Betfred Derby Preview: Who wins the Derby; Oaks; Coronation Cup?

Brains-trust time. Racing TV's Tom Stanley hosts an in-depth discussion concerning the upcoming Betfred Derby Festival, and the three major standout Group 1 races - the Derby, Oaks, and Coronation Cup. Our very own Betfred TV stalwarts Matt Hulmes and Frankie Foster join Tom; but we've also an extra ace to play. Someone who knows what it's like to win the prizes sought after by every flat-race jockey on the planet; from daydreaming in short pants to realising those dreams in pristine, sponsored breeches.

Martin Dwyer has taken every single one of the three majors listed above - Derby success with Sir Percy in 2006; an Epsom Oaks aboard Casual Look in 2003; and a Coronation Cup victory courtesy of Pyledriver, as recently as 2021. Tune in, please - it's a real eye-opener.

Betfred Derby Odds

Big races come with massive expectations. For some, a select few, glory. For the majority, whether missing out by a nose or a furlong, a case of what might have been. Fair to say I think that among our panel there's a consensus that this year's Betfred Derby and Betfred Oaks are absolutely wide-open.

For the Derby, it's not even cast in stone who's likely to be at the head of the market. The Betfred 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court? The likely choice of Ryan Moore, Delacroix? How about The Lion In Winter, so long thought Aidan's ace in the pack but relatively easy to back in more recent days?

All such scenarios are discussed. Reckon all the principals are going to get the mile-and-a-half trip? There's some disagreement on that score - and what about the Dante winner Pride Of Arras? One of our pundits is very sweet on the son of French Derby winner New Bay's chances, even though he's exceptionally inexperienced, only lining up for racecourse start number three.

We hear from the great Aidan O'Brien himself during the feature, looking for Derby winner number 11. What a record. What a trainer.

The Oaks takes place on Friday (16:00), and again features a Guineas winner (Betfred 1000) trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Will Buick - Desert Flower. Lots of chat about Ryan Moore's options - Lingfield Oaks trial winner Giselle, Chester's Oaks scorer Minnie Hauk, or York's impressive Musidora heroine Whirl?

I'm going to leave it there - it's a great listen and the guys forensically assess so many angles and aspects of these two timeless Classics. For good measure they give just as much thought to the Coronation Cup, a race over the same historic trip and terrain, and won down the years by horses like Cracksman, Yeats, In The Groove, Triptych and Rainbow Quest; to name but a few.

Enjoy - and I'd like to add a little snippet for you of When Fred met Aidan. The mutual respect is heart-warming, and genuine. Enjoy!

🗣️ | "There's probably 25 years of tinkering and improving and it's just an exceptional place."

The boss was in awe of what Aidan O'Brien has done in Ballydoyle when he went to visit the veteran trainer's homebase earlier this month ahead of the Betfred Derby Festival... pic.twitter.com/WLSfdMrhHN

— Betfred (@Betfred) June 2, 2025

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.