By Katie Midwinter
One of the world’s most famous and prestigious races, the Derby is a stallion-making contest which crowns champions. The roll of honour is filled with the familiar names of some of the sport’s greatest equine legends, who all achieved immortality on the hallowed turf of the downs.
Sea Bird, Nijinsky and Nashwan, to name only a few, are some of the greats to have graced the Epsom winners’ enclosure, but little Mill Reef has always been the favourite in my family.
A small but mighty champion claimed the Derby crown in 1971. Mill Reef, who would go on to win the Eclipse, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as well as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe enjoyed a glittering career that was sadly cut short but his legacy lived on in his progeny with son Shirley Heights emulating his sire’s achievement seven years later, with Slip Anchor doing the same in 1985.
Shergar’s 1981 success is one of the most iconic Derbies of all-time. A completely dominant performance by a true great who will be forever remembered. This century, the likes of Galileo, Sea The Stars, Camelot and Golden Horn have all impressed on the downs, as well as Desert Crown, Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy in recent renewals.
On Saturday, another colt will add his name to the exclusive list of champions, achieving immortality. It appears an open renewal of the contest, lacking a standout contender bar 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, who has stamina to prove. There isn’t a champion two-year-old in the field as seen previously, although somewhat forgotten horse The Lion In Winter wasn’t far from the top in the juvenile classification list of 2024…
Here’s a runner-by-runner guide to the Epsom Classic:
AL WASL STORM
Owen Burrows-trained colt Al Wasl Storm has an interesting profile coming into this race being by a National Hunt stallion in Affinsea, purchased from the Tattersalls Ireland National Hunt sale for a mere €7,000 as a foal. He’s out of an unraced Martaline mare, Dearborn, a half-sister to promising, sadly ill-fated hurdler Shallwehaveonemore, and dual winner Quevillon, and his maternal grand-dam, Princess Roseburg, a half-sister to Acomb Stakes winner Boubonnais, was a three-time Flat winner in France, related to a number of black-type achievers, including dual Group Two winner Squill.
Al Wasl Storm has plenty of Flat class in the pedigree and he has deserved his place in this Classic field following an impressive maiden success at Chester when last seen, where he gained valuable experience around a tight track on one of their biggest days of the season.
The colt had previously appeared at Newbury, making no impression on debut, and Lingfield, where he finished second to Rogue Impact, improving on his first racecourse appearance and shaping with promise. He was slightly interfered with by the eventual winner late on in his penultimate start, too, in a performance that could be upgraded, and was able to take another significant step forward on the Roodee.
Whilst further improvement is needed, Al Wasl Storm is unexposed and certainly on an upward trajectory. He could be capable of showing plenty of further progression and has the benefit of a recent gallop on the downs in his favour.
DAMYSUS
Unique in his appearance, it will be impossible to miss Damysus in the Epsom parade ring prior to the Classic with his striking face markings that make him stand out among his rivals. The flashy chestnut, who was purchased for 460,000gns as Tattersalls Book 1 yearling, has shaped with plenty of potential in three starts to date and now faces his toughest challenge yet.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Frankel made a successful start to his career when beating his rivals convincingly in a Southwell novice event, before finishing third when upped into Group Three level at Sandown. He stuck to the task well on that occasion over a mile-and-a-quarter, doing his best work late on from the rear of the field when beaten only by two promising colts in Swagman and Windlord.
Further improvement was required if he was to enhance his Classic credentials, however, and a recent second-placed finish to Pride Of Arras in the Dante Stakes proved he has the ability to compete among the best colts of his generation.
Damysus shaped as though there was further improvement to come at York, still showing signs of greenness at times when looking far from the finished article. There should be more to come from him, and he has already proven he possesses plenty of raw talent and ability.
Out of Rahy mare Legerete, Damysus is a half-brother to black-type achievers in Pilote, Esquisse and Femina, and the best could be yet to come from him. He’s had a recent gallop at the track, and has shown Group level form which should hold him in good stead.
