Why Frankie's Derby Pick Just Made Me Rethink Everything

By Lewis Barnett 4 June, 2025 5 mins read 60 Views

Look, I've been following racing for fifteen years, and when Frankie Dettori speaks about the Derby, you listen.

The man's won it twice – first with Authorized in 2007 after what felt like an eternity of near-misses, then again in 2015 with Golden Horn. That second win? Pure poetry in motion. I was there, lost my voice screaming, and my mate Dave still owes me fifty quid from that bet.

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The Horse That's Got Everyone Talking (Including Me)

Here's the thing that caught my attention: Frankie's completely ignoring his old connections. No love for Godolphin, nothing for John Gosden. Instead, he's backing Ralph Beckett's Pride Of Arras, and honestly? After watching that Dante Stakes performance, I get it.

"Pride Of Arras won in the style of a Derby winner in the Dante," Frankie told Stake recently. The way he said it – there was this certainty in his voice that you don't hear often.

But then he drops the reality check: "The only thing that might muddle him is the size of the field. It is close to a maximum field and he's only run twice, so it won't be easy."

Experience vs. Talent: The Eternal Derby Dilemma

This is where it gets interesting. Pride Of Arras has only had two starts. Two! Winning the Derby on your third career run is like... well, it's like expecting a teenager to ace their driving test after two lessons. Possible? Sure. Likely? That's another story entirely.

Frankie knows this better than anyone: "It's very hard to win this race on only your third start, so that's the one thing which puts me off a bit."

Yet he's still backing the horse. That tells you something.

What About the Guineas Hero?

Ruling Court dominated at Newmarket – and I mean dominated. But Frankie's got doubts about the trip, and frankly, so do I after watching him in person.

"We know that a mile and quarter is within his reach because he hit the line very strongly at Newmarket, but this is another two furlongs. He's got a massive question mark to me."

Two furlongs might as well be two miles when you're talking about a horse whose stamina is unproven. I've seen too many brilliant milers fall apart in the Derby's final furlong.

The Draw Drama Nobody Saw Coming

Ryan Moore's on Delacroix, which should be huge news. Except the horse drew stall 14, and suddenly everyone's having second thoughts. The money's flowing away from him like water through a sieve.

Betfred's got Ruling Court and Delacroix as joint-favorites, but Ladbrokes keeps cutting Charlie Appleby's Godolphin runner. Their Alex Apati thinks we might see a complete market reshuffle before Saturday.

God, I love Derby week chaos.

Why I'm Actually Listening This Time

Here's my confession: I usually ignore jockey tips. Most of them are just being polite about their connections or hedging their bets. But Frankie's different – he's got nothing to lose now, no political games to play.

When he says Pride Of Arras "impressed me the most in the Derby trials," that carries weight. This is a man who's ridden in more big races than I've had hot dinners.

The £1.5 million question remains: can a horse with just two career starts handle the Epsom madness? The undulations, the crowd, the pressure?

Frankie thinks so. And after watching that Dante performance three times on replay, I'm starting to think he might be right.

My fiver's going on Pride Of Arras too. Don't tell my wife.

Frequently Asked Questions

What health precautions do you need to take when training a horse for racing?

Preventing injury and illness requires that you pay attention to your racehorse’s health. Regular veterinary checks, vaccinations and dental care are important. The horse should also be monitored for signs of discomfort, fatigue or strain. It is important to implement a carefully planned training regime that allows a gradual progression in intensity. This will minimize the risk for musculoskeletal problems.

Do different breeds of horses require different training methods?

Race training methods can indeed vary for different horse breeds, as breed characteristics and racing distances differ. Thoroughbreds that are usually associated with long-distance racing on flat surfaces receive different training from Quarter Horses. Each breed needs a unique approach that is tailored to their physical and behavior traits.

How often is it recommended that racehorses are trained?

Training frequency for racehorses is usually tailored to the individual horse's needs, level of fitness, and racing schedule. A typical daily routine would consist of exercises such as walking and trotting. More intense workouts such as galloping, or breezing, are performed several times per week to increase stamina and improve speed. Rest days are also important for the horse's recovery and to prevent overtraining.

How do I condition a horse for racing?

A racehorse's conditioning is a process that involves a combination of slow, long distance work for stamina as well as shorter, faster workouts for speed. It is important to strengthen the horse’s cardiovascular system, muscles, and skeletal structures over time by following a regiment that mimics racing conditions without causing injury.

What kind of diet is best for a racing horse?

A racehorse diet must be of the highest quality and balanced precisely to meet their energetic requirements for training and racing. It generally consists of a combination of high-grade hay, grains such as oats or barley, and commercially prepared feed designed for racehorses. In addition, essential vitamins should be added to the diet in order to maintain peak performance and overall health.

Can you ride a racehorse in any place?

Although the horse can train on various tracks initially, specific racing training requires facilities which simulate the conditions that the horse is likely to face in competition. The horse must be trained on a track that is the same size and has the same surface as the racetrack. This helps to condition horses and allows them to become familiar with that specific racing environment.

Statistics

Around 80% of thoroughbred racehorses begin their racing careers by the age of two, according to industry estimates.
The majority of racehorses in training are subject to an exercise regimen that includes being ridden six days a week.
Approximately 70% of a racehorse's diet consists of forage, with the remainder made up of grains and supplements to meet their high-calorie needs.
Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.
The average racehorse reaches its peak physical ability between the ages of four to five, with some variation based on the breed and individual development.
Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.

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How To

How To Choose the Right Diet for a Racehorse

In order to select an optimal racehorse diet, you need to strike a good balance between forage grains and supplements. As the main source of nutrition, feed high-quality pasture or hay to keep the gut healthy. Include grains such as oats in your diet to provide the energy you need for exercise. Adding electrolytes, vitamins and other nutrients through supplements can support your recovery and health. You can work with an equine diettician to customize the dietary requirements according to your horse's metabolic and individual workload.

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