The Betting Favourites to Win the 2025 Epsom Derby

Horse racing has a wonderful way of throwing up moments of sheer dominance — or utter surprise. And few races capture that drama quite like the Epsom Derby.

Held annually at the iconic Epsom Downs Racecourse, the Derby is the crown jewel of British flat racing and arguably the most prestigious race of its kind anywhere in the world.

With the 2025 edition just around the corner, excitement is building — and so is speculation around the top contenders.

As always, the betting markets offer a useful guide to who the key runners are, and this year a fascinating trio of favourites have emerged: The Lion in Winter, Ruling Court and Delacroix.

Let’s take a closer look at these main players in what promises to be a memorable renewal of the Derby.

The Lion in Winter Leads the Market at 7/2

Topping the betting for the 2025 Epsom Derby is The Lion in Winter, currently best priced at 7/2.

Trained by the legendary Aidan O’Brien, this colt has captured the attention of punters and racing experts alike with dominant performances as a two-year-old, including going away when winning impressively on debut at the Curragh and then following that up with a superb win in a Group 3 at York last Summer.

The Lion In Winter enjoying a well-earned snack after morning exercise 😋

This Ballydoyle three-year-old is the Epsom Derby favourite

📸 : Healy Racing pic.twitter.com/FbgNkkBkr0

— irishracing.com (@irishracing) March 25, 2025

What sets The Lion in Winter apart is his combination of raw speed and a cool, unflustered running style.

He’s already proven he can handle a mile, and the expectation is that stepping up to the Derby’s mile-and-a-half distance won’t pose any issues — especially given his strong late finishes.

O’Brien has made the Derby his personal playground in recent years, and with The Lion in Winter, he looks to have another serious contender for a record-extending 11th win in the race.

Delacroix Emerging as a Major Threat

While the spotlight has largely been on The Lion in Winter in the run up to the Derby, another serious contender has emerged in the form of Delacroix, currently shortening in the betting into a price of around 3/1 after an eye-catching trial performance.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Delacroix is fast becoming one of the most talked-about horses heading into the 2025 Epsom Derby.

His recent victory in a key Derby trial at Leopardstown turned heads, not just because he won — but how he won.

Showing a potent mix of stamina and flair, Delacroix hit the front with authority and powered clear in the closing stages, strongly suggesting he’ll relish the mile-and-a-half trip at Epsom.

That performance clearly made an impression on the Ballydoyle camp, with O’Brien himself commenting that it would be “hard for Ryan Moore not to ride him” given the commanding nature of his run.

What makes Delacroix even more intriguing is his progression. He’s a horse who has clearly improved with each outing, gaining confidence and maturity — the exact profile you want in a Derby contender.

While others may have more hype, Delacroix is fast gaining momentum as a late mover in the market.

With his proven ability to handle undulating ground and a tactical versatility that suits a complex race like the Derby, Delacroix looks poised to play a significant role. If he continues on this upward curve, he could well give O’Brien yet another Derby victory — and at a price that still offers plenty of value for punters.

Ruling Court Enters the Frame After Guineas Win

After his impressive win in the 2,000 Guineas, the Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court has seen his odds slashed for the Derby, from around 12/1 into just 4/1.

That is not surprising given the quality of his performance and the way he moved clear of his rivals at Newmarket.

That win came off a triumph in the Jumeirah Guineas, a listed race at Meydan over a mile in March, after winning a maiden at Sandown on debut and finishing third to The Lion in Winter in a Group 3 race at York last summer.

The Kentucky-based Godolphin horse has yet to run more than 8 furlongs and there are question marks over whether he has the stamina for the exertions of the Epsom course.

Connections do not appear to be worried on that front however, with jockey William Buick, who rode him to the 2,000 Guineas win commenting afterwards: “He feels like a horse who could get further as well. A huge engine and that was only his fourth run.”

The bigger question may be whether Ruling Court can get the better of The Lion in Winter and overturn the form from York last year.

The bookies can barely separate them at the moment so it looks like it could be a fascinating contest at Epsom in June.

Contender Twain Withdrawn

One of the more intriguing contenders in the 2025 field was Twain, who traded around the 8/1 mark but has now sadly been withdrawn from the race.

Also trained by Aidan O’Brien, this colt is seen as a classic middle-distance type and has been expertly handled throughout his career so far.

A hugely impressive six length victory on debut at Leopardstown at odds of 28/1 was followed up by a gutsy win in the Group One Criterium International over at Saint Cloud in France.

Twain, the current 2000 Guineas favourite, at Ballydoyle this morning pic.twitter.com/insHwl7Xla

— PA Racing (@PAracing) April 14, 2025

Twain did have a 2,000 Guineas entry, but it was decided to withdraw him from that and now from the Derby too.

Without any form to go on this year it is tough to gauge Twain’s true chances in the race. With a lineage that includes past Derby winner Montjeu, few should doubt his class however.

Twain does still have entries in the Irish Derby and Coral-Eclipse so he should get the chance to prove his worth later this season.

One of the Most Open Derbies in Years?

While The Lion in Winter is the clear market leader for now, this year’s Derby has the feel of a wide-open contest.

Each of the top three in the betting brings something different to the table — class, staying power, or a touch of the unknown — and none can be confidently ruled out.

Much may depend on how the race unfolds tactically, and as always, track position and handling the undulating Epsom course will be key. But with these three exciting prospects leading the way, the 2025 Epsom Derby is shaping up to be one for the ages.

The Betting Favourites to Win the 2025 Epsom Derby