Racing Statistics
Derby Stakes Day (1 Jun, Saturday)
About the barriers
Derby Stakes (2019 to 2023)
| Barrier | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Strike Rate | First 3 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 20% | 47% |
| 6-10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 40% | 27% |
| 11-15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 40% | 27% |
| 16 or above | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% |
The last five winners of the Derby Stakes have emerged from barriers 10, 12, 1, 12 and 7 but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that being drawn in either barrier 1 or 2 is a disadvantage. Three placed horses were drawn in barriers 10, 11 and 14 while barriers 4, 5, and 6 have produced another four placed runners between them.
About the jockeys
Hot Jockey: William Buick
| Year | William Buick’s rides in the Derby Stakes | Finishing Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | MILITARY ORDER | 14 |
| 2022 | NATIONS PRIDE | 8 |
| 2021 | HURRICANE LANE | 3 |
| 2020 | AMHRAN NA BHFIANN | 3 |
| 2019 | - | - |
| 2018 | MASAR | 1 |
No one jockey has dominated the Derby Stakes in recent years with Ryan Moore, Richard Kingscote, Adam Kirby, Emmett McNamara and Seamie Heffernan each successful. Meanwhile, William Buick has finished third in both 2021 and 2020, alongside his victory aboard MASAR in 2018. Buick rides for Godolphin, whose leading Derby hope this year appears to be ANCIENT WISDOM, a G1 winner at Doncaster on his final start last season.
About the trainers
Hot Trainer: Aiden O’Brien
| Year | Aiden O’Brien’s runners in the Derby Stakes | Finishing Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | AUGUSTE RODIN ADELAIDE RIVER SAN ANTONIO |
1 8 11 |
| 2022 | CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD STONE AGE STAR OF INDIA |
5 6 13 |
| 2021 | BOLSHOI BALLET | 7 |
| 2020 | SERPENTINE AMHRAN NA BHFIANN MOGUL RUSSIAN EMPEROR VATICAN CITY MYTHICAL |
1 3 6 7 8 13 |
| 2019 | ANTHONY VAN DYCK JAPAN BROOME SIR DRAGONET CIRCUS MAXIMUS NORWAY SOVEREIGN |
1 3 4 5 6 8 10 |
Aidan O’Brien often runs several horses and his three winners in this period have all been ridden by different jockeys. As well as winning the race three times, O’Brien has also saddled two of the third-placed finishers. Leading contenders from Aidan O’Brien’s famous Ballydoyle stables in this year’s race include high-class juvenile CITY OF TROY. Charlie Appleby saddled the first and third in 2021 and Andrew Balding has twice been runner-up, in 2022 and 2020. The other trainer to have saddled a winner in this period is Sir Michael Stoute.
About the Favourites
Derby Stakes Favourites Performances (2019 to 2023)
| Year | Favourite in the Derby Stakes | Finishing Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ARREST | 10 |
| 2022 | DESERT CROWN | 1 |
| 2021 | BOLSHOI BALLET | 7 |
| 2020 | KAMEKO | 4 |
| 2019 | SIR DRAGONET | 5 |
Market leaders have often struggled in the Derby Stakes with only one favourite and one second favourite successful; both in the last two years. The other four market leaders have finished tenth, seventh, fourth and fifth and there have been some surprise outcomes with winners returned at long odds. Only one other second favourite has finished in the first three in a period where some big-priced runners have filled the places.
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