Latest Epsom Derby Betting

In terms of Thoroughbred horse races, none holds more tradition and prestige
than the Epsom Derby, held every year in Surrey, England. In fact, it is known
by most in the country as just “The Derby,” as if to separate it from all of the
other “Derby” races around the world that have followed in its wake. (Due to a
corporate sponsor of the race, it is also now known as the Investec Derby.)

Previous Epsom Derby Winners. Sea the Stars is the latest in a long list of great horses to win the Epsom Derby. The Irish Thoroughbred’s win at Epsom in 2009 made him the first colt in 17 years to win the 2000 Guinea, Derby, and Eclipse Stakes, and he also claimed the International Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, and prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe that season. Epsom Downs horse racing betting odds and racecourse guide.

On that first Saturday in the month of June each year, the entire nation of Great
Britain, as well as millions of horse racing fans watching and betting online,
are in thrall to this amazing race.

If you are considering betting on the Epsom Derby,
here are the sites we highly recommend.

The Epsom Derby goes back farther than most major horse races, as its first
running was held back in 1780. It is contested over a distance of approximately
1.5 miles (2,420 meters) on the grass at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Only
three-year-old colts and fillies are eligible for the race, and it stands as the
second leg of British horse racing’s Triple Crown.

Many of the country’s greatest racing superstars have made their mark with
wins in the Epsom Derby. The race is also noted for the pomp surrounding it,
with a carnival atmosphere that takes place over several days at the track and
draws thousands of fans to the area.

More than anything, it is a lure for horse
racing bettors, or “punters” as they are known in Great Britain, who make their
wagers either at the track, in betting shops around the country, or at some of
the many horse
racing betting websites which include the Derby as part of their offerings.

Epsom Derby History

The Earls of Derby expressed great interest in horses and racing all the way
back to the 17^th century. In 1779, the Epsom Oaks, a race for
three-year-old fillies, was initiated, and it stands as the sister race to the
Derby.

A year later, the Epsom Derby began, and legend has it that the name of
the race came down to a coin flip between the twelfth Earl of Derby and his
house guest at the time, Sir Charles Bunbury.

The Earl won that flip with a call of heads, and on May 4, 1780, a horse
named Diomed captured the first running of the Epsom Derby. Initial Derby races
were contested at a mile, but four years later, the distance was stretched out
to the more familiar mile and a half.

Because the race was held during the coinciding Epsom Fair in the area, it
was often run in the middle of the week. In 1995, the Derby was permanently
moved to the first Saturday each June. This was in part to draw larger crowds to
the event who might have been otherwise working during the week.

Over time, the Epsom Derby came to be recognized as the middle leg of
Great
Britain’s Triple Crown. The other two races included were the 2,000 Guineas
Stakes and the St. Leger Stakes. Incredibly, only 15 horses have won all three
races since 1809 when they were all held in the same year for the first time.

In a sense, the Epsom Derby first went national when radio became involved,
with the initial BBC broadcast in 1927. In 1960, the BBC and ITV first televised
the event for a national audience. Now, as befitting a major horse racing event
that often draws international interest, many online
gambling sites offer worldwide bettors the chance to participate in this
one-of-a-kind race.

Classic Epsom Derby Champions

As you look back through history, you will see an incredible list of
champions of the Derby, many of whom stand out as some of the best Thoroughbreds
in British racing. In 1886, Ormonde made the Epsom Derby part of his incredible
unbeaten run, as he eventually finished his career without a loss after 16
races.

Going down the line, the legendary Sea-Bird could stake a claim as the
greatest Derby winner ever, as he would win seven of eight career races,
including a victory in the equally prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in
France.

1971 saw Mill Reef capture the Epsom Derby as part of his long-standing
rivalry with Brigadier Gerard; Mill Reef won 12 of 14 races. Four years later,
Grundy would win the Derby just a month or so before he would go on to win the
so-called “Race of the Century” against Bustino. In 1981, Shergar made a mockery
of the field, winning by 10 lengths, which is still a record.

Finally, in 2009, Sea-Bird rolled to an impressive victory in the Epsom Derby
and staked his claim as an all-time champion. He had also won the 2,000 Guineas
Stakes and decided against a chance at the Triple Crown, racing instead against
older horses in the Eclipse Stakes. The colt would go on to win that race as
well as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Notable Epsom Derby Races

Eleanor became the first ever female winner of the race. There have
been six fillies total to come home a winner.

