Epsom Derby Festival 2025 betting preview

The Flat season is in full swing and all eyes will be on the action at the Epsom Derby Festival at the end of the week for the world’s most famous Classic - the Betfred Derby. 

Millions across the world will be tuning in on Saturday to see which colt emerges victorious in the prestigious mile and a half contest which dates back to 1780.

Twenty four hours earlier it will be the turn of the fillies to strut their stuff in the Betfred Oaks, which is one of two Group One races on the card, alongside the Betfred Coronation Cup. 

And those that like to get stuck into the puzzle of unpicking a tricky handicap have plenty of races to pick from across both days - including the Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap, which is staged over one of the fastest five-furlong tracks in the country. 

Check out FIRST's selection of the best horse racing betting sites to be a part of the Epsom Derby Festival action and claim your free bets.

Derby Festival at Epsom 2025: Day One

The main event on the opening day of the meeting is the Betfred Oaks, which this year has attracted a field of just nine runners.

Heading the betting for the race is the Charlie Appleby-trained Desert Flower, who will bid to become the 50th horse to win both the Betfred 1000 Guineas and Betfred Oaks in the same season. 

Aidan O’Brien is often a trainer to follow in the race having won it 10 times in the past, and he will be represented by Minnie Hauk, Giselle and Whirl this year. 

Away from the Classic action French ace Calandagan is odds-on to secure a breakthrough Group One success in the Betfred Coronation Cup. 

However, while the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained runner is a short price to strike gold at the highest level for the first time, he won’t have things his own way with the likes of last year’s Betfred St Leger winner Jan Brueghel, from the O’Brien yard, in opposition. 

Watch: Trainer James Owen discusses Rogue Impact's chances in the Betfred Derby

FIRST’s top tip Jan Brueghel to win the Coronation Cup (7/2 with Betfred)

Jan Brueghel enjoyed an unbeaten campaign last season, culminating with victory in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster. 

Although he was sent off odds-on for his return to action in the Group Three Tote.ie Alleged Stakes at the Curragh last month, he could only finish second. However that run is likely to have blown the cobwebs away.

That race was over 10 furlongs, which was arguably a trip too short for this strong stayer, who should be much happier back over a mile and a half. 

Although the son of Galileo is quite a big unit, he showed he can handle an undulating track when scoring in the Group Three John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last year. Behind him was the re-opposing Bellum Justum. 

His chances are further boosted with his trainer Aidan O’Brien currently having sent out a record nine winners of the race. 

Extra tips

The main race of the day is the Betfred Oaks and plenty will be siding with Desert Flower to maintain her unbeaten record. However fellow Godolphin-owned runner Elwateen is worth taking a chance on at a bigger price. 

After winning a Kempton Park maiden in impressive fashion on her debut, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained daughter of Dubawi ran a fine race in defeat to finish fourth in the Betfred 1000 Guineas behind Desert Flower. 

Although not proven with give in the ground, Tawkeel was a Group One winner with soft in the going description, which gives hope she would go well on an easier surface. 

And while her stamina has to be taken on trust, she represents some each-way value on just her third career start. 

Elwateen each-way in the Betfred Oaks, three places, at 11/1 with Ladbrokes. 

Rathgar has nothing to hide from the handicapper, however having run well over course and distance on his penultimate effort he is worth taking a chance on in the Betfred Nifty Handicap over a mile and a quarter. 

His third place effort at Chester can be marked up last time after being drawn out wide in stall 10, and having shown he can handle the undulations of Epsom Downs, he could be tough to pass if getting out in front. 

Rathgar each-way in the Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap, four places, at 12/1 with Coral.

Want more tips? Check out Ted's Treble for the Saturday at Epsom

Derby Festival 2025: Day Two

Attention on the second day of the meeting focuses on the Betfred Derby, which is one of the highlights of the entire flat season. 

Aidan O’Brien is often the man to follow in the big one, having won the race a record 10 times - including 12 months ago with City Of Troy. 

This year the Ballydoyle master will launch a three-strong raid on the race with Delacroix, Lambourn and The Lion In Winter. 

Charlie Appleby has won the race twice and he will rely on this year’s Betfred 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court, who will bid to become the first horse since Camelot in 2012 to win both races. 

Since the turn of the century the race has been won by nine favourites, however in that time there have also been four winners that have started at odds of 16-1 or bigger.

The draw is also important, with no winners (since stalls were used in the race in 1967) coming out of stalls two, 11 and 16. Stall 10 has proven to be the best draw, with 11 winners emerging from that gate. 

FIRST’s top tip Lambourn each-way in the Betfred Derby, three places (12/1 with Ladbrokes)

As it stands Lambourn is least fancied of trainer Aidan O’Brien’s three runners in the race, but his victory in the Boodles Chester Vase last time out suggests he will be on the premises. 

A draw in stall 19 for his stablemate, and long time ante-post favourite for the race, The Lion In Winter, will make like tricky. And although fellow O’Brien inmate Delacroix - who is near the head of the betting should get the trip on pedigree - he is yet to be proven over it. 

Although Lambourn finished behind Delacroix on his return to action, over a mile and a quarter in the Group Three P.W. McGrath Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown, he appeared a little outpaced that day before staying on strongly which suggested he would be better over further as he showed at Chester. 

Any ease in the ground will not be an issue with the son of Australia claiming a Listed contest on soft ground in France last year, while he has the plum draw in stall 10, which further strengthens his chances.

Extra tips

Stamina looks to be the key to Nightwalker, given the way he finished over an extended mile and a quarter in the Group Two Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York. 

A slow start cost him a better finish than his final result of fifth on that occasion, but connections have reached for the cheekpieces in order to help him travel that bit kinder.

After coming through a recent spin at the track with flying colours, the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Frankel is more than capable of reaching the frame at a tasty price. 

Nightwalker each-way in the Betfred Derby, four places, at 25/1 with Betfred. 

Persica failed to make any impact at Group One level in the BoyleSports Lockinge at Newbury on his latest start but, back down in calmer waters, he can make his mark here. 

The Richard Hannon-trained son of New Bay was an impressive winner at Group Three level over nine furlongs in the bet365 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket on his return. 

Ryan Moore was on board that day, and he has been snapped up to ride him here which looks a significant pointer. 

The ground likely to be on the easy side of good, which is another plus given his best form has come with juice in the ground, while he was a winner at the meeting last year, albeit in handicap company, which shows he can act around the track. 

Persica to win the Betfred Diomed Stakes at 9/4 with Betfred.

Odds correct at the time of writing.