Who will take the Betfred Derby title this year?
Features | 28th May 2024
The Betfred Derby is the race everyone in Flat racing wants to win.
Ever since the coveted Classic was first run in 1780, the sport’s greatest jockeys have been trying to add their names to the Epsom roll of honour. The legendary status of the likes of Fred Archer and Lester Piggott were born around the twists and turns of the unique racecourse.
Here’s a look at some of the riders likely to be lining up in this year’s Betfred Derby.
Ryan Moore
Age: 40
Likely Derby mount: City Of Troy
Derby rides: 18
Best finishing position: Won on Workforce (2010), Ruler Of The World (2013), Auguste Rodin (2023)
Derby prospects: City Of Troy looked a potential superstar when his three impressive wins saw him crowned champion two-year-old last year but he needs to bounce back from a desperately disappointing QIPCO 2000 Guineas effort.
Interesting fact: Ryan was a talented schoolboy footballer, as well as showing clear promise as a rider. He had trials with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rab Havlin
Age: 50
Likely Derby mount: Ambiente Friendly
Derby rides: Two
Best finishing position: Seventh on Humanitarian (2019)
Derby prospects: Ambiente Friendly burst into the Classic picture when an impressive winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial.
Interesting fact: When Rab learned to ride as a child he was unaware his dad had ambitions to become a jockey. He had moved to Newmarket to chase his dream as a rider but became homesick and ended up returning to Scotland to work on oil rigs.
Wayne Lordan
Age: 42
Likely Derby mount: Los Angeles
Derby rides: Seven
Best finishing position: Third on Galileo Rock (2013) and Japan (2019)
Derby prospects: Los Angeles is unbeaten in three starts and he looked a strong stayer when landing the Leopardstown Derby Trial.
Interesting fact: Wayne was so small when he started as a rider, working for family friend Thomond O’Mara that he had to step on a large teapot to be able to reach high enough to put a bridle on the horses.
William Buick
Age: 35
Likely Derby mount: Ancient Wisdom
Derby rides: 12
Best finishing position: Won on Masar (2018)
Derby prospects: Ancient Wisdom ended last season with Group 1 glory in the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster but he was left trailing by Economics in the Dante Stakes on his return to action this year.
Interesting fact: William was born in Norway. He is fluent in Norwegian, Danish, German and, of course, English.
Dylan Brown McMonagle
Age: 21
Likely Derby mount: Dancing Gemini
Derby rides: None
Best finishing position: Derby debut
Derby prospects: Dancing Gemini finished runner-up in the French 2000 Guineas and he is bred to like the step up to the Derby distance.
Interesting fact: Sir AP McCoy saw Dylan in ‘Five Stone Of Lead’ – an award-winning short film about his pony racing exploits – and invited the then 12-year-old rider to spend time with the 20-times champion jockey.
Rossa Ryan
Age: 23
Likely Derby mount: Macduff
Derby rides: None
Best finishing position: Derby debut
Derby prospects: Macduff should improve a lot for his comeback second in the Sandown Classic Trial.
Interesting fact: Growing up Rossa kept fit training with Corofin – the five-time All Ireland football champions – in his native Galway.
Oisin Murphy
Age: 28
Likely Derby mount: Bellum Justum
Derby rides: Seven
Best finishing position: Third on Roaring Lion (2018)
Derby prospects: Bellum Justum already has experience of the unique Epsom course as he landed the Blue Riband Trial on his first start of the season.
Interesting fact: Oisin wanted to be a builder when he was a child. Those ambitions were swiftly changed when, aged seven, he dropped a concrete block on his foot.
Pat Dobbs
Age: 46
Likely Derby mount: Voyage
Derby rides: One
Best finishing position: Tenth on Moheet (2015)
Derby prospects: Voyage is the least experienced horse in the race having made a winning debut in a Newbury novice race in April.
Interesting fact: Pat is already a Classic-winning owner. Ballymac Beanie, the greyhound he owns with his brother Alan and sister-in-law Ciara, won the 2020 Irish Oaks.
David Egan
Age: 24
Likely Derby mount: Dallas Star
Derby rides: Two
Best finishing position: Second on Mojo Star (2021)
Derby prospects: Dallas Star caused a shock when winning the Ballysax Stakes on his first start for Irish trainer Adrian Murray.
Interesting fact: On the day he was born his dad John rode a winner at Ascot.
Tom Marquand
Age: 26
Likely Derby mount: Sayedaty Sadaty
Derby rides: Four
Best finishing position: Second on Khalifa Sat (2020)
Derby prospects: Sayedaty Sadaty looks right up against it having failed to win either start in Listed races this season.
Interesting fact: Tom owes a lot to pony racing. Not only did it set him on the path to becoming a top jockey but it was where he met his wife, fellow rider Hollie Doyle.