Middleton and Amato, the two winners during these years, had never
raced before the Derby and would never race again.

In perhaps the greatest controversy in Derby history, a horse named
Running Rein came across the line first. However, it was claimed that this horse
was actually a four-year-old imposter who had been substituted for the real
Running Rein.

Judges disqualified this horse and named second-place finisher
Orlando the winner.

For the only time in Epsom Derby history, the race ended in a dead heat
for the win, with Harvester and St. Gatien coming across the line together.

Mirrors captured the Derby, which made him the first horse with regal
ownership to do so. King Edward VII owned the horse.

Another controversial finish. Heavy favorite Craganour and long shot
Aboyeur battled in the stretch violently, as both jockeys appeared to steer
their horses into one another. After a long debate among track officials,
Aboyeur was awarded the victory by disqualification at 100-1, which matched the
longest odds for a winner in race history.

The race, won by Airborne, marked the first appearance by then-Princess
Elizabeth at the Epsom Derby. She would go on to be Queen.

Nijinsky, the last of the British Triple Crown winners, won the Derby
on his way to that amazing accomplishment.

As Pour Moi crossed the line, his teenage jockey, Mickael Barzalona,
stood up in the saddle to celebrate before the finish line. He was reprimanded
for his actions.

Recent Epsom Derby Champions

Epsom Derby Traditions

The Epsom Derby is part of a much larger celebration known as the Epsom Fair.
In its earliest runnings, the race was merely part of the festivities. In recent
times, however, the Derby has transitioned into the centerpiece of the four-day
event, what with its worldwide audience and tremendous betting interest.

Still, a lot of the old traditions
remain, such as Ladies Day on the Friday before the Derby. On that day, the
Epsom Oaks is run, and the day is known for the extremely fashionable styles
worn by those who attend.

On the Saturday of the Epsom Derby, a carnival-like
atmosphere pervades on the “Hill,” which is essentially the infield of the
racing surface.

For those who are interested in staying with the elite while watching the
race, you can check out the Queen’s Stand. There, only the finest attire is
allowed, including top hat and tails for men. The grandstand area also has a
dress code that insists upon somewhat formal attire for a horse race.

The Epsom Derby Betting Frequently Asked Questions

It is impossible to even think about such a major horse racing event as the
Epsom Derby without considering the betting that goes on. If you’re new to the
betting aspect
of horse racing, here is a quick primer on how to go about it and get the
most enjoyment from this incredible race.

Where Do I Bet on the Epsom Derby?

If you are one of those lucky enough to attend this historical, exciting
race, you can place a bet right there on site. One of the aspects that
distinguishes British horse racing is the presence of bookmakers to take your
wagers. The bookmakers act independently of one another, meaning that you can
potentially look around for the best odds for the horse of your choosing.

You have to realize that the bookmakers offer fixed odds. That means that
once you make a bet, your odds will not change as the race approaches. Some
prefer knowing that their odds are set in stone, especially if they can get
favorable ones on their horse of choice.

By contrast, you can also find tote wagering at the Epsom Derby. Tote
wagering is distinguished by pools that accumulate all of the money wagered.
Your winnings, should your bet come in the way you wanted, are determined by the
size of those pools and the number of winners.

In the case of tote wagering, you can expect the odds to change right up
until the moment of the race when all the betting is closed. Only then will you
know the final odds for the horse in question. The idea with tote wagering is to
find a horse, or horses, that is undervalued by the betting public at large and
hope that it performs well.

Is There Online Wagering Available on the Epsom Derby?

If you can’t make it out to the Derby, many of the top bookmaking
organizations in Great Britain offer online services. Or you can just find an
online wagering site that caters to international horse racing. Since the Epsom
Derby is a race of great renown, you can expect that you will be able to make
wagers in this manner.

When choosing such a site, it’s important to find one that suits your needs.
Those needs might pertain to the bonuses that you get for signing on to the
website. Or it can be in terms of the minimums and the timing of the withdrawals
and deposits.

With online gambling being such a major business these days, you can rest
assured that the variety of sites catering to your interest in the Epsom Derby
will be extensive. Keep in mind, though, that not all of them are secure,
reliable, pay out quickly, offer a variety of wagers, and present you with a
great user experience.

But choose one from our carefully-composed list above,
and your experience should be a positive one, especially if you can pick the
winners.

What Kinds of Bets Can I Make on the Epsom Derby?

