Last Updated on 04/05/2026 by Andy Clark
The Epsom Derby returns on Saturday 6th June 2026 with Aidan O’Brien chasing his fourth consecutive win in the world’s most famous Flat Classic.
Following Christmas Day’s emphatic Ballysax Stakes win on 12 April, the picture has shifted dramatically — Benvenuto Cellini now heads the market at 5/1, while Pierre Bonnard has drifted from 4/1 to 9/1 after his Leopardstown flop. Below: the latest odds across all major UK bookmakers, the Aidan O’Brien dominance story, recent winners and our take on where the value sits.
Epsom Derby 2026 Betting Odds — Latest Prices
| Horse | bet365 | William Hill | Betfred |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benvenuto Cellini | 5/1 | 6/1 | 6/1 |
| Pierre Bonnard | 9/1 | 6/1 | 6/1 |
| Hawk Mountain | 10/1 | 14/1 | 10/1 |
| Christmas Day | 8/1 | 14/1 | 12/1 |
| Montreal | 20/1 | 20/1 | 20/1 |
| Constitution River | 16/1 | 16/1 | 16/1 |
| Water To Wine | 20/1 | 20/1 | 16/1 |
| Morshdi | 25/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 |
| Maltese Cross | 16/1 | 25/1 | 20/1 |
| Saxon Street | 25/1 | 25/1 | 20/1 |
| Puerto Rico | 25/1 | 25/1 | 25/1 |
| Gstaad | 33/1 | 33/1 | 33/1 |
| Endorsement | 33/1 | 25/1 | 28/1 |
Odds correct as of 4 May 2026. Prices subject to change as the festival approaches.
The market has already produced two significant moves this spring. Benvenuto Cellini has been backed into 5/1 with bet365 — the shortest price across the major books — while Pierre Bonnard has drifted from a winter-long 4/1 favourite to a best-priced 9/1 following his Ballysax flop on 12 April.
The third major story is Christmas Day — yet another Aidan O’Brien horse, who shortened from 33/1 to 8/1 after winning that same Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown. Three of the top four in the betting come from the Ballydoyle yard.
Bet on the Epsom Derby at bet365 →
When is the 2026 Epsom Derby?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 6 June 2026 |
| Time | 3:30pm BST |
| Racecourse | Epsom Downs |
| Trip | 1 mile 4 furlongs |
| Prize money (winner) | £909,628.40 |
| TV coverage | ITV Racing & Racing TV |
The Derby is the centrepiece of the Epsom Derby Festival, a two-day meeting also featuring the Coronation Cup, the Oaks, and the Diomed Stakes. ITV Racing typically broadcasts five races live on Derby Day, including the Coronation Cup at 1:50pm and the Derby itself at 3:30pm.
Benvenuto Cellini — The New 2026 Derby Favourite
Aidan O’Brien’s Frankel colt Benvenuto Cellini has moved to the head of the Epsom Derby betting odds market — and remarkably, without yet running a 2026 trial.
The case for Benvenuto Cellini at 5/1 is built on his strong juvenile form last season. He won the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown in convincing style, demonstrating both the stamina pedigree and the late-race finishing kick that the Epsom test demands. His final start of 2025 came in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, where he finished a respectable third behind his stablemate Hawk Mountain.
The Frankel-Galileo bloodlines hint at a horse who’ll appreciate the step up to 1m4f as a three-year-old, and O’Brien’s pattern of bringing his Derby contenders to peak fitness without overworking them in trials means the lack of 2026 form figures isn’t necessarily a red flag.
For the recent record on the front-running approach to Epsom — see Lambourn’s 2025 Derby win, where Aidan O’Brien’s pace-setter saw out the trip impressively. Benvenuto Cellini is built differently, with more emphasis on a finishing burst, but the Ballydoyle blueprint is clear.
Pierre Bonnard — From 4/1 Favourite to 9/1 Outsider
The most dramatic price move of the spring belongs to Pierre Bonnard, who has drifted from 4/1 ante-post favourite all winter to a best-priced 9/1 in early May.
The Camelot colt won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in November 2025, marking him out as a leading Derby fancy on pedigree (Camelot was a 2012 Derby winner himself) and on form. Bookmakers had him at the head of the market throughout the winter as the obvious choice for the Aidan O’Brien-trained challenge.
Then came the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on 12 April. Pierre Bonnard’s reappearance was disappointing, finishing well beaten by stablemate Christmas Day. The market reacted immediately — Pierre Bonnard’s price was pushed out from 4/1 to 9/1 within 24 hours, and he hasn’t recovered ground since.
