2023 Epsom Derby: The Favourites

The much anticipated Epsom Derby is approaching and favourites are emerging

The Epsom Derby is one of the most prestigious races on the calendar, and the 2023 renewal is set to be as enthralling as ever and some favourites to win the race have been emerged over the last few days.

Auguste Rodin, trained by Aidan O’Brien, is currently seen by many as the favourite to come out on top in the race – and there is good reason for optimism as a result of some good recent form.

Victory was secured in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse back in October 2022, successfully fending off competition from Epictetus and Holloway Boy in emphatic fashion. This was O’Brien’s 11^th win in this race.

This was a second win in successive races, with victory also being secured in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes in September 2022 at Leopardstown Racecourse. Auguste Rodin emerged from the pack to win the race ahead of very stern competition from Caroline Street and Alder, who had to settle for second and third place respectively.

Interestingly, none of the past three winners of the Epsom Derby had any previous experience of a Group 1 race before and Auguste Rodin, who is three years old, is certainly seen as a candidate to win the 2023 Epsom Derby.

There are other favourites for the race at Epsom Downs on Saturday 3^rd June 2023. One of them is Imperial Emperor, trained by Charlie Appleby.

It was a very impressive performance from Imperial Emperor in the Maiden Stakes at Newmarket back in October 2022, with Attaj and A Dublin Lad rounding off the top three.

Another horse seen as one of the leading contenders for a win in this year’s Epsom Derby is Gooloogong after a comfortable victory in the Maiden Stakes at Navan ahead of Nation’s Call and Young Ireland. This followed a 5^th place finish in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk in November 2022.

The winner of the most recent renewal of the Epsom Derby in 2022 was Desert Crown, trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Jockey Richard Kingscote guided Desert Crown to a comfortable victory ahead of Hoo Ya Mal, Westover and Masekela who occupied the remaining three spots in the top four. This victory was Kingscote’s first in an Epsom Derby.

Desert Crown’s victory was Sir Michael Stoute’s 6^th in an Epsom Derby, but it was his first since winning with Workforce 12 years earlier in 2010. Stoute’s other victories have come with: Shergar (1981), Shahrastani (1986), Kris Kin (2003) & North Light in 2004.

There will however be no chance of Desert Crown claiming a second successive Derby victory in 2023 after being withdrawn by Stoute in June 2022.

The excitement levels of horse racing fans is are certain to rise over the coming weeks as the day of the Epsom Derby edges ever closer with the 2023 winner set to be decided.

Be sure to revisit our website for updates ahead of the Derby at Epsom, we will keep you up to date with news of the runners and riders as we approach the big day. If you are looking to attend the Derby, there is no better way to enjoy all of the action at the 2023 Epsom Derby in some style with one of our VIP Hospitality Packages. Make your experience even more memorable with Eventmasters.