It is finally here, the Epsom Derby. Horse Racing's equivalent of the FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon Final, Monaco Grand Prix or the Ashes, the sporting contest that everyone involved in wants to win. A legacy builder, a history creator, stallion maker and lifetime ambition breaker, the Epsom Derby is the ultimate challenge of ability, stamina and bravery of both horse and rider which will be over in just under three minutes of action. From the first ever recorded running of this great race in 1790, decades, centuries and a millennium have all passed, but the contest remains the biggest prize in racing. 

The fabled history of mesmerising equine performances such as Shergar's ten length demolition in 1981, Nijinsky's second leg of his Triple Crown success in 1970, Aidan O'Brien's dominance since the year 2000 and many more have helped solidify the Epsom Derby into the hearts and minds of sports fans young and old. In some aspects, the Epsom Derby may not hold the same prestige as it did during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, but for the winning jockey; the thrill of seeing their name carved into the trophy will never grow old. 

Located just south east of London, the Epsom Downs has seen racing take place since 1661 and still remains a fierce challenge to those competing today. Starting at the furthest point away from the stands at the mile and a half point, the runners are always climbing uphill from the stalls. After two furlongs, the course begins to drift right handed underneath the trees which sees those drawn low reach the apex of the bend, but the inside running rail favours those drawn high . The field then converge on the left hand side of the course as they continue to climb the metaphorical mountain. Eventually, the runners hit the peak of the incline, but their next challenge awaits. The track bends around to the left and then starts to fall away with the sharp descent of Tattenham Corner. This famous landmark tests the patience of a jockey. Wait for too long and lose postion or quicken too early and be vulnerable in the final stages. The Derby can be won or lost here. As the horses straight up for the home finish, it is far from a normal straight. The final two furlongs sees another gradual climb skywards, but the home straight is cambered from right to left. That can often lead to tired horses drifting towards the inside rail, but it can also inspire others. Pour Moi's last gasp win in 2011 and Worforce's course record time victory in 2010 are prime examples of memorable moments of the Derby.

2025's race saw a wide open affair with plenty of challengers staking their claim. Under a stormy sky, it was Lambourn who made all the running under Wayne Lordan around the twists and turns before galloping on relentlessly to Derby folklore. He had won the Chester Vase on his previous start which prepared him for the test of Epsom and he would go on to double up in the Irish Derby on his next start. Now it would be the time for the history books to open up for this year's inductee. 

The Contenders:

1) - ACTION - Sire: Frankel - Dam - Gossamer Wings - Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ireland) - Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Action is definitely bred for the job at Epsom as he leads the traditional army of challengers from the Aidan O'Brien stable. The flashy chestnut is the half brother to Lambourn, last season's champion, so he will look to emulate his sibling on the biggest stage. The son of Frankel caught the eye on his debut with a strong finish into third at the Curragh, only beaten three quarters of a length that day. He made no mistake next time with a powerful galloping win at Galway to break his maiden tag before Group races were on the horizon. Once again, he would show his potential in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in September, briefly hampered in the "Dip" before staying on again into third; two places behind the future Guineas winner Bow Echo. Next up would be Doncaster for the final Group One of 2025, the Futurity Trophy. Racing on heavy ground and taking on a couple of his stablemates, Action would stick to the task gamely and went down by half a length into second behind Hawk Mountain. His three year old season hasn't gone without a hitch however; a slightly moody display came in Sandown's Classic Trial when fourth in April, but he improved for it next time in the all important Dante Stakes at York, a key trial for the Derby. Making the running this time, Action kept finding under pressure and found the reopposing Item too strong in the final furlong. He looks to be a proper, galloping front running sort who could get into a good rhythm around this course and be hard to catch if at his best.
Last year's winning rider Wayne Lordan takes the ride in what will be a topical ride on the half brother to last year's winner. Lordan has been a key member of the Ballydoyle stable, regularly taking the "second string" ride for the O'Brien operation. This season, he has chosen his mounts smartly, winning the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket - the second Classic of the year - on True Love before making it a double in the Irish 1000 Guineas, steering home Precise to a brilliant win. He will be hoping for an impressive third Classic of 2026. 