The case for Pierre Bonnard at the new price: O’Brien’s two-year-old Group 1 winners often need their seasonal reappearance to come to hand, and the Camelot bloodlines genuinely should suit the Epsom test. At 9/1 across the major books rather than the original 4/1, he could be value if you believe he’ll bounce back.
The case against: it’s hard to ignore a Group 1 winner being beaten convincingly on his return. Either he’s not the horse he was, or he was over-rated in the winter market — either way, 9/1 isn’t necessarily a bargain.
Christmas Day — The Ballysax Winner Now 8/1
The Ballysax winner Christmas Day has been the spring’s other major story. Going into Leopardstown at 33/1 in the Derby market, Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt produced an emphatic performance to win the Ballysax Stakes — and the market reacted accordingly.
Christmas Day’s Derby price has shortened from 33/1 to 8/1 in the space of three weeks. The pattern is familiar — Ballysax winners often go on to play significant roles in the Epsom Derby itself. Both High Chaparral (2002) and Camelot (2012), eventual Derby winners, took the same Leopardstown trial route.
At 8/1 with bet365, Christmas Day represents a horse with strong recent form, a proven O’Brien stable in elite winter condition, and the trial form that ante-post Derby markets traditionally reward.
Aidan O’Brien at the Derby — Eleven Wins and Counting
No trainer has dominated the Epsom Derby like Aidan O’Brien. The Ballydoyle handler has won the race ELEVEN times since 2001, and crucially has won all three of the most recent renewals.
Aidan O’Brien’s Epsom Derby Winners
| Year | Horse | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Galileo | 11/4 |
| 2002 | High Chaparral | 7/2 |
| 2012 | Camelot | 5/2 fav |
| 2013 | Ruler of the World | 7/1 |
| 2014 | Australia | 11/8 fav |
| 2017 | Wings of Eagles | 40/1 |
| 2019 | Anthony Van Dyck | 13/2 |
| 2020 | Serpentine | 25/1 |
| 2023 | Auguste Rodin | 9/2 |
| 2024 | City of Troy | 3/1 fav |
| 2025 | Lambourn | 13/2 |
A 2026 win would make it four in a row for O’Brien — a feat unprecedented in the Derby’s modern era. The Ballydoyle yard’s depth in this year’s edition (potentially Benvenuto Cellini, Hawk Mountain, Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard all running) suggests they’ll have the firepower to extend the streak.
For punters, the question isn’t really whether O’Brien wins the Derby — it’s which of his contenders to back. The 2025 winner Lambourn, was 13/2 on the day, the 2024 winner, City of Troy, was 3/1 favourite, and the 2023 winner, Auguste Rodin, was 9/2. The recent O’Brien Derby winners have generally come from the front of the market rather than the longshots.
Recent Epsom Derby Winners — Last 10 Years
| Year | Winner | SP | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Lambourn | 13/2 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2024 | City of Troy | 3/1 fav | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2023 | Auguste Rodin | 9/2 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2022 | Desert Crown | 5/2 fav | Sir Michael Stoute |
| 2021 | Adayar | 16/1 | Charlie Appleby |
| 2020 | Serpentine | 25/1 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2019 | Anthony Van Dyck | 13/2 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2018 | Masar | 16/1 | Charlie Appleby |
| 2017 | Wings of Eagles | 40/1 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2016 | Harzand | 13/2 | Dermot Weld |
The pattern over the last decade: 6 of 10 winners have come from Aidan O’Brien’s yard, with Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin operation taking 2 of the remaining 4. Backing outside the top two stables has been a costly approach for Derby punters — only Sir Michael Stoute (Desert Crown 2022) and Dermot Weld (Harzand 2016) have broken the duopoly in the last 10 runnings.
Where Does the Value Lie in the 2026 Derby?
Three potential angles for ante-post backers:
1. Benvenuto Cellini at 6/1 (William Hill, Betfred) — the case for the new favourite is straightforward. Strong juvenile form, the right pedigree for the Epsom test, and the Aidan O’Brien yard at peak winter condition. The 6/1 with William Hill or Betfred is a full point bigger than bet365’s 5/1 — that’s a meaningful price difference for a horse who could shorten further as the festival approaches.
2. Christmas Day at 8/1 (bet365) — the Ballysax winner has the live form figure that the rest of the market is missing. Eight of the last 11 Derby winners came from O’Brien’s yard, and Ballysax winners specifically have a strong trial-to-Derby record.
