Like the first Saturday in May in the United States, the first Saturday in June has special meaning to horse racing enthusiasts in the UK. That’s when the running of the Epsom Derby takes place at the storied Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England. Few horse races in the entire sport can match the history and prestige of the Epsom Derby, which was first run in 1780. That’s right 1780! Britain’s richest horse race is a Group 1 flat competition open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies.
2019 Epsom Derby at a Glance
Date and Time: Saturday, June 1, 11 a.m. ET
Location: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England
Length: 1 mile, 4 furlongs, 6 yards
The Epsom Derby is the second leg of the English Triple Crown, preceded by the 2000 Guineas and followed by the St. Leger. The three races are also part of the five Classics with the Epsom Derby the most prestigious of those events. The field will have a minimum of 15 entrants. Below are current odds and a look at a few of the favorites.
Odds to win 2019 Epsom Derby at BookMaker.eu
Sir Dragonet +300
Broome +450
Telecaster +500
Anthony Van Dyck +600
Bangkok +800
Japan +1000
Madhmoon +1400
Surfman +1600
Circus Maximus +2200
Line of Duty +3300
Cape of Good Hope +4000
Norway +4000
Sovereign +5000
Humanitarian +6600
Hiroshima +25000
One thing about the Epsom Derby is fairly certain. With trainer Aidan O’Brien having eight horses entered in the race, his odds of coming away with a victory are pretty good. And making those odds better is Sir Dragonet, who is currently the betting favorite at +300. He annihilated the field in his last race winning the Chester Vase by eight lengths with a stunning closing burst. He doesn’t have a lot of experience, but his show on the track has been solid.
Broome is another O’Brien horse and he’s the second favorite at +450. Unlike his stablemate Sir Dragonet, this colt has a number of races under his belt with a majority of them being over a mile in length. He showed stamina in his last two starts winning the Derrinstown Derby and Ballysax Stakes, two key Derby trials. After those two wins at 1¼ miles, O’Brien quickly pointed out Broome’s readiness for the Derby.
The horse highest on the odds list not trained by O’Brien is Telecaster, who came off at +500. We typically don’t see horses run races so close together and the biggest question is if Telecaster can put out a strong effort after winning the Dante Stakes just two weeks ago. One of only two horses not to have raced as a juvenile, Telecaster has climbed the ranks with impressive runs.
Another of O’Brien’s kids, Anthony Van Dyck is the most experienced horse in the field. He’s run five graded stakes races since last July and collected a podium finish in his first four. A stumble at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was cause for concern, but he bounced back winning the Derby Trial Stakes earlier this month. He’s rated the highest of any horse in the field.
The field for Epsom Derby is top heavy with many of the longshots just that. However, like we saw in the Kentucky Derby, anything can happen. If you fancy taking a flyer on a long odds horse, there are a few that have shown promise.
At +3300, Line Of Duty could be the upset special. Trainer Charlie Appleby won the Derby last year with Masar and has hopes of a repeat with this colt. He had some great runs as a juvenile and hadn’t finished lower than second before a seventh-place showing at the Dante Stakes. The distance was a distraction and the quick turnaround could be as well. But Line Of Duty has something to prove, as does his trainer.
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