2) - ALDERMAN - Sire: Study Of Man - Dam: Alagappa - Trainer: Richard Hannon - Jockey: Pat Dobbs

It isn't out of the ordinary for maidens to compete in the Derby, but even rarer that they end up winning. Hoping to end that stat would be the Richard Hannon-trained Alderman, who has improved with each run to date. A son of the well bred French Derby winner Study Of Man, Aldeman is one of the latest products of the Lanwades Stud. From the family of the very smart ten furlong winner Harrovian, his pedigree stretches back to the top class mare Alborada. There would be a question on his stamina for this test, but there is only one Epsom Derby. The colt made his debut back in August in a low key maiden at Sandown on soft ground. He was slowly away from his stall and was always playing catch-up, eventually weakening into seventh on his first day at school. There would be minor improvement on his next run; this time on the all-weather at Kempton. Leading from the gates this time around, he was left behind by the smart winner Nation's Hope in third, but it was still a better effort. He would return to action in April this year; once again in novice company. Lining up at Newbury over a mile and three furlongs, it would be the furthest distance he has raced over and was held up at the rear this time. The eventual winner Water To Wine travelled and finished powerfully in the style of a top class prospect, but Alderman made good late progress into second - seemingly suited by the extra distance. Alderman lacks the winning experience for a Derby and should make into a talented horse in the future, but this test might be a step too far at this stage in his career.
The highly experienced Pat Dobbs has been a journeyman of the weighing room, taking up a prominent position with the Richard Hannon stable. The Irishman's biggest moment in the saddle came at this meeting eleven years ago when scoring in the Coronation Cup here in 2015 with Pethers Moon, his first and only UK Group One winner to date. 2015 was also his biggest year for winners, scoring 64 times as well as riding in the Derby for the first time that season. A "Mr Reliable" type of rider, a win this year would be a major shock to punters, but a much belated dream come true for Dobbs. 

3) - ANCIENT EGYPT - Sire: Frankel - Dam: Atone - Trainer: Charlie Johnston - Jockey: David Egan

The British have struggled to break down Aidan O'Brien's dominance of the Derby in this modern era, with the latest home win coming in 2022. This year, Britain have a potential dark horse whose chances are seemingly growing in confidence after a recent gallop on this course; Ancient Egypt. Trained in the North Yorkshire training hub of Middleham, the colt hails from the Charlie Johnston stable. Neither Charlie nor his father Mark have been able to win the biggest Classic of the year, but they have been supported by big spending owners Amo Racing with this son of Frankel. One of the greatest horses of all time didn't run in the Derby and has yet to sire a Derby winner, but it looks to be a matter of time. There is hope for staying this distance as Ancient Egypt is from the family of the top class Midday, runner up in the Epsom Oaks and a multiple Group One winner. On the track, Ancient Egypt made a perfect start to his career at Beverley, where he looked professional and ground out a narrow win on debut. He would make it two wins from two starts at Goodwood a month later in August, once again doing just enough to win comfortably. A step up in grade came next as he lined up in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket over a mile. It looked a strong renewal of that race, but he still ran a shade flat by taking seventh on the day which turned out to be his final start of the year. He has seemingly grown physically over the winter and is now a stronger, bigger horse. Returning to Newmarket in May this season, he would gallop to a dominant success in a listed contest over a mile and two furlongs. He then "competed" in the traditional Breakfast With The Stars event at Epsom in which a small group of horses stretch their legs on the famous turf. Ancient Egypt looked well balanced and restrained, showing plenty of positives in the process. He could be the Johnston's best hope of ending their Derby hoodoo. 
Amo Racing's retained jockey David Egan would don the all-purple silks in this great race once again. The 26-year-old has already tasted Classic success after he landed the St Leger in 2022 and has become one of the leading riders in recent times. His two best finishes in the Derby have come with the Amo Racing partnership as he finished second in 2021 with Mojo Star and again in 2023 with King Of Steel. Ancient Egypt could be the operation's best chance yet of going one place better this year. 

4) - A TASTE OF GLORY - Sire: Soldier Hollow - Dam: Aothea - Trainer: Andrew Balding - Jockey: Jamie Spencer

The ownership company of Green Team Racing have been staunch supporters of the Epsom Derby since 2020. The Middle Eastern outfit have gone close to Derby glory in recent seasons with runners up Hoo Ya Mal and Khalifa Sat with a number of excellent runs by Deira Mile and Sayedaty Sayedaty in 2024. This year, their white and green silks will be carried by Andrew Balding's A Taste Of Glory, who needs to step up on his current form if he is to feature here. There is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, courtesy of the German stallion Soldier Hollow; who won a number of Group Ones in his home country. The German influence continues on his dam side, with more stamina in his lightly raced dam's family. A Taste Of Glory has been successful twice already in his career, but those wins have come at a much lower level. After a pair of fourth places in novice company; including behind Bay of Brilliance on his second start, he would land his first win in a low grade contest at Brighton in early October. He was then fast tracked to the highest level less than a month later as he lined up in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France. He was unsurprisingly well beaten that day, finishing a distance behind the winner Pierre Bonnard. This season, A Taste Of Glory would return to winning ways on his comeback run, this time on Lingfield's all-weather track in a class four handicap in March. A short break  would follow, but he returned to the same venue in May for the Derby Trial; this time on the turf. He would make the running early on in the Group Three contest, but was quickly disposed of by his rivals which included Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance. A Taste Of Glory has built up experience of a tight and twisty track like Epsom and could run well to a point, but it would be a major surprise if he were to find glory on the biggest of stages.
Jamie Spencer will get the leg up on the likely longshot, but his career has been a glittering one. Now at the age of 46, the Irishman can rely on a plethora of experience since his debut. His first Classic win came as a 17 year old in the Irish 1000 Guineas and since then, Spencer has won a whole host of Group One contests. He has yet to win the Epsom Derby with a best recent of fourth in 2014, but he has won an Epsom Classic in 2009 with the brilliant Sariska. This would be a good time to finally add the Derby to his list of achievements.

