Delacroix heads runners for Derby at Epsom

Betfred Derby 2025

Epsom Racecourse Location: Saturday, June 7th, 2015 30 BST

As a field of 19 was designated for the Saturday Derby at Epsom, Delacroix and Ruling Court lead the way.

Delacroix, along with The Lion In Winter and Lambourn, is a potential contender for Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s record-breaking 11th Classic victory.

The O’Brien-trained Puppet Master was the only one who was withdrawn from Wednesday’s final declaration stage.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will compete to win the Derby for the first time since Camelot in 2012 in the form of Ruling Court.

Ralph Beckett, who also owns Stanhope Gardens, has two entries for the Dante Stakes, while John and Thady Gosden manage York’s runner-up Damysus and the fifth-placed Nightwalker.

Declarations were delayed one day to allow for a quicker build-up for the race, which is only for three-year-old horses, so they closed at the 72-hour stage for the first time this year.

Approximate Derby odds: 5-2 Delacroix, 7-2 Ruling Court, 5-1 Pride Of Arras, 6-1 The Lion In Winter, 12-1 Damysus, 14-1 Lambourn, Midak, 16-1 Stanhope Gardens, 20-1 Bar.

After winning two Derby matches at Leopardstown, Delacroix was declared the ante-post favorite, but it’s not yet known if stable jockey Ryan Moore will ride.

The Lion In Winter, who was odds-on favorite in the Dante, is expected to improve for that run, according to Moore.

After winning the 1000 Guineas with Desert Flower, who is the favorite for the Oaks on Friday, William Buick will work with Ruling Court as the jockey and trainer Appleby seeks further Classic success.

Saeed bin Suroor, a fellow Godolphin trainer, is the representative of Tornado Alert, who finished fourth in the 2000 Guineas.

Owners Juddmonte and Nightwalker have added French rival New Ground for a $ 75, 000 supplementary fee.

The Aga Khan IV, who owned legendary Derby winner Shergar before passing away in February, will also be represented in the race, who trained Midak, who will carry the Aga Khan Studs’ colors.

Al Wasl Storm, Nightime Dancer, Rogue Impact, Sea Scout, Tennessee Stud, and Tuscan Hills complete the field for Charlie Johnston on a two-man basis with Lazy Griff and Green Storm.