The Epsom Derby is a British Classic that takes place annually in the UK. It features the leading three-year-old colts, as they bid to add their name to the history boards in horse racing. It is also the second leg of the UK Triple Crown.
Run over the distance of one mile and four furlongs, unlike the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas, the two British Classics before the Derby, it is a stamina test. The race takes place at Epsom Racecourse, and it is one of the top 10 prestigious races on the Flat in Europe.
Military Order Heads the Field
As of the 17th of May, Military Order is the 7/2 favourite in the sports betting market for the 2023 Epsom Derby. He has held that position ever since his victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial, a race which was switched to the all-weather surface at Lingfield Park Racecourse due to a waterlogged course.
The son of Frankel is trained by Charlie Appleby, a two-time winner of the Derby and he is owned by Godolphin, an operation that has also been successful on two occasions in the most prestigious race in the UK horse racing calendar.
Military Order is a brother to 2021 Derby winner Adayar. He has already shown that the 1m4f distance is within his stamina, as he battled well in the closing stages of Lingfield in the trial for the British Classic.
Auguste Rodin Represents Aidan O’Brien’s Best Chance This Year
No trainer has won the Epsom more times than Aidan O’Brien. His biography shows that he prevailed for the eighth time when Serpentine scored in 2020. His best chance in 2023 is set to be with Auguste Rodin, as he bids to extend his record in the race.
Big future for this one! 🤩
Auguste Rodin cruises to the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes 🥇
A record-breaking 11TH win in the race of Aidan O’Brien! #ITVRacing | @DoncasterRaces | @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/pUzLl65Van
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 22, 2022
Auguste Rodin has been considered a Derby contender from very early into his two-year-old campaign. He had wins in Ireland at Naas and Leopardstown before coming across to the UK for the Group One Vertem Futurity Stakes. The Ballydoyle runner won that leading juvenile contest in style at Doncaster.
O’Brien’s latest star colt has featured once already this season. He was disappointed when he ran in the opening British Classic of the year, the 2,000 Guineas. The Irish horse could only finish 12th of 14 runners in that contest at Newmarket. He is expected to improve for the step up in distance when he features at Epsom.
Arrest The Last Chance for Dettori to Win the Derby
Frankie Dettori is one of the greatest jockeys of all time, and he is set to hang his saddle up at the end of this season. The Italian rider’s last appearance in the Derby is set to be on board Arrest, the winner of the Chester Vase.
A farewell winner on the Roodee for @FrankieDettori 🙌
Arrest wins the Boodles @ChesterRaces Vase with ease for the Gosdens and @JuddmonteFarms… pic.twitter.com/LtygIXzK98
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 10, 2023
The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt has won three of his five races so far. His victory at Chester’s May Meeting came in a Group Three contest over the extended 1m4f distance. He scored by just over six lengths in a dominant performance.
Connections of Arrest will be hoping to see some rainfall just before the Derby as their horse showed a liking for soft ground. If he replicates what he produced at Chester, he could give Dettori a magical final run in the Epsom feature.
Sprewell Set to Make the Trip from Ireland
It has been an excellent start to the season for Sprewell who has emerged as a Derby contender following back-to-back victories in Ireland. He broke his maiden in a three-year-old contest at Naas back in April. Jessica Harrington’s runner then stepped up in distance to land the Group Three Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown over 1m2f.
Irish horses have fared well in the Derby in recent years. Harrington’s horse will travel will from Ireland with an excellent chance of continuing that impressive record. Her horse was clear of the field on his latest outing at Leopardstown. He looked as though an extra two furlongs would not be a problem for him.
This year’s Epsom Derby will be the 244th renewal of the British Classic in history. The winner is likely to go on to appear at Royal Ascot and in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris later in the campaign.