5) - BALZAC - Sire: Japan - Dam: Brit Wit - Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam - Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa

There has never been a female trained winner of the Epsom Derby in its entire history, but the Newmarket based handler Jane Chapple-Hyam will be hoping to create history with Balzac, a colt she also owns. Like so many of his rivals, there will be an Epsom Derby link to Balzac through his sire Japan, a high class colt over ten furlongs who was also narrowly denied in a five-way photo finish in 2019 where he finished third. On the dam side, out of the unraced mare Brit Wit. Balzac is a half brother to a Royal Ascot winner in the form of Claymore, who landed the Hampton Court Stakes in 2022. Balzac would make his debut towards the end last season, appearing at Newmarket in late September. He outran his expectations on debut and caught the eye in the process; finishing strongly into a a close up third behind the winner Maltese Cross. That would be his only run of his juvenile season and he scored a first win at Kempton in April, drawing clear over a mile and winning smartly. He has since competed in good trial races to book his place in the line up. The first of them came at this course in the Blue Riband Trial at the end of April. Having lost his prominent position halfway through the contest, he stayed on again into a never nearer third behind Saxon Street, who reopposes him here. On his latest start, he would move to Lingfield for their Derby Trial a month ago. He gave connections a few moments of worry by racing keenly in second behind a steady pace, but plugged on into third once again - filling the frame behind Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance. He has to reverse the previous form with three of his opponents here, but he has shown that he handles this tricky circuit and could sneak a middle rank placing and reward his connections' ambitions.
Jockey Silvestre de Sousa was born in Brazil but has been a part of Britain for much of his life. Also into the latter stages of his career at the age of 46, de Sousa is still searching for a first Classic win. The South American has been a reliable pair of hands for a number of trainers and operations; he has built up long standing associations with Mark Johnston and even a spell as rider for Godolphin. A Group One double success would take place in 2013 with Farhh in the Lockinge and Champion Stakes that season and then two years later, he rode Arabian Queen to a shock win in the Juddmonte International. A win here would be just as unexpected but also a part of history for the trainer.

6) - BAY OF BRILLIANCE - Sire: New Bay - Dam: Incroyable - Trainer: Ralph Beckett - Jockey: Hector Crouch

One of Britain's leading trainers Ralph Beckett first broke into the limelight back in 2008 as he landed the Epsom Oaks with the outsider Look Here and then once again in 2013 with Talent. Since then, the Northants based stable has grown in stature and has won at Royal Ascot and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in recent times. 2026 could be his year for the Epsom Derby as he saddles a strong contender in the form of Bay Of Brilliance. A son of the top class sire New Bay, who won the French Derby during his career, Bay of Brilliance also has plenty of quality and stamina in the pedigree as a half brother to Absurde, winner of an Ebor Handicap and County Hurdle and ranks as a top class dual purpose horse. Bay Of Brilliance's stock has been on the rise with each of his four starts and could be coming to his peak at the right time. The Valmont-owned colt made his debut in mid August at Newbury in what has turned out to be a strong novice over seven furlongs. He weakened into fifth that day, but clearly learned a lot and was moved up in distance for his next start. Facing soft ground and ten furlongs for the first time, he was very determined to win at Goodwood, winning a shade more cosily than the official distance of half a length suggested. He then remained in novice contests during the autumn, travelling up to Redcar in the North-East for a similar event. After making the running, he powered clear impressively to defeat Poker by over eight lengths, suggesting he will relish even longer distances. His three year old career began in the Lingfield Derby Trial after a few diversions from the original plans. He was always well positioned to strike, but went eye to eye with Maltese Cross inside the final furlong, just losing out on the bob. It was an excellent effort in defeat and he will only improve further for this second run of the season. 
The talented rider Hector Crouch continues his burgeoning partnership with the Ralph Beckett with a big race ride here. A win here would be a perfect present, just two months before his 30th birthday. A first Classic victory would fall his way in 2024 as he rode You Got To Me to victory in the Irish Oaks for the Beckett stable and last year in the Derby, he had a great spin aboard Stanhope Gardens to fifth. The combination will line up this year with another strong contender with Bay Of Brilliance. 

