The 2026 Epsom Derby brings together a solid field headed by Aidan O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini, with leading British hope Item prominent in the market, ensuring a strongly run race over Epsom’s searching mile and a half.
The Derby Stakes, commonly known as the Epsom Derby or the Betfred Derby, is a Group 1 race for three year old colts and fillies over 1m4f at Epsom Downs, run on the first Saturday in June and regarded as the most prestigious of the five British Classics.
It forms the middle leg of the traditional English Triple Crown between the 2000 Guineas and the St Leger, although few modern horses attempt all three races.
The Derby was first run in 1780 and has been staged at Epsom in almost every year since, surviving changes of date, distance and even temporary wartime moves to Newmarket.
From 2023, Betfred took over as sponsor, and the total prize fund has been increased to around £2 million for 2026, with the winner receiving £1,000,000, underlining the continued importance of the race to owners and breeders.
Aidan O’Brien’s Four Runners
Aidan O’Brien has assembled another strong Derby team and will saddle four runners led by favourite Benvenuto Cellini.
Benvenuto Cellini comes into the race already proven at the trip, when winning the Chester Vase last month, and is viewed as the stable’s main contender.
Stablemate Pierre Bonnard also brings high-level form, and has shown a solid attitude in his races and is likely to be ridden to settle behind the pace before using his stamina late on.
Action adds depth to the Ballydoyle squad, as well as solid pattern race form that suggests he can be competitive if the race becomes a thorough test. His profile hints that a truly run 1m4f could bring further improvement.
Christmas Day, at 20/1, is another colt with winning form and should not be underestimated if he sees out the trip strongly.
Between them, the four O’Brien colts cover a range of running styles which gives the trainer options on pace and race position.
With Aidan O’Brien already the most successful trainer in Derby history, having already won the race eleven times including with Galileo, Camelot, Serpentine, Auguste Rodin, City Of Troy and Lambourn, his presence at the head of the market again reflects a sustained dominance in this race.
Odds For The 2026 Epsom Derby
Betting for the 2026 Epsom Derby is headed by Benvenuto Cellini at around 2/1, reflecting his position as the market leader and the horse that many punters will latch on to given his profile and connections.
Item, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Colin Keane, is clear second favourite at 4/1 and goes into this race two-for-two, notching up wins at both Bath and York this season.
Pierre Bonnard is trading at about 9/2, giving O’Brien the first and third in the betting, while James J Braddock, from Joseph O'Brien, and Maltese Cross, from William Haggas, are both available at around 10/1.
Bay Of Brilliance sits in the 12/1 range after consistent placed efforts and a recent run that suggested further improvement at this trip, while Action is around 14/1 as a possible each-way contender who could be involved if he builds on his latest start.
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Benvenuto Cellini (IRE) | A P O'Brien | 2/1 |
| 9 | Item | Andrew Balding | 4/1 |
| 12 | Pierre Bonnard (IRE) | A P O'Brien | 5/1 |
| 10 | James J Braddock | Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 10/1 |
| 11 | Maltese Cross (FR) | William Haggas | 10/1 |
| 6 | Bay Of Brilliance | Ralph Beckett | 14/1 |
| 1 | Action (IRE) | A P O'Brien | 14/1 |
| 3 | Ancient Egypt (IRE) | Charlie Johnston | 14/1 |
| 8 | Christmas Day (IRE) | A P O'Brien | 20/1 |
| 14 | Rebel Rocker | Faye Bramley | 100/1 |
| 5 | Balzac (GER) | Jane Chapple-Hyam | 150/1 |
| 4 | A Taste Of Glory (GER) | Andrew Balding | 200/1 |
| 2 | Alderman | Richard Hannon | 200/1 |
| 13 | Poker (IRE) | K R Burke | 200/1 |
Despite having only 14 runners, the rank outsiders are currently on huge odds of 200/1 with A Taste Of Glory, Alderman and Poker all needing significant improvement to trouble the principals.
For many punters the key question will be whether to keep faith with the favourite or seek value in the second tier headed by Item and Pierre Bonnard.
Trends From Past Winners
Over the last two decades the Derby has generally favoured horses that stay at least 1m2f strongly beforehand and can handle a big field around Epsom’s unique left-handed, cambered track.
Draw data suggests that runners from the lowest stalls have found it harder to win, while middle to high draws around 10 to 12 have enjoyed greater success. That pattern reflects the balance between obtaining a good early position and avoiding traffic or being forced wide into Tattenham Corner.
Age is fixed at three, but experience also matters: many recent winners had three to five prior runs, giving enough seasoning without leaving their best efforts behind in earlier trials.
The race has also been kind to horses trained by Aidan O’Brien, who has dominated since 2001, and to those coming from the main spring trials at Newmarket, York and Chester.
Punters often look for a colt that has already shown Group class form, is bred to stay 1m4f and brings a smooth, uncomplicated running style that can cope with Epsom’s downhill sections and the long home straight.
More Than Just Another Race
One of the most interesting aspects of the Derby is how it has shaped the wider racing and sporting landscape. The name has been adopted worldwide, from the Kentucky Derby to national classics across Europe, yet in Britain “the Derby” still refers to this single race at Epsom.
The event has also been closely tied to betting culture for more than two centuries, with notable controversies such as the 1844 Running Rein case underlining how much has always been at stake off the track as well as on it.
Today the Derby remains both a major betting heat and a key pointer to future stallions, with recent winners like Sea The Stars, Camelot and Australia going on to make a significant impact at stud.
For the 2026 Epsom Derby, the presence of a strong favourite in Benvenuto Cellini, a well regarded British challenger in Item and a cluster of improving colts behind them ensures that Epsom will again play host to a race that can redefine the three year old generation in a single lap of the Downs.
BETFRED
