Races

Last 10: Winners of the Epsom Derby

The decade of Derby winners between 2011 and 2020 ahead of this year’s renewal

Published

1 year ago

March 30, 2021

Dominic Chapman

Frankie Dettori celebrates his victory on Golden Horn in the Investec Derby on Derby Day of the 2015 Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse, Epsom.

The Group 1 Epsom Derby is the fourth Classic on the flat for three-year-old colts, held at Epsom Downs on usually the first Saturday in June.

It is ran over a trip of one-and-a-half miles, four furlongs longer than the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and just under four furlongs shorter than the St Leger held at Doncaster later in the campaign.

Although rescheduled, the 2020 renewal did take place, albeit a month later than usual due to the covid-19 pandemic, and was won by Serpentine for Aidan O’Brien.

*Aidan O’Brien has trained six of the last ten winners of the Derby*

But how many of the other nine victors of the famous contest can you remember?

We take a look back.

Pour Moi | 2011

Trained by Andre Fabre in France but owned by the recognisable Smith, Magnier and Tabor, Pour Moi only raced five times in his career – the Derby being his final appearance.

watch: mickael barzalona celebrates cheekily as pour moi nabs a late derby win in 2011 [credit: racing tv]

Despite being beaten on his penultimate start at Longchamp, he took the extra two furlongs in his stride and got up late on the line to deny Aidan O’Brien’s Treasure Beach, rewarding punters at odds of 4/1 under Mickael Barzalona.

Camelot | 2012

Under the now Group 1 trainer Joseph O’Brien riding for his father Aidan, Camelot completed the Guineas and Derby double, emulating the great Sea The Stars from three years before.

*Camelot strolls home at Epsom to complete the Guineas and Derby double*

He would ease to victory in the Irish equivalent next time out, before being beaten in the St Leger when bidding to become the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to complete the Triple Crown.

Ruler Of The World | 2013

Another year, another O’Brien success.

watch: ruler of the world takes the derby under ryan moore [credit: racing tv]

This time ridden by the classy Ryan Moore, he was one of the lesser fancied types to win the contest for Ballydoyle at 7-1 and would record only one victory from his following eight starts.

Australia | 2014

Finding only Night Of Thunder and Kingman too good in Suffolk, Australia proved it to be a very strong edition of the 2,000 Guineas by breezing home in the Derby a month later.

*A familiar site as the silks of Magnier, Tabor and Smith are carried to victory under Joseph O’Brien at Epsom*

He won the Irish Derby and Juddmonte International before being retired as a three-year-old when being turned over as a 3/10 favourite in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Golden Horn | 2015

Step forward Messrs Gosden and Detorri.

Golden Horn proved to be one of the easiest winners of the Derby in recent years, beating stable-mate Jack Hobbs smoothly as Aidan O’Brien surprisingly failed to have a runner inside the top three.

watch: john gosden completes a 1-2 in the 2015 derby as golden horn beats stable-mate jack hobbs [credit: racing tv]

Despite short-priced defeats in the Breeders’ Cup and Juddmonte, he still added a Coral-Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe to his astonishing cabinet.

Harzand | 2016

Under the late Pat Smullen, Harzand was a popular winner for Dermot Weld five years ago and he would be another who enjoyed similar success in the Irish version later that month.

By former Derby winner Sea The Stars, he wouldn’t win again after victory at the Curragh in two outings at Leopardstown and Chantilly, respectively.

Wings Of Eagles | 2017

In a stellar year, Wings Of Eagles flew from the Gods to pick off Cliffs Of Moher and Cracksman late on under Patrick Beggy at 40-1.

Only his second, and final, victory from seven outings, he retired after defeat at the Curragh next time.

Masar | 2018

The first win for Godolphin came as another big priced winner caused a turn up.

watch: masar wins the 2018 derby under william buick for charlie appleby [credit: racing tv]

Masar was sent off favourite for the Guineas but drifted to a big price at Epsom. However, the extra distance worked the oracle and he beat astute stayer De Ex Bee and the game, late Roaring Lion comfortably.

Anthony Van Dyck | 2019

The Lingfield Trial winner was a strong galloper so looked tailor made for this race, and that proved the case.

Horse Racing - Derby Festival - Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Britain - June 1, 2019 Seamie Heffernan celebrates after winning the 4.30 Investec Derby Stakes on Anthony Van Dyck Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs — *Anthony Van Dyck stayed on stoutly to land the renewal of the Classic two years ago*

O’Brien trained five of the first six home, but the Ballydoyle flag was carried by the Galileo colt under Seamie Heffernan, who put in a lung-busting late rally to pass the post first.

Serpentine | 2020

In a different Derby than had probably ever been experienced, held completely behind-closed-doors, Serpentine’s win probably summed up the general feeling of last year.

Horse Racing - Derby Festival - Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Britain - July 4, 2020 Serpentine ridden by Emmet McNamara wins the Investec Derby, as racing resumed behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Bill Selwy — Serpentine ridden by Emmet McNamara wins the Investec Derby, as racing resumed behind closed doors after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease

Making all from the front, his rivals toiled a long way out without really even knowing it and O’Brien’s charge, who had only won a maiden six days earlier, was not for catching up top.