The two main bets that are made by the casual bettor at the Epsom Derby are
win and place bets. Sometimes they are made in tandem for what is called an Each
Way bet. The Each Way bet is similar to an across-the-board bet for those who
are familiar with
American horse race betting.

Epsom Derby Winners

If you bet a horse to win, it is just as it sounds: a bet that you’ll win if
the horse finishes first. A place bet returns you money if the horse finishes
first, second, or third. The odds will be determined by either the bookmaker or
the totes, depending on which system you prefer.

There are also accumulator bets available in all kinds of variations.
Accumulator bets require the gambler to hit every one of a combination of wagers
to win the bet. Because it is difficult to hit an accumulator bet, at the Epsom
Derby or anywhere, the chance for rewards is great even if you only put a small
amount down as payment.

Once you know the bets, you can go about strategizing on
which horses to choose. In the end, win or lose, you’ll likely enjoy the
rush of it. And if nothing else, you will have witnessed the Epsom Derby, one of
the greatest horse races in the world.

The Derby is a Group 1 race run over a mile and a half at Epsom on the first Saturday in June, and is often referred to as the ‘Blue Riband’ of Flat racing. It is seen as the most prestigious of the five Classics, especially important when it comes to the breeding of racehorses, and is open to three-year-old colts and fillies.

The name ‘Derby’ has become synonymous with races all over the world, the most famous perhaps the Kentucky Derby in America, but the Derby at Epsom is the original, first run in 1780.

Epsom Derby Top Trainer in recent times

Fred Darling – 7 wins

Captain Cuttle (1922), Manna (1925), Coronach (1926), Cameronian (1931), Bois Roussel (1938), Pont l'Eveque (1940), Owen Tudor (1941)

Epsom Derby Top Jockey in recent times

Lester Piggott – 9 wins

Never Say Die (1954), Crepello (1957), St. Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977), Teenoso (1983)

Masar (blue) leading home Dee Ex Bee (silver) and Roaring Lion (maroon) in the 2018 Derby

Epsom Derby Racecard

The Derby is the feature race, but there is plenty to get your teeth stuck into elsewhere on the card, notably the Epsom Dash, which is one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the racing calendar. Races include:

Princess Elizabeth Stakes - A Group 3 over a mile and a hundred yards for fillies’ and mares aged three and older.

Latest Epsom Derby Betting Horse Racing

Diomed Stakes - A Group 3 over a mile and a hundred yards for colts and geldings aged three and older.

Epsom Dash - A five-furlong handicap open to horses aged three and older.

Derby – The feature race of the day.

Caspian Prince (left) has won the Epsom Dash three times since 2014

Epsom Derby Betting

There is massive interest in betting on the Epsom Derby both with Online and betting shop bookies in the UK & Ireland. The Derby is the most prestigious Classic and is shown on ITVwhere a huge audience will tune in to cheer on the UK & Irish runners. One of the biggest races of the Flat season, most Online bookies will have enhanced offers on, including paying an extra place for each-way bets, so you are advised to shop around before placing your bets.

Epsom Derby Free Bets & Betting Offers

As with any big race, the top online bookies like Paddy Power and Betfair will have Epsom Derby Free Betsand Epsom Derby betting offers. Often the bookies will give you an enhanced price on one of the favourites, or they may offer a Bet Through The Card – get free bets when you bet on the first race of the Derby meeting. Either way, we have you covered here with the best sign-up offer and betting specials for the Derby.

Epsom Derby Runners & Form

Timeform is your best bet for finding the winner of the Epsom Derby. When the race card for Derby Day is available over on our Races page, you will be able to find the latest form and insight on all of the Derby runners from the team of expert tipsters at Timeform. Our Derby runner-by-runner guides will be available on our website and on our mobile app.

Epsom Derby Tips

Want to know which horses the expert Timeform Tipsters are backing on Derby Day? You can get free tips for every race on Derby Day either on the Timeform website or app, in the form of the Tip Sheet, or choose to follow one of our profitable premium tipping services such as TV Focus, which picks out the best bets on all races televised on ITV Racing. However you like to bet, Timeform has you covered withEpsom Derby betting tips.

Epsom Derby Latest News, Odds & Results

Follow all the build up to the Derby on the News pages at Timeform. Whether you are after the latest Epsom Derby betting odds, market movers, going updates and non-runners, plus the latest from the stables of the top horses for the Derby, you’ll find it right here. Simply want to know which horse was first past the post? Then go to our Results page to get the latestEpsom Derby results.

Epsom Derby Past Winners – this Century