7) - BENVENUTO CELLINI - Sire: Frankel - Dam: Newspaperofrecord - Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ireland) - Jockey: Ryan Moore

The Epsom Derby in its current guise has been a production line of Aidan O'Brien winners of shapes and quality. With such a huge operation to look after, it is often a lottery to guess which horse is his number one choice for the Epsom Derby each year, but 2026 will see the cards placed firmly on Benvenuto Cellini. The chestnut son of Frankel is easy to spot with a distinctive dash down his face, but he has plenty of ability to go with the looks. He is also a son of the high class American-trained filly Newspaperofrecord, who won at the Breeders' Cup meeting in 2022 and produced Benvenuto Cellini's full sister Giselle, who scored impressively in a Lingfield Oaks Trial last year before finishing fifth in the Oaks. Named after an Italian sculptor, Benvenuto Cellini made his debut in June last year where he was the perceived second string at the Curragh. He chased home Dorset in second and his rival that day had the benefit of a previous race. A first win would come shortly afterwards at Killarney where he impressed with his tactical speed and change of gear. His first experience of Pattern races came in the Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes at the Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown, a race won in the past by subsequent Derby winners Australia and Auguste Rodin. He would dominate a small field that day, drawing well clear to win in excellent style and enter the Derby picture. A first tilt at a Group One saw him line up at Doncaster for the Futurity Trophy, but heavy ground blunted his finishing kick as he kept on into third. He has always been towards the head of the ante-post betting for the Derby, but his position strengthened after a very smooth success in the Chester Vase in May, a path that was taken by Lambourn en route to his Derby victory. Benvenuto Cellini appeared to glide around the tight, undulating track and it was a perfect trial for Epsom. He has taken the right path to get to Epsom and now needs to justify all of the faith placed in him by his trainer.
The choice of ride for Ryan Moore out of the multiple entries for Aidan O'Brien often suggests which horse is the most faniced. The world class rider has won the Derby four times since 2010, which came on the excellent Workforce. 2013 would see Ruler Of The World carry Moore to Derby success again, but it wasn't until 2023 before Moore returned to the winner's enclosure. Augustine Rodin and City Of Troy would be high class winners of the Derby and Benvenuto Cellini will be the decider of Moore's fate this year.  

8) CHRISTMAS DAY - Sire: Camelot - Dam: Beauly - Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ireland) - Jockey: Ronan Whelan

Just a week earlier, the country was bathed in an early summer heatwave which meant the thought of Christmas would be a small one at the back of the minds of many. Come the start of June, Christmas Day has the potential be the topic on everyone's lips with a festive success on the Epsom Downs, but that wouldn't be a shock based on his form. Aidan O'Brien's charge has risen up the pecking order of Ballydoyle's Derby contenders and arrives here with a good chance. The son of 2012's Derby winner Camelot is bred to stay this trip as a half brother to Royal Ascot winner and American Group Three winner Missed The Cut. Christmas Day would make his debut in early August at the prestigious Galway Festival, held on a course that is testing to many horses. Despite this, he finished strongly to take third behind the more experienced stablemate Action as he went into the notebook of a number of onlookers. He then took a step backwards on second start at Tipperary, where he weakened away over an extended nine furlongs into fifth. A first win came at the third attempt at Gowran and it was since then where he his career took off. A first Group win came in the Eyrefield Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown last October where he got up on the line to deny a talented rival. His first start as a three year old saw another step forward as he landed the Ballysax Stakes back at Leopardstown, hitting the line strongly to win over ten furlongs. A few rivals misfired that day, but Christmas Day was a worthy winner at the end and lined up at York for the Dante Stakes last month. His winning spell came to an end, but he would stay on at the same pace into third behind Action and the winner Item and should appreciate the extra yardage of the Epsom Derby. 
The perceived fourth choice of the O'Brien quartet will be ridden by Ronan Whelan; another reliable part of the Ballydoyle set up and is often called upon when the main riders are otherwise engaged. Whelan has also played a role in the development of the stars of the future and 2025 was a breakthrough year for the young Irishman. He would land the Group One Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh last September on Precise and then picked up a spare ride on Hawk Mountain in the Futurity Stakes in October, landing the final Group One of the year. Whelan experienced the Derby for the first time when finishing fourteenth in 2022 so will be hoping for a better run this year. 

