With the trials season for the £2 million Betfred Derby now complete, the picture for the premier Classic in 2026 is becoming clearer following contests at Chester, Lingfield Park, Leopardstown and York.
Chester was all about team Ballydoyle and trainer Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking a record-extending 12th Derby victory.
Benvenuto Cellini sprung to the head of Betfred’s Derby betting when he came home the authoritative winner of the Chester Vase – the same race Lambourn landed in 2025 prior to going on to Epsom Downs success.
The other Derby trial staged on the Roodee is the Dee Stakes and O’Brien was on the mark in this contest with Constitution River. The son of Wootton Bassett could not have been more impressive as he came home the stunning seven-length winner. Of course, the colt ran this past weekend in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and won,
It is 30 years since William Haggas landed the Derby with his first runner, Shaamit. Three decades on, the Newmarket-based trainer looks to have another serious Epsom Downs contender on his hands in Maltese Cross, who powered to a neck success over Bay Of Brilliance in the Lingfield Derby Trial.
Over in Ireland, it was James J Braddock who delivered the knockout punch in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, the Zarak colt got up on the line to defeat Pierre Bonnard, trained by Joseph’s father Aidan.
York’s Dante Stakes is always one of the strongest trials, providing a dozen Derby winners since 1960. There was a lot to like about the victory of Item in the 2026 running and he is now Betfred’s second favourite. Juddmonte’s homebred Frankel colt is trained by Andrew Balding and maintained his unbeaten record with a two-and-three-quarter length victory over Action.
The Jockey Club announced that His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen will attend Betfred Derby Day at Epsom Downs during the afternoon of Saturday 6th June 2026 and watch the prestigious Derby.
Their Majesties are joint Patrons of The Jockey Club, which owns and runs Epsom Downs Racecourse.
The Betfred Derby is regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and iconic horse races and will take place for the 247th time this weekend having been staged for the first time in 1780.
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At Saratoga, the Belmont Stakes, third jewel of the American Triple Crown, will feature Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo versus about eight rivals. The Belmont has been run at Saratoga since last year as Belmont is still being renovated and the distance of the race is 1 1/4 miles, rather than its usual 1 1/2 miles.
Trainer Chad Brown plans to send out Emerging Market, Growth Equity and Ottinho while Derby favourite Renegade may well be the betting favourite.
Chief Wallabee, 9-2
Commandment, 6-1
Emerging Market, 8-1
Powershift, 12-1
Golden Tempo, 3-1
Growth Equity, 15-1
Ottinho, 20-1
Renegade, 2-1
Vitruvian Man, 30-1
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