Will there be a Bob Baffert in the Epsom Derby? There are 88 nominees for the English classic

The race will be on June 6 at Epsom Downs and will have a record prize of 2,000,000 pounds; Pierre Bonnard is the early favorite; the American nominated Greenwich Village

Gstaad, one of Aidan O'Brien's 24 entries for the Epsom Derby / ASCOT

The official publication of the entries confirmed that the 2026 Betfred Derby (G1), to be held on June 6 at Epsom Downs, has 88 three-year-olds in the race for a record purse of 2 million pounds. At the top of the international market appears a strong name: Pierre Bonnard, the early favorite after his victory in the French Criterium de Saint-Cloud(G1).

The son of Camelot is part of Aidan O'Brien's powerful army, with 24 entries seeking his twelfth Derby, which would extend an already imposing record of 11 victories. The Ballydoyle delegation includes Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett), Action (Frankel), and Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel), the 1-2-3 of the Futurity Trophy (G1) at Doncaster, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) and Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), who at 2 years old secured a G1 double in France.

The international dimension of the field is bolstered by the possible presence of Greenwich Village (Quality Road), who would be the first horse trained in the United States to run the Derby since 1993. Bob Baffert's trainee received a formal invitation, and his owners from SF Racing are seriously analyzing the option. "It's an intriguing opportunity. When we bought him, we were thinking about the Kentucky Derby (G1), so it would be a significant shift if he ended up at Epsom," explained Tom Ryan, highlighting that the colt evolved from short distances to the mile and that the biggest question mark is the mile and a half of the English classic.

Japan could also have representation with Akkan (Hawkbill) and Choreo Sequence (Saturnalia), while Franceappears with Ebiyar (Siyouni), prepared by Francis-Henri Graffard for the Aga Khan Studs. Ireland, beyond the O’Brien contingent, adds names like James J Braddock (Zarak), by Joseph O’Brien; the undefeated State Of Wyoming (Night of Thunder), under the care of Paddy Twomey; and Thesecretadversary (St Mark's Basilica), trained by Fozzy Stack.

On the local front, Charlie Appleby leads with 9 entries seeking his third Derby, followed by John and Thady Gosdenwith 7 and Andrew Balding with 6. Among the British, the most attractive in the betting is Raaheeb (Sea the Stars), a full brother to Baaeed and Hukum, trained by Owen Burrows and quoted at 25/1. In the market, Pierre Bonnard leads the way at 6/1, but the Derby has never been territory for certainties. With such a diversity of origins and styles, the 2026 edition promises a high-voltage generational and geographical clash. Epsom has already started to beat.