9) - ITEM - Sire: Frankel - Dam: Capla Temptress - Trainer: Andrew Balding - Jockey: Colin Keane

Britain's brightest hope for the 2026 Epsom Derby comes in the form of the unbeaten colt Item, who is looking to provide trainer Andrew Balding with a first win in the Classic. The Balding surname is a part of racing folklore thanks to the brilliant Mill Reef in the 1970's, but Item would be the modern day star for this generation. A win here would also be a throwback to the golden days of the Juddmonte operation, whose last win in this race came with Workforce back in 2010. The son of Frankel was brought along quietly as a juvenile and raced just twice in 2025. Item's racecourse debut came on the all-weather at Kempton at a low key September meeting, but those in attendance saw something potentially special as he quickened up smartly to win by three lengths. His education continued with a relatively quick return to the track, this time at Bath three weeks on from his debut. It would be his first try on turf, but he coped very well with it as he bolted up again over a mile. The big juvenile prizes at the end of the season were tempting, but connections opted to let him grow physically over the winter and he wasn't seen out on track until last month's Dante Stakes at York, the main trial race for the Derby. As the race developed, Item still looked inexperienced and drifted across the track as he hit top gear. Despite this, he would gallop on strongly to the line and put daylight between himself and his rivals, winning impressively by nearly four lengths. That was the marking of a potential star and Item now has the opportunity to emulate Desert Crown from 2022 as an unbeaten winner of the race. He faces a big doubt on stamina for this trip, but he holds the hope of the home country on his shoulders. 
Six time Irish Champion Jockey Colin Keane stepped into the role of retained jockey role for the Juddmonte operation in the middle of 2025 and has already stamped his authority on the job. He landed the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes on Field Of Gold with ease before adding more Group One success in these silks with Kalpana later in the season. Twelve months ago, Keane finished down the field on well fancied The Lion In Winter, but will hoping for a better run on this leading contender this year. 

10) - JAMES J BRADDOCK - Sire: Zarak - Dam: Burkina Faso - Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (Ireland) - Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle

Not satisfied with his father Aidan dominating the entries for the Derby this year, Joseph O'Brien would take him on with the promising colt James J Braddock in a family affair. Joseph O'Brien learned his craft from the master trainer Aidan O'Brien and he rode two winners in the Epsom Derby: Camelot in 2012 and Australia in 2014 . As a trainer, Joseph O'Brien has won at the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, a Melbourne Cup and at the Breeders Cup meeting all before the age of 30, so has already achieveved more than other trainers can dream of. His challenger his year would be the improving James J Braddock, who threw his hat into the ring after his latest start. The son of the beautifully bred French Group One winner Zarak, James J Braddock is also a distant relative to the classy staying handicapper and hurdles winner The Reverend. Named after an American professional boxer, the colt will look to provide the knockout blow and land the biggest title. He would make it to the track in the latter stages of last season, lining up at Navan in October. He did very well to finish a close second that day as his jockey lost an iron which hampered his cause. A first win came in November and it came in very easy style, drawing well clear over a mile to win by six lengths. James J Braddock lined up in the Ballysax Stakes in April, a key Irish trial race for the Epsom Derby and wasn't disgraced in fifth having been outpaced at a crucial moment. On his latest start in the Derrinstown Stud Stakes at Leopardstown, he showed plenty of staying power to get up close home in a blanket finish, denying Pierre Bonnard and Endorsement in the process. This will be another big step up for James J Braddock, but his progress from race to race shows that he holds every right to be here. 

The partner of Joseph O'Brien and current Irish Champion Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle has continued to flourish in recent seasons and the pair arrive on Derby Day full of confidence following Thundering On's emphatic win in the Oaks 24 hours earlier. McMonagle's career has risen rapidly since his first ride in 2019 and last year was his defining year. A win in the Irish St Leger on Al Riffa in September was shortly followed by a win on Ethical Diamond in the prestigious Breeder's Cup Turf, a much vaunted Group One contest. The 23-year-old has ridden twice in this race before, finishing sixth in 2024 before an excellent third on Tennessee Stud last year for his employer Joseph O'Brien. It is clear that nothing much fazes the young rider.

11) - MALTESE CROSS - Sire: Sea The Stars - Dam: Nabatea - Trainer: William Haggas - Jockey: Tom Marquand

