The Epsom Derby is the UK’s main horse racing classic event, a Group 1 race first contested in 1780, and is sometimes even referred to as “the Blue Riband of the Turf”. It takes place on the first Saturday in June over one mile, four furlongs, and 10 yards at Epsom Downs and is restricted to three-year-old colts and fillies.
With a £1.5 million prize and worldwide coverage through streaming and television, the Derby is the most lucrative of the five British Classics and one of the Triple Crown events of flat racing. The race was this year’s 246th running, with 19 declared runners, the largest since 2003. Epsom experienced some rain but fans braved the showers to see the race run.
In the build-up to the race, Stake, one of the top crypto sportsbooks, got the chance to speak with champion jockey Frankie Dettori exclusively before the event. Stake’s Global Racing Ambassador Frankie Dettori gave his opinion on the horses, trainers and wagers as Derby enthusiasts got set to cast their bets. In this article, we recap the outcome and highlight of the race and examine the history of the race, the betting patterns, and the future of the Derby.
2025 Derby Highlights
There was a dramatic and surprise win in the 2025 Epsom Derby, as Aidan O’Brien-trained chestnut colt Lambourn took the victory in commanding front-running style. Lambourn was in front from the time the gates opened and never looked back, moving on the ground with authority and confidence.
Although he was not the market favourite for the race, Lambourn was well supported in the betting market and did not disappoint his backers. He established a good early pace and for each furlong he extended his lead and ultimately crossed the line almost four lengths in front of the rest of the field. The win was a record 11th Derby victory for O’Brien which also cemented his place as one of the top trainers in flat racing history.
Although Lambourn’s victory was dominant, the placing behind him contributed to the uncertainty of the Derby. Second was the massive 50-1 outsider Lazy Griff, trained by Charlie Johnston and ridden by Christophe Soumillon. Already having thrilled with a win in the Chester Vase, Lazy Griff once again surprised everybody by out-speeding many more fancied rivals. Third was Tennessee Stud, another impressive competitor trained by Joseph O’Brien, proving that this year’s Derby was all about the underdogs.
Lambourn Steals the Show
On the other hand, the well-hyped runners made a minimal impression. The favourite Delacroix, ridden by Ryan Moore, started slowing down in the most important moments and came only ninth.
The other big favorite, Pride Of Arras, was unable to take the pace and came a disappointing 17th. The outcome helped to add to the Derby’s reputation for drama and unpredictability, with even the most favored horses cracking under pressure.
After the race, Wayne Lordan praised the calmness and stamina of Lambourn and stated that the horse had plenty of energy left even at the lively gallop. He said the Derby is one of the best races a jockey can win and that he felt proud to ride for O’Brien’s Ballydoyle team and the well-known Coolmore owners. Aidan O’Brien returned the compliment, praising Lordan for choosing to proceed early and believing in Lambourn’s endurance.
Exclusive Interview with Frankie Dettori
Racing supporters were treated to more insight in the build-up to the Derby thanks to Stake. The sportsbook published an exclusive interview with Frankie Dettori that included the Italian jockey’s reflections before the race. Dettori, Stake’s racing ambassador himself, said that the 2025 Derby field seemed unusually open. He explained that while the race seems clear after it’s over, it’s always hard to predict beforehand, since many horses could make a strong case to be in the Derby. This was clear as Dettori went through the list of contenders.
Called upon to give his view of the Aidan O’Brien runners, Dettori preferred Delacroix as a top selection. He said that if he were Ryan Moore, he would choose that horse because he’s more reliable, sure to last the distance, and easy to manage.
In a nutshell, Dettori viewed Delacroix’s stamina and temperament as major positives. He contrasted this with stablemate The Lion In Winter, who’d been somewhat immature and came into the Derby off the back of a poorer prep (a sixth in the Dante Stakes). Noting O’Brien’s ability to quickly bring horses back after poor performances, as he did with last year’s winner City of Troy, Dettori still believed Delacroix seemed more straightforward and likely to stay the distance.
Stake’s Racing Ambassador: Frankie Dettori
Stake’s partnership with Frankie Dettori is leading the way for the platform’s global horse racing strategy. Dettori, their first Global Racing Ambassador, brings with him his deep experience and authoritative voice to the sport. Stake’s official sponsorship page highlights his reputation in racing, citing his long and successful career that includes victories in signature events such as the Epsom Derby, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Breeders’ Cup Turf.
