Who is going to win the 2023 Epsom Derby?

Scott Allen
1 June 2023

Totally Charming and William Buick win at Epsom

Planet Sport gives you all the runners and riders for the biggest and best Flat race in the world - The Epsom Derby.

Bit of a twist on the 244th annual running of The Derby, with the start time shunted forward to 1:30pm because of the FA Cup final at 300pm. What a day of sport we have in store.

Fourteen horses are due to go to post, in what is one of the most open Derby races in many years. Which runner and rider will cope with the rollercoaster racecourse that is Epsom the best?

Don't forget it's a 1:30pm start so get your bets on early doors.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

1. Adelaide River

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan

While it would be folly to ever discount an outsider from this yard, and he did finish third in a Group One last year, he was brushed aside easily by Arrest at Chester.

Rating out of 10 - 3

2. Arrest

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Fine run on final start last season when just touched off at Saint-Cloud by Dubai Mile and was an easy winner of the Chester Vase. But those runs came on deep ground and it would have to rain to have real confidence in his chance.

Rating: 7

3. Artistic Star

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rob Hornby

An unbeaten Galileo colt available at huge odds in the Derby. What is not to like? Well, while he could prove himself a top-class performer in time, he may find this all coming too soon.

Rating: 5

4. Auguste Rodin

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore

Judged purely on his Guineas run, this horse just cannot win. However, with his trainer calling it a "non-event" and looking at his juvenile form, he has to be a major player, even with questions to answer now.

Rating: 7

5. Dear My Friend

Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Andrea Atzeni

Sparked Classic dreams for his enthusiastic owners when winning a decent race at Newcastle, but was put in his place in the Dante.

Rating: 3

6. Dubai Mile

Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Daniel Muscutt

A Group One winner over 10 furlongs at two and quick enough to finish a running-on fifth in the Guineas over a mile first time out this season. Looks guaranteed to improve for the step up in trip and ticks a lot of the boxes.

Rating:10

7. King Of Steel

Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Kevin Stott

Undoubtedly a colt of potential, thrown into a Group One on just his second start at two by his previous trainer. But his huge frame mean the twists and turns of Epsom will make life extremely difficult.

Rating: 5

8. Military Order

Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick

His yard has won the race twice in recent years, once with full-brother Adayar and this one comes in with even stronger claims. Impressive in the Lingfield trial, albeit on the all-weather, he sets the standard for the others.

Rating: 9

9. Passenger

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Richard Kingscote

Unraced at two but won the Wood Ditton on debut and was a marginally unlucky third in the Dante. Was hardly making ground hand over fist once in the clear, though, and a place might be his best hope.

Rating: 7

10, San Antonio

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Really come on in this season having shown comparatively little at two. Something of a surprise winner at Chester but this is a different test.

Rating: 6

11. Sprewell

Trainer: Jessica Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley

Would be a popular winner given his trainer's recent health troubles and brings smart form to the table having won the best Derby trial in Ireland. A real player.

Rating: 8

12. The Foxes

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy

Was never really considered a Derby horse until he won the Dante, with connections harbouring doubts about his stamina. Having won at York it is worth having a go, but those questions remain valid.

Rating: 7

13. Waipiro

Trainer: Ed Walker Jockey: Tom Marquand

There will be worse outsiders than this one. Bustled up Military Order at Lingfield when trapped wide throughout. An each-way player.

Rating: 7

14. White Birch

Trainer: John Jospeh Murphy Jockey: Colin Keane

Won the Ballysax and second in the Dante, historically two good pointers. Will be staying on strongly at the finish, no doubt, but whether he has the pace to stay in contention is another matter.

Rating: 7

2023 Epsom Derby verdict:

Undoubtedly this is one of the most open renewals for years and while it would have added to the intrigue had Auguste Rodin still had Triple Crown possibilities, the race carries far more interest as a betting medium given he was nearly last in the Guineas yet is still favourite.

Aidan O'Brien has worked bigger miracles than if he manages to get this one back to winning ways - but not many. He simply has to be taken on at the current prices and one who finished a long way in front of him at Newmarket was Dubai Mile.

Fifth over an inadequate mile there, he was a Group One winner over 10 furlongs in France at two and promises to thrive over a mile and a half.

Adayar's brother Military Order should be on the premises, while Sprewell appears to be heading to Epsom underrated from a yard going well and will be worth a nibble each-way.