Epsom Derby Odds Shaken Up As The Lion In Winter Flops In York Dante Stakes

All eyes were on The Lion In Winter ahead of the Dante Stakes – the biggest domestic Derby Trial – however, the Aidan O’Brien-trained 3 year-old could only manage sixth and his participation at Epsom is now very much in doubt – with the Ralph Beckett runner Pride Of Arras taking the big York Thursday race and now around 5/1 for the Derby on June 7th.

Delacroix The New Derby Favourite As The Lion In Winter Flops In Dante

Despite The Lion In Winter flopping in the Dante, the good news for top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is that the Ballydoyle maestro still has a stack of other big Derby names to fall back on.

Most notably DELACROIX, who the best horse racing betting sites have catapulted to the top of the Derby market – without running a race on the day.

Delacroix, was the general second favourite in the Derby betting odds market at 5/1, but is now as short as 5/2 with most betting firms. He’ll be looking to give O’Brien a record-extending eleventh Derby success.

The well-bred son of Dubawi was last seen winning the Cashel Palace Hotel Trial Stakes at Leopardstown on 11th May – and it’s now all systems go towards Epsom on Saturday 7th June.

With The Lion In Winter now out from 11/4 in the Derby betting odds market to around 6/1 – but it’s still unclear if last year’s Acomb Stakes winner will even head to Epsom.

O’Brien also has many other Derby options like recent Chester winners Lambourn and Mount Kilimanjaro – not to mention Twain, who was a big fancy for the 2000 Guineas before being pulled out.

The writing was on the wall from the gates with The Lion In Winter – with the horse ‘over-racing’ and running very keen.

Despite Ryan Moore getting the horse settled, using that energy up early on wasn’t ideal and after the race trainer Aidan O’Brien said that his Dante flop may be dropped in trip in the future.

Full Dante Stakes Result 2025

Dante Winner Prince Of Arras Now 6/1 For The Derby

Trainer Ralph Beckett has never had a Derby winner – but he came close in 2022 when Westover was third.

However, he looks to have a good chance of putting that right in 2025 with Prince Of Arras – who has only had two career runs and now won them both.

The Dante has been a good trial too – with Desert Crown in 2022 the last horse to win both – and there’s been eleven horses do the double in total.

After the race, the Epsom Derby betting odds on Prince Of Arras were slashed from 50/1 to 5/1.

While Beckett also went on record as saying Prince Of Arras is “a good work horse, but has more speed than Westover”

Pride Of Arras shows a superb turn of foot in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes! 😲

It would seem Ralph Beckett has another superstar in his string! @Rossaryan15 | @RalphBeckett pic.twitter.com/UzNVlHGwVN

— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) May 15, 2025

Epsom Derby Betting Odds 2025

Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request

Trainer Aidan O’Brien Has Won The Derby 10 Times

 

Aidan O’Brien Epsom Derby Wins

How Many Dante Winners Have Won The Epsom Derby?

In total there have been eleven Dante Stakes winners that have gone onto win the Epsom Derby – can Prince Of Arras be the next?

Dante/Derby Winners Over The Years

When Is The Epsom Derby 2025?

📅Date: Saturday 7th June 2025
⌚Time: 4:30pm
🏇Racecourse: Epsom
🔄Trip: 1m 4f
💷Winner: £882,407.60
📺 TV: ITV/RTV (see the full ITV Racing coverage this week)