1780, and it remains the contest every racehorse owner wants to win.
This year the Derby Stakes is worth £1.5 million, with £850,650 awarded to the winner. Restricted to three-year-old colts and fillies and run over one mile and four furlongs, Epsom’s course poses a unique challenge. It is an undulating track, and camber in the home straight makes late wide challenges difficult.
Frankie Dettori, pictured winning at Chester on Arrest, will ride in the Derby for a final time this year. ©GettyImages
2023 is a wide-open year. Trials on heavy going and an artificial surface (the Lingfield Derby Trial) plus a muddling Dante Stakes (traditionally the best Derby form pointer) have clouded the Betfred Derby picture. Furthermore, the ante-post favourite, Auguste Rodin, was beaten over 20 lengths in his seasonal debut in the 2000 Guineas.
Here are the things you should know about the 2023 Derby, including TV times, rider and trainer stats, plus an each-way tip for the famous classic contest.
How can I Watch the Derby?
The race will be broadcast live on ITV1 as part of the channel’s comprehensive coverage of the two-day Derby Day meeting. Presented by Ed Chamberlin, it will also be streamed on ITV+. The best live streaming betting sites will cover all races on Epsom’s card beginning at 12.50 pm and concluding at 5.05 pm. The subscription channel, Racing TV, will also cover the action from the Surrey racecourse.
What Time Does the Derby Start?
In a radical break from tradition, the 2023 Derby is scheduled for a 1.30 pm off time. It will be the second contest on an eight-race card. The change of start time has been made to avoid a clash with the FA Cup final.
Who Are the Best Derby Trainers?
Aidan O’Brien is the Derby’s all-time most successful trainer. He has won the race eight times with Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentine (2020).
This year O’Brien will saddle Auguste Rodin, Adelaide River and San Antonio. Like many horses trained at O’Brien’s Ballydoyle Stables, they are named after places or historical characters. Auguste Rodin, born in 1840, was a French sculptor who is generally considered the founder of modern sculpture.
Sir Michael Stoute is another trainer with an exceptional Derby record who has a runner in this year’s race. The 77-year-old first won the Derby in 1981 with the legendary Shergar. His sixth and most recent success came 12 months ago courtesy of Desert Crown. In 2023 the ten-time Champion Trainer is responsible for Passenger.
What Jockeys Should I Look Out For?
Frankie Dettori, who is retiring at the end of the year, will have his final Derby ride aboard Arrest. The Italian has won the Derby twice – in 2007 aboard Authorized and in 2015 riding Golden Horn – and he is sure to be popular with recreational punters.
Frankie Dettori has made his mark on British horse racing – not least on the Duchess Stand at Epsom Downs Racecourse (pictured) – and he would be a very popular winner of Saturday’s Derby. ©GettyImages
Ryan Moore is a two-time Derby-winning rider who has won every British classic at least twice. It is ten years since he last won the Derby, but he appears to have a strong chance aboard this year’s favourite, Auguste Rodin.
Seamie Heffernan is another Derby-winning rider with an impressive CV. The Irishman has won the Irish Derby four times and took the Epsom classic in 2019 aboard Anthony Van Dyck. Adelaide River is his mount on Saturday.
Oisin Murphy has won two classic races – the 2020 2000 Guineas and 2023’s 1000 Guineas – but the 27-year-old has been British Champion Jockey three times and his 17 winners this season have yielded a profit to level stakes. He rides the Dante winner, The Foxes, in the big race.
What Is the Best Draw for a Derby Runner?
In most flat races – particularly those around a bend or two – a low draw is considered advantageous. However, the Derby course is a horseshoe shape that gives the advantage to horses drawn away from the inside running rail.
Starting stalls were first used for the 1967 Derby. Since then, stall number 10 has enjoyed outstanding success. It has produced 10 Derby winners – most recently Masar in 2018. Overall high numbers are considered advantageous, and 10 of the last 12 Derby winners were drawn in stall 7 or higher.
What Is the Best Bet for Saturday’s Race
Passenger was denied a clear run and appeared an unlucky loser in the Dante Stakes behind The Foxes and White Birch. The race has produced 11 winners of the Epsom classic, including last year’s Derby hero, Desert Crown.
The Foxes wins the Dante!
The Foxes stays on best of all under @oismurphy to repel the late challenge of White Birch in the closing stages of the Group 2 @ABE_Dubai Dante Stakes!
Have we seen the Derby winner? @AndrewBalding2 | @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/MVBxF2uzOe
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2023
Interestingly, only one horse has been beaten in the Dante and won the Derby. That was Workforce in 2010. Like Passenger, he too was just once raced (ahead of the Dante) and was also trained by Sir Michael Stoute.
Knowing exactly what is required to win a Derby, Stoute’s decision to run another lightly raced horse in the classic must be respected. So, with bags of potential allied to a draw in stall 7, Passenger is our idea of an excellent each-way play at the 6/1 odds currently on offer with the best Epsom Derby betting sites.
