The last five winners of the Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby is the most prestigious Flat race in Britain, a 12-furlong test of stamina, class, and temperament that has defined the careers of generations of three-year-olds.
Whether you are betting on the Derby and beyond or simply following the sport, knowing the recent roll of honour is essential context.
These are the horses who have written their names into Classic history since 2021, and each of their victories tells its own story. From front-running brilliance to dramatic redemptions, the last five runnings have provided plenty for horse racing bets to be shaped around in the years that follow.
2021: Adayar
Adayar sprang a 16-1 surprise to come home a wide-margin winner under Adam Kirby at Epsom, trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin. The victory carried an extra dimension of sentiment: Kirby had lost the ride on fellow contender John Leeper to Frankie Dettori earlier that week, only for Appleby to keep faith and put him up on Adayar instead.
It was a landmark win for the legendary Frankel, sire of the winner, as Adayar quickened up to the line to claim victory by four and a half lengths. Mojo Star, a 50-1 chance, ran a huge race into second, with stablemate Hurricane Lane a further three and a quarter lengths back in third, while 11-8 market leader Bolshoi Ballet finished seventh.
2022: Desert Crown
Desert Crown, the 5-2 favourite, beat 150-1 shot Hoo Ya Mal and Westover to win the 2022 Derby at Epsom, giving jockey Richard Kingscote his first Classic win and trainer Sir Michael Stoute his sixth victory in the race. The son of Nathaniel won on just his third career start, carving his name into the folklore of a 242-year-old race.
The race was put to bed shortly into the home straight, with Kingscote electing not to wait any longer approaching the two-furlong pole, allowing his mount to stride to the front. He only needed to be ridden out to record a two-and-a-half-length victory. The race was run in memory of Lester Piggott, who had passed away in the week prior.
2023: Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin’s path to Derby glory followed a by now familiar Ballydoyle script. Having endured a flop in the 2000 Guineas on seasonal reappearance, Aidan O’Brien brought him back to win at Epsom, mirroring what he would do with stablemate City Of Troy 12 months later. The colt was ridden by Ryan Moore and owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs J Magnier and Westerberg.
The victory was O’Brien’s ninth in the race, further extending his unmatched record as the most successful trainer in the history of the Classic.
2024: City Of Troy
After weeks of speculation and debate, City Of Troy silenced all his doubters with a commanding victory in the 2024 Derby at Epsom, providing O’Brien with a record-extending 10th triumph. The son of Justify bounced back from a puzzling below-par performance in the 2000 Guineas, with O’Brien having openly admitted to under-preparing him for Newmarket. R
yan Moore weaved through traffic along the inside entering the straight, and City Of Troy forged into a three-length lead. Ambiente Friendly tried to close the gap but to no avail, as the favourite won comfortably. In the aftermath, O’Brien declared him, without hesitation, the best Derby winner he had ever trained.
2025: Lambourn
Lambourn provided O’Brien with his 11th victory in the Derby when making almost all the running in the Epsom showpiece. An Irish-bred bay colt by Australia, he was owned by Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor, and ridden by Wayne Lordan, who was winning the race at his ninth attempt.
Lambourn had been considered a third-string Ballydoyle runner behind favourite Delacroix, yet he led from start to finish, with Delacroix never getting into contention and finishing ninth of the 18 runners. The winning margin was three and three-quarter lengths over Lazy Griff, with Tennessee Stud a length back in third.
