Betfred Derby |
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| Group 1, Epsom Downs 16:00 £2,000,000 guaranteed 3yo only, 1m, 4f, 10y  |
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The stage is set for another fascinating Betfred Derby, with Aidan O’Brien once again holding a powerful hand as he attempts to extend his record in the race to an unprecedented 12 victories.
Brilliant from Benvenuto Cellini in the Boodles Chester Vase! 👏 @ChesterRaces pic.twitter.com/bHyYmraVQh
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 6, 2026
Four of the 14 declared runners come from Ballydoyle, headed by Benvenuto Cellini, whose authoritative success in the Chester Vase has established him as the colt they all have to beat.
Ryan Moore partners the favourite from stall 12, a draw that carries favourable recent associations for the team, with both Australia and Serpentine having emerged victorious from the same berth.
He is joined by stablemates Pierre Bonnard, Action and Christmas Day, giving O’Brien enviable strength in depth as he seeks a fourth consecutive Derby success following the triumphs of Auguste Rodin, City Of Troy and Lambourn.
Speaking at the Derby draw in London, Coolmore’s UK representative Kevin Buckley said: “I think Benvenuto Cellini is a worthy favourite and we would be happy enough with his draw in 12 which is the same one Australia and Serpentine won out of so you would have to be happy.
“I’ve always had a personal soft spot for Pierre Bonnard, but I was equally impressed with what Benvenuto Cellini did at Chester and I thought that was the perfect prep for the Derby.
“It is interesting Christmas Day is drawn five and that is the same stall his sire Camelot came out of when he won the Derby.
“He was third in the Dante behind Action, who is closely-related to Lambourn and won the Derby last year, so we have some nice runners this year and we’re looking forward to it.”
Pierre Bonnard brings a particularly intriguing profile to the race and is reunited with Christophe Soumillon, who partnered him to two victories last season, including Group One success in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
The Belgian rider returns to Epsom still chasing a first Derby triumph after finishing second aboard Lazy Griff 12 months ago.
“For me he is a great horse and the twice I rode him he gave me a great feeling,” said Soumillon.
“I know you are not truly able to know if a horse is really going to enjoy the track at Epsom, but the way he galloped last year, I thought he would be great for the race this season.
“I hope we get some more rain as that will be a nice help for him, he enjoys the soft ground and won on heavy in Saint-Cloud – any rain will be good for him.”
Soumillon remains convinced the son of Camelot is capable of returning to the level he showed as a juvenile.
“Pierre Bonnard’s first two runs this season have not been the same as what he showed as a two-year-old but I’m sure he is going to be 100 per cent for the race and I know Aidan will bring his horses on top form for the big one.
“It’s a great privilege to ride for such an amazing team. There is always some pressure but it is a good pressure as you know you are riding amazing horses and there is no space for mistakes.
“You have to do your best every time to ensure they get the best results possible.
“Winning for them is incredible and I’m always happy and enjoy it when Aidan asks me to ride for his team because the horses are always at the top of the game.”
Unbeaten record retained 🔥
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 14, 2026
Item lands the 2026 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes for @JuddmonteFarms & @AndrewBalding2 under @ctkjockey 🏆 pic.twitter.com/f4HGYaonA7
The most obvious threat to Ballydoyle’s dominance may come from Andrew Balding’s unbeaten Item, whose Dante Stakes victory marked him down as a colt of considerable potential.
Drawn in stall three, the Juddmonte-owned son of Frankel arrives at Epsom with momentum behind him and with his trainer dreaming of emulating his late father Ian, who won the Derby with Mill Reef in 1971.
Balding’s confidence received an additional boost during the week when Venetian Prince stormed to victory in the Derby Italiano, giving the Kingsclere trainer a race his father also won more than four decades ago.
“I’m delighted and I’m really pleased for everyone involved,” said Balding.
“He’s a decent horse and we were a bit worried about the trip and the ground, but he handled the ground and stayed the trip well. Hopefully he’s exciting.
“It’s a race we’ve always wanted to win. Dad won it in 1981, which is a long time ago now, and we’ve had a couple of near misses, so it’s nice to add it to the CV.
“It’s always nice when Jeff’s colours win big races and the prize-money is amazing so it’s a great result.”
Turning attention back to Epsom, Balding added: “It would be nice if there is another Derby we can run well in this week and that will be a different race all together, but this is very nice.
“I’m very pleased with Item and I’m just hoping the next few days go smoothly, but we’re all set.
“I’ve no worries about the rain and it’s not going to be heavy and like autumn heavy ground, if they get more rain then so be it, it is what it is.
“He goes there having done nothing wrong so far.”
A thrilling finish to the William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial! 🤩
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2026
Maltese Cross fends off the rallying Bay Of Brilliance in a cracker at @LingfieldPark...@WilliamHaggas | @TomMarquand pic.twitter.com/h1xxhFF8x0
Maltese Cross also heads to the Downs with legitimate claims after winning the Lingfield Derby Trial. Drawn in stall one, he will attempt to follow City Of Troy in overcoming the perceived disadvantages of the inside berth.
Tom Marquand believes the William Haggas-trained colt possesses many of the qualities required for Epsom.
“What he did at Lingfield was great, albeit visually he was not that impressive,” said Marquand.
“But he felt fantastic and obviously proved his credentials for trip and track which are two of the biggest challenges for Epsom.
“We will just find out whether he is good enough which is exciting but he has a turn of foot and that’s the thing that impressed me about Lingfield.
“At Newbury (on his seasonal reappearance) he didn’t show it but that was possibly rustiness, first run of the year and just circumstances.
“At Lingfield he took a big step forward and showed that turn of foot.
“It is an exciting week ahead and great to be riding in the Derby with a chance for William and the Somerville Lodge team. It is important that you find big horses in a big yard like that. It’s the fun part of the job.”
Elsewhere, Bay Of Brilliance, Ancient Egypt and Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock all arrive having advertised their credentials in recognised trials, while Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Balzac and Faye Bramley’s Rebel Rocker will attempt to make history as the first Derby winner trained by a woman.
Poker, the 4.3million-guinea yearling from the Karl Burke stable, and Richard Hannon’s maiden Alderman complete a field that blends proven trial form with tantalising potential.
As ever, the Derby presents a puzzle unlike any other. Ballydoyle may once again hold the strongest hand, but with Epsom’s unique demands waiting to test every contender, the answer will only reveal itself when the field swings for home on Saturday afternoon.
Betfred Derby (Group 1)
£2,000,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 4f 10y, Class 1
14 runners
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
Previous Winners