His legendary “Magnificent Seven”, a sweep of all seven races at Ascot remains one of the most enduring feats of racing history and even earned him an honorific statue at the racecourse. Through this collaboration, Stake acquires not only an established figurehead but also an expert voice with global recognition. Dettori is tasked with providing racing tips, presenting news, and creating promotional material for the purpose of engaging Stake’s global multicultural fan base in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
For fans of racing and betting, Stake’s emphasis on horse racing is a no-brainer. Stake’s site features a dedicated racing page wherein live markets and odds are updated. Bettors can track horse racing odds and bet on racing events such as the Derby and wager live.
Horse Racing Odds
Betting on the Derby is as much a part of the spectacle as the race itself. Indeed, statistics confirm that the Derby is more often than not unpredictable. A recent study discovered that in the last ten runnings, the market leader was successful only 30% of the time. That is, seven out of ten Derby winners were initially non favorites.
The past decade has had two actual shocking winners in racing events: Serpentine (2020, 25/1) and Wings Of Eagles (2017, 40/1) stunned the entire horseracing world by winning their tournaments. This indicates that even experienced bettors cannot take for granted that the favorite will win all the time.
In the 2025 race, favorite Delacroix finished out of the frame, while Lambourn delivered a respectable return and won the event. Second-placer Lazy Griff returned about 50-1, a payoff that indicates long shots can reap dividends for courageous bettors at the Derby.
Betting Trends
Dettori’s open-field analysis was consistent with these trends of underdogs performing well and often winning. He stressed in the interview that so many horses appear as possible winners, and that value bets are likely to be found off the beaten track.
Professionals recommend looking at recent form, pedigree and running style instead of following blindly the bookies. For example, one expert joked that O’Brien’s horses do so well at Epsom that even a “third-choice” runner like Lambourn from Ballydoyle can pull off a surprise if trained right.
Derby betting markets often list dozens of possible runners weeks in advance. On race day, the list is narrowed down, and the final starting odds are set. Bettors can now track such odds fluctuations in real-time via online casinos and sportsbooks such as Stake. Their website, for example, features a horse race betting page with live information on horses and odds (accessible via the dedicated horse racing page). This season’s Derby odds fluctuated as track conditions altered; by post time, Lambourn was among the more favored horses in the betting pool, reflecting insider confidence.
It’s interesting that changes in odds are influenced more and more by the history of underdog wins and the conditions of the race. The 2025 Derby took place on tough ground because a dry spring made the surface less optimal for racing than usual. Some favored horses even got totally discouraged; one Ballydoyle runner, Puppet Master, was even withdrawn because of concerns about the ground.
Lambourn, however, coped with the ground. Shrewd bettors often focus on criteria like recent trials and successes: indeed, eight of the last ten Derby winners had competed in a leading trial or Classic a few weeks before the race.
In 2025, both Delacroix and Ruling Court had won their trial races, while Pride Of Arras, who won the York Dante, came into the Derby after an unusual preparation in the Dante race. Dettori’s concentration on such horses shows how professionals balance previous races, yet the outcome demonstrated that every rule can be broken and results are indeed totally unpredictable.
Horse Racing’s Future
The 2025 Derby broke records in several ways, but behind the day’s results lies a bigger story about the future of horse racing. The sport’s interest is evolving: some races face struggles with attendance, as Epsom officials recorded lower crowds compared to past decades. At the same time, new media and sponsorship models are expanding horse racing’s reach.
Dettori himself is a symbol of such change. As a four-decade veteran of racing, he bridges old and new generations. His past triumphs are memorialized in a statue of him at Ascot, but he now reaches fans via interviews, social media and commentary. Dettori’s profile on a horse racing documentary (“Race for the Crown”) and his appeal to sports stars (he claimed to have had interactions from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal’s management team) suggest the sport of horse racing is gaining increased interest.
What to Expect from Upcoming Events
Going forward, horse racing will likely continue to mix tradition and modernity. Betting tech, global streaming (Stake and others broadcast races online), and international connections are totally changing how fans consume events. Amidst this change, Dettori’s role as Stake’s Global Ambassador offers an assurance that the voice of experience will continue to be heard loud and clear.
Overall, the 2025 Epsom Derby provided drama on the track and a lot of insight off it. Lambourn’s lead-from-the-front victory will be remembered as yet another Ballydoyle success story, and Stake’s interview with Frankie Dettori provided the fans with an inside look at what happens behind the scenes before, during, and after of Derby week.
For the casual fan and the serious bettor alike, an understanding of the history of the race, the riders’ psyches, and the shifting odds makes the experience more enjoyable. With legends such as Dettori still riding and websites like Stake bringing the sport to the world, the past and future of horse racing are certainly in good hands.
- Lucy Bennion
