How to place a bet on this year’s Epsom Derby
Saturday’s Epsom Derby is one of the biggest races in the flat racing campaign – a history-packed classic that takes pride of place on the season’s calendar.
Run over a mile, four furlongs and ten meters at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Winners need stamina and skill to beat the twisty turns of the left-handed track, but winning here will permanently write your name in the history books.
This year’s race marks the final Derby outing for legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, who will attempt to claim victory over Arrest.
Like the Grand National, it is a race that brings out casual horse race bettors and experts alike. Anyone can have a go at choosing the winner.
Before Saturday’s race, Mail Sport will show you how to place a bet and make your selection. Remember you must be over 18 to place a bet and please responsible gambling.
Desert Crown (yellow with blue sleeves) was victorious at the Epsom Downs gig last year
Frankie Dettori hopes for fairytale final Derby outing ahead of John and Thady Gosden arrest
How can I bet on the Epsom Derby?
Each bookmaker (‘the bookmakers’ for short) has a website or an app that allows you to place your bet after signing up for an account. For a high-profile classic like the Derby, many may have offers in addition to their introductory ones.
When you’re at Epsom, or rather hit the shops, you can visit a bookmaker and bet in person – all you have to do is decide how you’re going to do it…
How do I choose a horse?
As you Like It! There are different approaches, ranging from emotional to very knowledgeable.
Perhaps the jockey’s colors are particularly attractive, or does the horse have an interesting name?
If you decide to take a closer look at form, there are a number of different elements to consider, such as who the horse’s jockey is, or their trainer, and whether either is having a successful season.
Bookies will be personally present next to the course in preparation for a busy day of action
Wings of Eagle (purple and white side) was the 40/1 long-shot winner on Derby Day in 2017
Another aspect worth considering is the ‘going’: what the surface of the track is like on the day and whether the horse has a preference for a particular type. Soil can range from heavy (very wet and soggy), soft (wet), good (dry, but with some slack in the turf), and firm (hard and dry), and not all horses will be able to excel in every condition.
Last year’s winner Desert Crown was the favorite and duly won at a reduced price 2/5. But some of the champions in the recent past have been outsiders, including Wings of Eagles in 2017 who won at 40/1 and Serpentine, priced at 25/1 in 2020.
How does It work?
Odds are calculated based on the horse’s chances of winning the race, with lower odds given to those with the greatest chance of winning. If a horse is 4/1, bookmakers think it is much more likely to beat a horse with a price of 40/1. The ‘favourite’ is the horse with the smallest odds.
The easiest way to place a bet is to choose a horse to win: if it does, you get your initial stake plus your winnings based on the odds.
However, if you want to increase your chances of a return on your stake, you can place an Each Way bet. This is when two bets are placed on a horse at the same time – the first being a ‘to win’ bet and the second being the horse placing.
If the horse qualifies – which in Derby this year means finishing between first and fourth place – you win one fifth of the horse’s chance of winning. This in every way makes betting a more valuable way to support horses with longer odds.
For example, if you were to bet £1 on San Antonio at 20/1 with an Each Way bet, this would effectively be two 50p bets. If the horse finished third, you would receive £2.50 – with £1.50 of that winnings.
If you placed the same £1 on San Antonio to win outright and the horse did, you would receive £21 consisting of your £20 winnings and your £1 initial bet.
Which horses run?
Auguste Rodin 10/3
Military Order 7/2
To arrest 4/1
Passenger 13/2
spread 1/11
White birch 12/1
The foxes 14/1
Dubai miles 18/1
Waipiro 18/1
San Antonio 20/1
Artistic star 28/1
Adelaide River 33/1
King of steel 50/1
Dear my friend 80/1
Opportunities provided by Paddy Power and correct as of June 2
Auguste Rodin is the bookmakers favorite and will start the race from lucky stall number 10
…and why not consider the expert opinion of Mail Sport’s top tipster?
Here, Mail Sport’s top tipster Sam Turner rates the runners and riders ahead of Saturday’s big race.
THE ADELAIDE RIVER
Well held by Arrest in both starts on either side of a winter break and limitations seem to have come to light at this level – *
TO ARREST
Plowed through the mud to beat Adelaide River at Chester and also closely matched with the Dubai Mile in October; should give Frankie a good final spin – ***
ARTISTIC STAR
Progressive and unexposed colt who coped well with a cut in the ground to win cleanly at Nottingham and Sandown. Can impress if inexperience doesn’t count against him – ***
Artistic Star may be inexperienced, but Sam Turner rates Ralph Beckett’s colt as a surprise
Aidan O’Brien is on the hunt for his ninth Derby winner – but the trainer already holds the record for the highest number of race wins
AUGUST RODIN
Failed to fire in the 2,000 Guineas but wouldn’t be the first of his stable to rebound in style and youthful form entitles him to strong attention – ****
DEAR MY FRIEND
Placed in a youth group 3 over ten furlongs and far from disgraced in the Dante Stakes at York, but the balance in form suggests he is more of a bookie’s friend than a gambler – *
DUBAI MILES
Posted a fine Derby trial in the 2,000 Guineas and closely matched Arrest and The Foxes on youthful form so looks able to lend a hand with trip likely to fit – ***
KING OF STEEL
Talented 2-year-old who was withdrawn at the start of the Dante Stakes after being upset at the stalls; keeping temper under control given the current atmosphere will not be an easy task – **
MILITARYY ORDER
Caught the bookmakers’ attention with a classy comeback win at Newbury and consolidated Derby claims with a bold Lingfield Trial win. Brother of winner Adayar in 2021 and probably better again – *****
PASSENGER
A smooth first win at Newmarket preceded an unlucky run in the Dante Stakes behind The Foxes. So unlike his trainer to rush a horse off his profile, it remains an intriguing prospect – ****
SAN ANTONIO
Can race sharply but looked strong at Chester the stretched out ten furlongs as he outsmarted Alder and certainly looks set to step back out front after this stiffer test – ***
Passenger was victorious at Chester’s May Festival in the Boodles Dee Stakes
Oisin Murphy and The Foxes (blue and white silk) could cause an upset with a strong showing
SPREWELL
Talented colt ready for a Leopardstown trial for this race. Only tackled easy conditions so far, but a major player when it comes to faster conditions – ***
THE FOXES
Well ridden to inches home from White Birch in a messy refresh of York’s Dante Stakes and big claims if today’s journey doesn’t affect his stamina – ****
WAIPIRO
Made huge strides this season and stepped up Newmarket’s first win with a fine defeat at Lingfield behind Military Order; looks like a living outsider – ****
WHITE BIRCH
Compromised by a slow start before finishing strong in the Dante Stakes behind The Foxes. Definitely looking to enjoy this trip and seems like frame material if it breaks better – ***