DELACROIX
A promising juvenile last term, Delacroix was effective over a mile in the Group Three Autumn Stakes, beating Stanhope Gardens, before being narrowly denied by Hotazhell in the Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.
Despite suffering three defeats during his debut campaign, he emerged with plenty of credit as a leading two-year-old for the yard having proven his credentials at Group One level.
By Dubawi, out of multiple Group One winner Tepin, a half-sister to top performer Vyjack, Delacroix, a half-brother to Group One winner Grateful, looks set to be Ballydoyle’s leading contender in this year’s Epsom Classic after two Group Three successes this term, including in the Leopardstown Derby Trial.
The form of his Ballysax Stakes victory has been significantly franked with runner-up Lambourn going on to claim Group Three success in the Chester Vase, fourth-placed Puppet Master subsequently winning a Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield, and fifth-placed Wemightakedlongway achieving Group Three honours at Navan. He also beat a Group One winner convincingly in his latest start, as Tennessee Stud was beaten six-and-three-quarter-lengths by the Delacroix last month.
With plenty in his favour, strong form and confidence from the camp, Delacroix is a leading contender representing Aidan O’Brien, and could show further improvement on his first try at a mile-and-a-half.
GREEN STORM
Charlie Johnston-trained Green Storm was well beaten on his return to action at Newmarket, going to the front early when unable to sustain the effort over 1m1f in the Listed Feilden Stakes despite being supported into a price of [7/2].
It was a run worth forgiving on his first start as a three-year-old following a 170-day break, but it isn’t the perfect preparation for a Derby assignment and he’ll need to swiftly bounce back.
Last term, the son of Circus Maximus finished second at Group One and Group Three level, respectively, including over a mile-and-a-quarter in testing conditions at Saint-Cloud when behind Tennessee Stud.
Although he performed with credit in France, his stamina was far from proven in the closing stages, but he is out of Banimpire, a Ribblesdale Stakes winner who was narrowly beaten in the Irish Oaks, a daughter of mile-and-a-half Listed winner My Renee and relation to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion Carnegie.
Others have more compelling claims in the field, but Green Storm has shown he possesses ability and the step up in trip could bring out the best in him. This is his eighth career start, therefore he should have enough experience to cope with the occasion which is always a plus.
LAMBOURN
Despite having two-and-a-quarter-lengths to find with his stablemate Delacroix, Lambourn is no forlorn hope in this field and enhanced his claims by winning the Chester Vase when last seen, justifying odds of [11/8].
Favourite backers had cause for concern during the race as the son of Australia required reminders early enough, but he seemed to improve the further he raced, doing his best work late on and proving his stamina credentials.
His proven staying capabilities are certain to be a positive at Epsom, but he shouldn’t be short of speed either having won over a mile in Listed company last term, albeit in softer conditions. He’s out of a 5f winner, who also placed in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, in Scat Daddy mare Gossamer Wings, a half-sister to Grade One-placed mile-and-a-quarter performer Laureate Conductor as well as Grade Three winning sprinter Baby J.
There’s class in the family and Lambourn could put in a bold showing at a price for team Ballydoyle.
LAZY GRIFF
Second at odds of [25/1] to Lambourn in the Chester Vase, Lazy Griff, the son of Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist, coped well with the step up in trip at Chester, significantly enhancing his Derby credentials on his first run of the year.
The Charlie Johnston-trained colt had previously claimed Group Three honours over 1m1f at Chantilly, having shown modest form in his prior outings as a juvenile. He has clearly taken a step forward from his debut campaign, gaining valuable experience for which he has improved, and he’s unexposed considering he remains capable of showing further progression on the back of one run at a middle-distance trip.
MIDAK
Recently supplemented French-raider Midak is a poignant inclusion in the Classic which will be raced in honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV.
The home-bred colt by Footstepsinthesand is out of strong staying Listed winner Minya, a daughter of dual Derby winner and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion Sinndar, and is related to a number of classy performers including multiple Group One winner Manighar.