3. Hawk Mountain at 14/1 (William Hill) — the often-forgotten member of the O’Brien quartet, Hawk Mountain beat Benvenuto Cellini in last year’s Futurity Trophy. The 14/1 with William Hill is genuinely big given that Group 1-winning juvenile form line.
The horse to oppose: Pierre Bonnard at 6/1. The Ballysax flop was emphatic, and a horse with one ordinary reappearance run who’s still trading at 6/1 looks short of value. If O’Brien decides to keep him in the Derby line-up at all, the price probably drifts further before 6 June.
Best Bookmakers for Epsom Derby Betting
| Bookmaker | Welcome Offer | Each-Way Terms | Sign-up Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | 3 places, 1/5 odds | £30 |
| Betfred | Bet £10 Get £50 | 3 places, 1/5 odds | £50 |
| William Hill | Bet £10 Get £40 | 3 places, 1/5 odds | £40 |
| Coral | Bet £5 Get £30 | 3 places, 1/5 odds | £30 |
| BoyleSports | Bet £10 Get £40 | 3 places, 1/5 odds | £40 |
Each-way terms across the market are 1/5 of the win odds for the first three home — standard for a Group 1 Classic of this magnitude.
For ante-post Derby betting, Best Odds Guaranteed is your protection — if you take a price now and your selection drifts, you’re paid out at the bigger SP. Non-Runner No Bet terms are also worth checking — most major bookmakers offer NRNB on the Derby from late April onwards, meaning your stake is returned if your horse doesn’t run.
Epsom Derby 2026 FAQs
When is the Epsom Derby 2026?
Saturday 6 June 2026. The race goes off at 3:30pm BST at Epsom Downs.
Who is the favourite for the 2026 Epsom Derby?
Benvenuto Cellini, trained by Aidan O’Brien, currently heads the market at 5/1 with bet365 (and 6/1 with William Hill and Betfred). Christmas Day, also from the O’Brien yard, is second favourite at around 8/1.
Has Aidan O’Brien won the Epsom Derby?
Yes — Aidan O’Brien has won the Epsom Derby 11 times, more than any trainer in history. His most recent winner was Lambourn in 2025, and he has won each of the last four runnings of the race.
How much does the Epsom Derby winner get?
The 2026 Derby winner takes home £909,628.40 from a total prize pool spread across the first 12 finishers. The Derby is the richest single race on the British Flat racing calendar.
Do bookmakers offer Non-Runner No Bet on the Epsom Derby?
Yes — most major UK bookmakers including bet365, Betfred, William Hill and Coral offer Non-Runner No Bet on the Epsom Derby in the weeks immediately before the race. NRNB means your stake is returned if your horse doesn’t run. See our Non-Runner No Bet guide for full details.
What does Best Odds Guaranteed mean for ante-post Derby betting?
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) protects your ante-post bet if your horse drifts in price. If you take 8/1 today and your horse goes off at 12/1 on Derby day, BOG ensures you’re paid out at the larger price. See our full Best Odds Guaranteed guide to find out which bookmakers offer BOG on the Derby.
Can I bet on the Epsom Derby with free bets?
Yes — most major UK bookmakers’ welcome offers (bet365 £30, Betfred £50, William Hill £40, BoyleSports £40, Coral £30) can be used on Epsom Derby markets. See our Horse Racing Free Bets and Offers hub for full details.
How long is the Epsom Derby?
1 mile 4 furlongs (12 furlongs), or approximately 2,400 metres. The Derby is one of the longer Group 1 races for three-year-old colts on the Flat calendar — stamina matters as much as speed at Epsom.
What’s the longest-priced Epsom Derby winner in recent years?
Wings of Eagles, trained by Aidan O’Brien, won the 2017 Epsom Derby at SP 40/1. Serpentine (also Aidan O’Brien) won at 25/1 in 2020. Both wins prove that Derby longshots can come good — particularly when they come from the right stable.
What time does the 2026 Epsom Derby start?
3:30pm BST on Saturday 6 June 2026. The race is the centrepiece of Derby Day at Epsom, with ITV Racing covering the full afternoon’s action.
More Epsom Derby and Major Festival Coverage
- Horse Racing Tips — daily NAP, Lucky 15 and racing offers
- ITV Racing Tips — every televised meeting covered
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide
- Non-Runner No Bet Explained
- Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Horse Racing Free Bets and Offers
Bet on the 2026 Epsom Derby at bet365 →
Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.