Derby Day Drama: O'Brien Drops a Horse and I'm Already Stressed About the Draw

By Lewis Barnett 4 June, 2025 5 mins read 53 Views

Well, that's it then. The declarations are in for this year's Derby and honestly? My heart's already racing.

For the first time ever, they're making trainers declare 72 hours early instead of the usual last-minute chaos. Smart move, actually - gives us punters more time to overthink everything and lose our minds before we even see the draw. Thanks for that, racing gods.

Aidan O'Brien's thrown three horses at the £1.5million prize pot, which is classic O'Brien really. The man treats the Derby like he's ordering from a Chinese takeaway - might as well have options, right? But here's where it gets interesting (and slightly maddening): Ryan Moore still hasn't picked his ride. Can you imagine having that choice? I stress about picking what socks to wear.

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The Puppet Master Mystery

Plot twist nobody saw coming - O'Brien pulled Puppet Master at the final hurdle. Just... gone. Poof. My mate Dave had already started building his entire accumulator around that horse. His reaction when I texted him? "Already updating my betting slip. Again."

Poor Dave. This is why I stick to single bets these days.

Who's Actually Running (And Who's Riding What)

Right, let's get into the meat of it. Nineteen runners confirmed, which means we're in for proper Derby chaos come race day. Here's your complete lineup, fresh from this morning's declarations:

AL WASL STORM
Jockey: David Probert
Trainer: Owen Burrows
Owner: Green Team Racing

DAMYSUS
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Owner: Wathnan Racing

DELACROIX
Jockey: TBD (Ryan Moore maybe?)
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor

GREEN STORM
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Owner: Ahmad Al Shaikh

LAMBOURN
Jockey: TBD (Another Moore option?)
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith

LAZY GRIFF
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Owner: Middleham Park Racing & Mr G Griffiths

MIDAK
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Owner: Aga Khan Studs

NEW GROUND
Jockey: Alexis Pouchin
Trainer: Henri Francois Devin
Owner: Juddmonte

NIGHTIME DANCER
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Owner: Stall Perlen Ab

NIGHTWALKER
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Owner: Juddmonte

PRIDE OF ARRAS
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Owner: Mrs David Aykroyd

ROGUE IMPACT
Jockey: Luke Morris
Trainer: James Owen
Owner: The Rogues Gallery

RULING COURT
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Owner: Godolphin

SEA SCOUT
Jockey: Harry Davies
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford
Owner: Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori

STANHOPE GARDENS
Jockey: Hector Crouch
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Owner: Marcstown Ltd and New Chelsea

TENNESSEE STUD
Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Owner: Westerberg, Tabor, Magnier, Smith

THE LION IN WINTER
Jockey: TBD (Third Moore option - decisions, decisions)
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Owner: Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier

TORNADO ALERT
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin

TUSCAN HILLS
Jockey: David Egan
Trainer: Raphael Freire
Owner: Amo Racing

The Draw That'll Make or Break Dreams

Now comes the bit that makes grown men weep into their Racing Posts. The draw's happening this morning and honestly, it's like watching someone shuffle the deck before a high-stakes poker game. Get stall 1 and you're basically starting the race from behind a brick wall. Draw wide and you're traveling further than some people's daily commute.

I've seen Derby dreams die faster than my phone battery on a Saturday at the races, all because of one little numbered ball.

What Happens Next?

Moore's got until tomorrow to make his choice between those three O'Brien runners. Smart money says he'll go with form, but you never know with these top jockeys - sometimes they just get a feeling about a horse. Like when your nan picks winners based on the horse's name reminding her of her neighbor's cat.

The Godolphin team looks strong with both Ruling Court and Tornado Alert in the mix. William Buick on Ruling Court could be the combination to watch, especially if they get a decent draw.

Listen, predicting the Derby is like trying to forecast British weather in April - you think you know what's coming, then everything changes and you end up soaked. But that's exactly why we love it, isn't it?

Roll on Saturday. My liver's already preparing for the stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What factors influence the outcome of a horse race?

Horse race results are affected by a number of factors, including the horse’s breeding, training, and physical condition. Additionally, jockey experience and skills, track conditions, weight, and distance are all important factors. Weather also plays a role in horse performance, with some horses performing better than others on certain surfaces.

How does a horse’s fitness level before a racing event get determined?

Fitness of a racing horse is assessed by a combination veterinarian checks, trainers observations, and the performance in workouts. Vets examine horses for any signs of injury or ill health, while trainers monitor their responses during training sessions. The horse's behavior before the race also provides insight into how ready it is to compete.

What surfaces are race tracks run on?

Horse races are run on various surfaces, including dirt, turf (grass), and synthetic tracks. Horses can perform differently on different surfaces. Some horses will show preference for a certain surface or have superior abilities. Condition changes, like a wet track due to rain, can also dramatically affect the outcome of a race.

How do betting odds work in horse racing?

In horse racing, betting odds reflect the likelihood of a certain outcome. They are typically presented in the format of fractions or decimals and can indicate how much profit a bettor might gain on a winning bet. Odds may fluctuate according to how much is bet on each horse. They can also change before the race starts. These changes will be monitored by a seasoned gambler to make informed decisions.

What are major horse races?

Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is a series of three prestigious horse races in the United States: the Kentucky Derby Stakes and the Preakness Stakes. Dubai World Cup and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe are among the most prestigious races in the world. Royal Ascot is held in the United Kingdom. These prestigious events bring together the finest jockeys, trainers, and horses from all over the world.

Statistics

The Kentucky Derby, one of the most watched horse racing events, has attracted over 150,000 spectators in a single event.
The record for the highest horse race betting turnover in a year is held by Japan, surpassing $22 billion.
Horse racing events in the United Kingdom draw in a yearly attendance of over 6 million people.
Horse racing is known to support roughly 1.4 million full-time jobs in the United States alone.
As of the latest reports, the horse racing industry contributes approximately $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

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How To

How To Bet At A Horse Racing Track

Before you place a wager on a racing track, determine how much money you want to risk. Decide what type of bet you want to make - a simple win or place bet, a show bet, or an exotic exotic bet such as trifecta or exacta. As you approach the betting window, clearly state your race number, your horse number, and what type of wager you are placing. Double-check your ticket before leaving. You can also hand over the money and take it to the window. If you win, keep your ticket in order to collect your winnings. There are also automated betting machines that offer more privacy and shorter lines.