There’s strong emphasis on stamina in the pedigree and in three starts to date, all over a distance further than a mile-and-a-quarter, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained contender is unbeaten.
Completely unexposed coming into the race, Midak adds an extra dimension to an already intriguing Derby. There’s some rain forecast prior to the off on Saturday, which would likely help his cause, and should it turn into a stiff test of stamina, Midak’s chances would almost certainly improve.
Whether or not he’s good enough to win a race of this nature remains to be seen, but the Group Three winner is one of only two horses, along with Pride Of Arras, who is bidding to remain unbeaten in this field.
NEW GROUND
Another supplemented French-trained contender is Juddmonte home-bred New Ground, a dual winner as a juvenile that has finished third in both of his two starts this term, in Group Three and Listed company, respectively.
The son of New Bay is out of Group Three winner Gaining, and is from the family of St Leger second Armiger, with plenty of stamina in his pedigree. In recent starts he has been beaten over a 1m1f and 1m2f, having only narrowly prevailed twice over the same distances during his debut campaign, but he was far from disgraced on either occasion and further progression is possible.
Significant improvement is required at this level, but the step up in trip could bring out the best in this young colt, who represents Henri-Francois Devin.
NIGHTIME DANCER
Ghaiyyath colt Nightime Dancer was able to break his maiden tag at the second time of asking in a mile-and-a-half Southwell contest on his penultimate start, having been beaten by Sacred Fire on debut, before finishing third to Puppet Master in the Listed Lingfield trial race last month. Needing to improve plenty to compete in this sphere based on that effort, the 110,000gns purchase is proven over the trip, which is a positive, and could show further progression in only his fourth career start.
Out of Sea The Stars mare Stella D’italia, a half-sister to two black-type performers, Nightime Dancer is a well-bred individual who should possess plenty of stamina. His maternal grand-dam Ragsah, was a half-sister to the magnificent multiple Group One winner Dubai Millennium, both out of classy performer Colorado Dancer, a half-sister to Preakness Stakes winner and Kentucky Derby third Timber Country.
Whilst further progression is required, Nightime is yet to be fully exposed and could be capable of taking a significant step forward on his previous outings.
NIGHTWALKER
John and Thady Gosden-trained Nightwalker, who enjoyed a recent gallop on the downs, comes into the race having won once in five starts, in a maiden for his former trainer Sir Michael Stoute last term. He finished third to Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes, when no match for the front two that day which included Stanhope Gardens, but didn’t appear comfortable over a mile on the track, and was likely to be seen to better effect in future.
This term, the grey has finished third and fifth, respectively, in the Feilden Stakes and Dante Stakes, staying on well in his latest start at York but unable to display a change of pace which could leave him vulnerable against some classy rivals at Epsom.
Whilst there could be further improvement to come from the son of Frankel, who is a half-brother to dual Grade One winner Whitebeam, out of Sleep Walk, half-sister to St Leger winner Logician, Group Three winners Okeechobee and Suffused, he needs to take a step forward on his previous efforts to compete in this company.
PRIDE OF ARRAS
Having won the Dante Stakes impressively on only his second career start, Pride Of Arras significantly shortened in the market ahead of the Epsom Classic as he enhanced his Derby claims, earning himself an opening mark of 115. He finished strongest of all on the Knavesmire, sprinting away from his rivals which included the likes of Damysus, Wimbledon Hawkeye and The Lion In Winter, whilst appearing to have plenty left in reserve at the finishing line.
Trained by Ralph Beckett, the exciting son of New Bay is out of mile-and-a-half winner Parnell’s Dream, a daughter of Oasis Dream and half-sister to Listed 1m4f winning Kissable, dam of Prix de Royallieu winner Loving Dream and Grade Two winner Legend Of Time.
There’s plenty of stamina in the pedigree, as well as class, and Pride Of Arras appears to be improving rapidly. He should pose a considerable threat in this field, still unexposed at this level and over the trip with any amount of progression to come from him.