Another bright young hope for Britain would come in the form of William Haggas's high class colt Maltese Cross, who has also improved with each start. This would also be the Newmarket trainer's biggest opportunity to win the Epsom Derby for the first time since Shaamit in 1996, exactly thirty years ago. Maltese Cross is bred for the Derby as a son of the almighty Sea The Stars, winner of this race in 2009. There is a good blend of stamina in the pedigree as the dam Nabatea comes from a Germany family and Maltese Cross's half sister Namouria won a listed race over a mile and a half. He would first step onto a racecourse in September, making his debut over a mile at Ascot. He looked professional on his first day at school and travelled well. He was only denied close home by River Card, who had the benefit of a debut second previously, so this was a good effort. A few weeks later, Maltese Cross was back in action, this time at Newmarket in a novice contest. Always well positioned, he showed plenty of battling qualities to fend of the useful Del Maro and break his maiden tag by a neck. With the first win under his belt, he was given the rest of the season off, but returned to action in April this year in an always informative ten furlong novice at Newbury. On this occasion he raced a touch keenly in the opening stages, but approaching the finish he had held just enough in reserve to hold off all challengers to win narrowly again. His latest start would take place in the Lingfield Derby Trial, taking place on a downhill, sharp course which is similar to Epsom. Maltese Cross sat behind the two leaders early on but rounding the bend, he made his move. Bay Of Brilliance would join him in the home straight and the two went head to head until the line, but it was Maltese Cross who gained the upper hand and landed the verdict. It is clear that Maltese Cross won't win by many lengths in his races, but the battling qualities already shown plenty of times so far will see him in good stead if the going gets tough in this contest.
WIlliam Haggas and Tom Marquand have been one of Britain's strongest trainer/jockey combinations of the last few seasons, but they still have a Classic to tick off as a partnership. William Haggas emerged on the scene 30 years ago with Shaamit's win in the Derby, when Marquand was in nappies. This year, the pair look to land the biggest prize in racing. Marquand himself is a Classic winner after scoring on Galileo Chrome in the St Leger of 2020, but his best finish in the Derby came in 2020 where he guided Khalifa Sat to second at a big price. This year, he rides one of the leading contenders. 

12) - PIERRE BONNARD - Sire: Camelot - Dam: Sultanina - Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ireland) - Jockey: Christophe Soumillon

At the end of 2025, it seemed that Aidan O'Brien's potential Derby success laid in the hands of Pierre Bonnard, who had shown all the hallmarks of a Classic winner, but things haven't gone the way as hoped this season. The son of Camelot, the 2012 hero for the same connections, Pierre Bonnard holds an important stat over his rivals as the only Group One winner in the line up. He is also bred to stay as a son of the Nassau Stakes winner Sultanina and a half brother to Crepe Suzette, a talented mare up to a mile and three quarters. As is usually the case with newcomers from the Aidan O'Brien yard, Pierre Bonnard was given an educational time of things on his debut at Leopardstown and kept on into a promising fourth in July. He would put that experience to good use next time out at Dundalk where he pulled clear in good style and win for the first time. After that, he was given a short break for an autumn campaign, starting off at Newmarket in the Zetland Stakes. Restrained early on, he moved through the field in good style and found plenty for pressure to pull clear of his stablemate and win comfortably by a length and a half. His final start of 2025 saw yet another strong staying performance in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud with a few of his returning rivals well beaten off. His return to action was eagerly awaited and it came in the Ballysax Stakes, a tried and tested trial for the O'Brien team. Sent off a short priced favourite, there was little response under pressure and he languished in seventh behind Christmas Day. Nothing came to light in the post race debrief and a month later, he would bounce back to form in the Derrinstown Stud Stakes. He took a while to warm up to top gear, but once he did, Pierre Bonnard finished strongly to join James J Braddock on the line, but lost out by a short head in a desperately close finish. That was a much better run from the colt and it offers hope that he is back to his best, especially with recent praise from his trainer ringing in his ear.
Globally renowned jockey Christophe Soumillon would return to the Ballydoyle fray for this prime ride and the Belgian-born veteran enjoyed a profitable spell at the end of last season with Aidan O'Brien, filling in for the injured Ryan Moore. Soumillon has an ocean of experience at the very top and has amassed over 4,000 winners in his career. Winning rider of a Classic sixteen times combined from Ireland and France, there aren't many jockeys who have a CV like Soumillon's. He rode Pierre Bonnard to both of his impressive victories at Newmarket and Saint-Cloud last autumn, so will know his horse inside out. He looks to win the Epsom Classic for the first time having taken second last year on Lazy Griff. 

13) - POKER - Sire: Wootton Bassett - Dam: Park Bloom - Trainer: Karl Burke - Jockey: Rowan Scott

