Ruling Court and Delacroix Set for High-Class Derby Showdown at Epsom

The undefeated Godolphin colt will look to extend his perfect record and edge closer to greatness, but faces a stern test against the top representatives from Coolmore and Ballydoyle

Ruling Court, winner of the 2000 Guineas and a live Triple Crown contender / NEWMARKET

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The legendary Federico Tesio once said: “The Thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended not on experts, technicians, or biologists, but on a piece of wood—the winning post at Epsom.”

Such is the significance of the historic Epsom Derby (G1), the cornerstone of the English racing calendar, which will hold another unforgettable edition this Saturday on the undulating turf of Epsom Downs. A global highlight, the race will unfold just hours before the Belmont Stakes (G1) across the Atlantic at Saratoga, the final leg of the U.S. Triple Crown, making for a blockbuster weekend of classic action.

Open to 3-year-olds, colts and fillies, with geldings excluded, this year’s Derby has drawn a full field of 19, led by Ruling Court (Justify), the Godolphin standard-bearer who captured the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in convincing fashion. Trained by Charlie Appleby and with William Buick aboard, the unbeaten colt will attempt the demanding leap from a straight mile to Epsom’s testing 2400 meters—navigating the treacherous Tattenham Cornerin the process.

Should he succeed, Ruling Court would be just one step away from the elusive British Triple Crown, last achieved in 1970 by the immortal Nijinsky (Northern Dancer), with the G1 St Leger at Doncaster looming as the final leg later this year.

Standing firmly in his path is Delacroix, the Coolmore colt trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, a horse many British bookmakers have installed as the favorite. With a regal pedigree—by Dubawi out of the unforgettable champion mare Tepin (Bernstein)—Delacroix is unbeaten this season after wins in both the G3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes and the G3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes, each contested over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown.

Delacroix already turned heads at two, capturing the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, and finishing second in both the G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster and the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes in Ireland.

Ballydoyle will also be represented by The Lion In Winter (Sea the Stars) and Lambourn (Australia), who will have Colin Keane and Wayne Lordan in the irons, respectively. The former was undefeated at two and won the G3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, but failed to fire in his 2025 return, finishing sixth behind Pride of Arras (New Bay) in the G2 Dante Stakes—that rival also lines up on Saturday. Lambourn, meanwhile, made a strong statement last time out with a sharp score in the G3 Chester Vase, signaling he’s no mere outsider.

The always-formidable John and Thady Gosden team will saddle two Frankel colts in Damysus and Nightwalker, though both appear to be longshots based on form and expectations.

Adding an international and historical flair, the Aga Khan’s colors will be carried by the French raider Midak(Footstepsinthesand), as he tries to follow in the footsteps of past greats with cross-Channel success.

Rounding out the field are a diverse and intriguing group of contenders: Stanhope Gardens (Ghaiyyath), Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett), Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot), New Ground (New Bay), Lazy Griff (Protectionist), Tuscan Hills (Night of Thunder), Sea Scout (Sea the Stars), Al Wasl Storm (Affinisea), Green Storm (Circus Maximus), Nightime Dancer (Ghaiyyath), and Rogue Impact (Study of Man).

As Tesio implied, history doesn’t just pass through Epsom—it is written there.