ROGUE IMPACT
Study Of Man colt Rogue Impact is one of the outsiders of the field having suffered two defeats from three starts to date, most recently when sixth of six behind Puppet Master in the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes. He did previously beat Al Wasl Storm, who franked the form, in a maiden on the all-weather on his return to action.
That was his first start for James Owen having previously represented Peter Chapple-Hyam, and, although further improvement is required here, he can be forgiven for a poor effort in his latest start in which he was quite keen, and there could be more to come from him.
A 78,000gns yearling, the colt is out of a half-sister to Eclipse winner Mukhadram, in Just So, and is related to St Leger winner Mastery. Likely to stay well, Rogue Impact has plenty to find with the main contenders in the field but could take a significant step forward on only his fourth career start.
Whether or not that will be good enough to pose a threat in the race of this nature remains to be seen, however, in what is an open race, Rogue Impact could be capable of outrunning his odds if he handles the track.
RULING COURT
Gutsy 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court is bidding for his second Classic of the season as the son of Justify steps up to a mile-and-a-half for the first time at Epsom.
Yet to be seen over further than a mile, the speedy colt quickened effectively to claim his first Group One success on the Rowley Mile when last seen, and has so far shown steady progression in four runs, capable of taking another step forward for Charlie Appleby on his fifth start.
The three-time winner, who fetched €2,300,000 as a breeze-up, is out of Grade Three-placed Inchargeofme, a daughter of dual Derby winner High Chaparral and Cape Cross mare Inchmina, who also produced Group One-placed pair Johann Strauss and Mythical. He’s also a distant relative to a number of classy types and stayers, including Grade One winner Miss Keller, Irish St Leger Trial winner Ursa Major, and multiple Group One-placed Venus De Milo, dam of Chester Cup winner Cleveland, as well as The Lion In Winter.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Ruling Court sets the standard in this field on form shown so far, and, if he can be as effective over the middle-distance, he should prove tough to beat.
SEA SCOUT
A 175,000gns yearling purchase, Sea The Stars colt Sea Scout will bid to emulate his sire as he bids for Epsom glory having provided a shock when winning the the Listed Blue Riband Trial here at odds of [40/1] in April.
Eighth in the Dante Stakes in his following start, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained colt must return to the form of his penultimate outing if he is to pose a threat in this field, but has course form in his favour and remains open to further progression on only his fifth start.
Out of unraced Shamardal mare Wo De Xin, daughter of a sister to talented Oaks winner Love Divine in Moonshadow, Sea Scout is also related to St Leger winner Sixties Icon and multiple Group One winner Dan Excel.
With Classic winning form in the family and by a top stallion, Sea Scout has the right profile to run a big race in this contest and could well spring another surprise at a price.
STANHOPE GARDENS
Ralph Beckett-trained Stanhope Gardens enjoyed a perfect preparation with a comfortable victory as [2/11] favourite in a Salisbury mile contest recently, in what was his return to action following a 224-day break.
The son of Ghaiyyath, who finished third to Ruling Court in a 7f Sandown maiden on debut, shed his maiden tag when successful at Beverley before battling hard to be narrowly denied by Delacroix in the Group Three Autumn Stakes last October. At Newmarket that day, there was little to split the eventual front two, with the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt gaining a slight advantage when approaching the line, as the pair drew four-lengths clear of third-placed Nightwalker.
The step up in trip was likely to suit Stanhope Gardens, who is out of Dutch Art mare Pure Art, a winner over a mile-and-a-quarter and relative of Romsdal, who finished third to Australia in the 2014 Derby before achieving a second-placed finish in the St Leger.
A promising colt that has performed well so far in his career, Stanhope Gardens remains relatively unexposed and could have any amount of improvement left in him.
TENNESSEE STUD
Wootton Bassett colt Tennessee Stud is a Group One winner in this field, having beaten Green Storm to success at Saint-Cloud last autumn.