The Amo Racing operation have become high profile big spenders in the sales ring around the world, splashing the cash on yearlings in hope of finally landing a first Classic. Kia Joorabchian's brain child has come close to winning the Derby in recent seasons; firstly with Mojo Star in 2021 and then the top class King Of Steel in 2023. Their representative Poker made headlines before he ever stepped foot on a racecourse as he was purchased by Amo Racing for £4,300,000 at the yearling sales, a new record high. The colt is bred for Epsom however as he is a distant relative to 2012's Epsom Oaks winner Was and the 2020 Derby runner up Amhran Na Bhfiann. With such a big price tag hanging around his neck, Poker's debut at Haydock last September drew plenty of attention. After a slow start from the stalls, he was never involved and could only finish sixth and beaten nearly five lengths. Exactly a month later, he would line up at Redcar for a similar novice contest, this time over ten furlongs. He ran better this time to take second, but was still left behind by the talented winner Bay Of Brilliance. His most recent appearance came where it all began at Haydock at the end of April, tried in first time headgear, he was outpaced by the winner to take second of four runners. Despite his illustrious family and big price tag, Poker hasn't shown anywhere near the standard of winning a Derby. Karl Burke's colt will surely win races in the future and even a win in the Derby wouldn't make profit for his owners. 
Rowan Scott's career has sky-rocketed in the past year after joining the Amo Racing operation as second rider. Once known as a hard working jockey on the Northern circuit, he would benefit from a busy international schedule and jockey shortage to take the spare ride on Cathedral in the Sun Chariot Stakes last October, which was his first ride in a Group One. Since then, Scott has been improving with experience and rode Ancient Egypt to victory at Newmarket last time out. He now takes his first ever ride in the Epsom Derby on a likely outsider in Poker, but it will be a moment he will never forget.

14) - REBEL ROCKER - Sire: Cityscape - Dam: Miss Minuty - Trainer: Faye Bramley - Jockey: Rob Hornby

Completing the line up of this year's Epsom Derby would be Rebel Rocker, representing the breakout stable of Faye Bramley with the potential to create a fairytale story of success. Rookie trainer Faye Bramley burst onto the scene during the National Hunt season last winter, landing a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham, but now she has her eye on Flat racing's biggest prize with an intriguing outsider, Rebel Rocker. The colt will line up around more fancifully bred rivals and hopes to outperform them here. A son of the high class globetrotter Cityscape, Rebel Rocker is out of the mare Miss Minuty, whose next best progeny would be the six time winning mare Miss Dolly Rocker. There is a ton of stamina to rely on in her pedigree and Rebel Rocker caused a minor surprise down the road at Kempton, landing a class two novice race comfortably. The nature of that win didn't look like a fluke and he confirmed his ability with a excellent second in the Blue Riband Trial over ten furlongs here in April. After being held up, he would make very good late headway into second behind Saxon Street. The experience gained on this one of a kind track will be invaluable against others without that luxury. Rebel Rocker will certainly have his support from fans of an underdog story. 
Taking the ride here would be Rob Hornby, who quietly goes about his business in an assured way in the saddle. Hornby is better known for his partnership with Ralph Beckett, a trainer with whom he scored his first Group One winner with as he took the Prix Royal-Oak aboard Scope. It was a big moment for Hornby as he recovered from a fall a year earlier and 2022 was a breakout season. Winning the July Cup and Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket's July Festival, he also struck up a good partnership with Westover - who finished third in the Derby. The inexperienced Faye Bramley stable can rely on a good pair of hands in the form of Rob Hornby this year. 

Story Of The Race:

1st: CHRISTMAS DAY 

2nd: MALTESE CROSS

3rd: JAMES J BRADDOCK

Also:
4th - Bay Of Brilliance, 5th - Alderman , 6th - Rebel Rocker, 7th - Pierre Bonnard, 8th - Ancient Egypt, 9th - Item, 10th - A Taste Of Glory, 11th - Balzac , 12th - Action, 13th - Poker. *NR: Benvenuto Cellini. 

Distances: 2 and three-quarter lengths, 2 and a half lengths, 2 lengths. 
Race Time: 2 mins, 43.75 secs. - 8.15 secs slower than average.

The buildup to the 2026 Epsom Derby would begin at the start of the week as 17 confirmations were listed. By Wednesday, the anticipation was raised a notch with the declaration stage and the all important stalls draw. 17 runners were whittled down to 14 as Aidan O'Brien reduced his team to four as Endorsement, Causeway and Propositon were removed. 
There would be plenty of eager interest with the starting gate draw as it could be the difference between winning and losing. A middle to high draw is seen as an advantage as the running rail switches to the left hand side after a few furlongs. Those drawn low will have the rail of the first bend to begin with, but risked getting trapped out wide for the rest of the race. Historically, stall ten has contained the most winners of late, including Lambourn last season. That berth was allocated to Ancient Egypt. Race favourite Pierre Bonnard was drawn close by in stall eight. Aidan O'Brien's other leading hope Benvenuto Cellini would start from stall twelve while Item was drawn from a tricky stall three. Jane Chapple-Hyam's Balzac had the task of defying the hoodoo of stall two, which has yet to see the winner emerge from it. 
The weather would also play a big factor in the outcome. A 30mm deluge of rain earlier in the week left the ground conditions on the slower side and despite a dry day on Oaks Day, more rain would fall on the track throughout the afternoon - leading to testing conditions described as soft. The stamina sapping contest would be an even bigger test of stamina than usual.

Once the traditional pre-race parade in front of the grandstands and a rendition of the National Anthem had been completed, the fourteen runners would canter steadily to post as the rain continue to pelt the track. All of the jockeys were keen to hold their mount under tight wraps, hoping not to exert too much energy before the race. Once they arrived at the start, the loading process would begin shortly afterwards. All of the colts knew what to do by now so walked calmly into their all important gate and waited for the signal. Heartbeats would rise and eyes would shoot daggers at the starter as the stalls crashed open to signify the start; the race to immortality was on.

As expected, it was Action who made a sharp getaway and was ridden towards the front by Wayne Lordan. Last year's winning rider would find himself in a similar position here to twelve months ago. Christmas Day was another to react alertly from the gates and would join his stablemate for a share of the lead approaching the first right hand bend. From those drawn higher, Rebel Rocker was another to take front rank along with the Amo pair of Ancient Egypt and Poker as well as Item. The field began to drift away from the far side and towards the inside running rail as the track continued to rise and bear to the left. A few horses missed the break as the gates opened. Poker took a stumble from his stall and did well to recover as A Taste Of Glory was sluggish to leave his gate. Most importantly, Benvenuto Cellini was also further back than planned which gave his many supporters cause for concern in the opening half of the race.

Up front, Action would set a decent pace in the worsening ground. Himself and Christmas Day had raced a few lanes wider of Rebel Rocker and Item before the summit of the hill, but once the left hand bends arrived, Action would meet the apex perfectly. Christmas Day settled nicely in third and these two had a bit of an advantage on the rest. Maltese Cross had made a few places up at the halfway stage to join Ancient Egypt and Item in the passenger seats as the drop into Tattenham Corner would soon come up. As the field began to find the ground falling away under their feet, Action cranked up the pressure in front. He increased the pace as Christmas Day followed in close pursuit. Leading contenders Maltese Cross and Item were keeping a close eye on the leaders while Pierre Bonnard raced kindly in midfield, but Benvenuto Cellini was still a long way back. 

Action's time in the lead quickly evaporated as Christmas Day swept around the home bend and faced up to the daunting final straight in the lead. Action was now under strong pressure and going backwards as Item loomed up powerfully. Ancient Egypt would also look a threat for the home team but Christmas Day had kicked for home. He would open up a healthy lead in the final two furlongs as Maltese Cross valiantly gave chase. From further back, Bay Of Brilliance and James J Braddock emerged from the ruck to throw down a late bid in the final furlong. Tom Marquand was giving everything on Maltese Cross, who responded for the pressure, but Christmas Day retained his advantage. With the final incline to negotiate, Christmas Day kept finding plenty in reserve to maintain his three length advantage and cross the line for his big moment. Maltese Cross ran an excellent race into second while James J Braddock did all of his best work at the finish, taking third for the O'Brien family. Bay Of Brilliance was another to move into contention, but had nothing left as he only just held on to fifth. The rank outsider Alderman ran an amazing race for the Hannon team to nearly snatch fifth on the line, but this was still a lifetime best finish. Rebel Rocker would return in a highly creditable sixth for his small stable. The well fancied runners Pierre Bonnard, Item and Ancient Egypt all trailed home down the order.
There would be post race drama as the stewards unexpectedly declared Benvenuto Cellini as a non-runner, despite the colt completing the race. Upon review of the start, it became evident that the race favourite had his back leg caught on the back of the stall, leaving him stood on three legs once the gates opened which conttributed to a slow start.

While the expected first string ran into trouble early on, Aidan O'Brien would unsurprisingly score in the Epsom Derby with his perceived fourth string. Christmas Day would come early for the team at Ballydoyle as the colt provided O'Brien with his twelfth victory in the biggest Classic of the season and also a fourth win in a row in the Derby. The persistent rain led to very tough ground for all of the runners, but Christmas Day found himself in the perfect position once Action faded away. Sweeping into a clear lead at the three furlong pole, he maintained the gap and never looked like getting caught. Prior to his previous run in the Dante Stakes, Christmas Day had always looked like a strong stayer, winning a ten furlong Group Three as a two-year-old and then the Ballysax Stakes with ease on his comeback run. He was kept away from the main action down the home straight in the Dante Stakes, which was a performance that suggested he wasn't 100% right. He bounced back in no uncertain terms to win the Derby of 2026 and will now attempt to join the history books at the Curragh by becoming the latest British and Irish Derby winner. 

In a messy contest which will be talked about for a while, the one thing can be guaranteed here is that the festivities came early, Derby Day had become Christmas Day.