In heavy ground conditions that day, the Joseph O’Brien-trained contender displayed a gutsy attitude to prevail by a length-and-a-half over the mile-and-a-quarter trip, having previously finished second to subsequent Group One winner Hotazhell in a Curragh Group Two.
When last seen, Tennessee Stud finished a distant third to Delacroix in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown, and he will need to find plenty of improvement based on that effort if he is to be competitive here. He does have proven form at a high level, however, although the form doesn’t appear to be the strongest, and he could come on for his reappearance effort.
Tennessee Stud, who is out of In My Dreams, a daughter of a half-sister to exceptional Classic achiever Rock Of Gibraltar, Offshore Boom, could fare better than his current odds of 66/1 suggest, and shouldn’t be completely discounted for top connections.
THE LION IN WINTER
Sea The Stars colt The Lion In Winter emerged as a leading contender for this Classic following an impressive Acomb Stakes success at York’s Ebor Festival last summer, when he beat Wimbledon Hawkeye and subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court.
A smart prospect, the Aidan O’Brien-trained representative enjoyed a blemish-free campaign as a juvenile, winning two from two, but returned to action late this spring when lining up as the [8/11] favourite for the Dante Stakes.
The Lion In Winter sweated up on his return to York, a contrast to the cool and calm version that had previously impressed on the Knavesmire, pulling himself to the front under Ryan Moore, struggling to settle.
Whilst his four-length sixth-placed effort could be forgiven on his return to action following a 267-day break, and he was hampered in the straight, his pre-race demeanour and lack of professionalism early on is a concern, particularly when he will be required to deal with the huge occasion of the Derby on only his fourth appearance.
His trainer knows how to get his stars to put disappointments behind them, as shown with Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy, the previous two winners of this Classic, however, they were both exceptional juveniles, already proven at Group One level, whilst The Lion In Winter has to prove himself at the top level without an ideal preparation.
TORNADO ALERT
Saeed bin Suroor-trained Tornado Alert, who finished third on debut at Lingfield before staying on well over a mile to shed his maiden tag in a Newcastle maiden as a juvenile, was last seen finishing a brilliant fourth in the 2000 Guineas, beaten only by three exceptional colts whilst pulling a length-and-a-half clear of fifth-placed Wimbledon Hawkeye.
Heading to Newmarket on his first start as a three-year-old, following a 212-day break and completely unexposed, the home-bred Godolphin colt was able to defy odds of [50/1] to put in a competitive effort, despite racing keenly from the front.
Tornado Alert displayed a good attitude on the Rowley Mile, putting in a brave effort on only his fourth career start. There should be plenty of further improvement to come from him and a step up in trip could allow him to take another step forward.
A son of Too Darn Hot, Tornado Alert is out of Bint Almatar, a half-sister to three–time Grade One winner Master Of The Seas who has also produced Just Fine, a Group One handicap winner in Australia over a mile-and-a-half, and Perseus Way, a mile-and-a-quarter winner on the Flat who has placed over two-miles, both by Sea The Stars.
With some staying performers in the family, Tornado Alert should be effective over the extra distance, particularly considering the attitude he showed in his latest start. He stuck to the task well, digging deep whilst staying on without weakening, and a repeat should hold him in good stead at Epsom.
TUSCAN HILLS
Tuscan Hills won both of his first two career starts as a juvenile, including in convincing fashion to claim Listed honours at Pontefract, before making his return when seventh in the Dante Stakes last month.
Sent off at odds of 22/1 that day, the Raphael Freire-trained contender didn’t finish strongly, but didn’t completely weaken either, and the step up in trip, in slightly softer conditions having had the benefit of a recent run, could allow him to shape better.
The €100,000 yearling purchase, who has previous winning form on soft ground, is related to a number of black-type achievers, most notably Oaks winner Eswarah, and has the scope for further improvement.
Far from a forlorn hope after just one blemish on his record, Tuscan Hills is another overlooked contender in a field who could be capable of outrunning his odds in an open race.
Featured image by Søren Hempel from Pixabay
THE CONDITIONAL 