Trial races for the Epsom Derby

Trial races for the Epsom Derby are horse races during April and May which are contested by three-year-olds likely to run in the Derby in early June.

Most Derby runners appear in at least one race in the weeks before the event, although some, such as the winners Lammtarra and Shaamit, may arrive at Epsom with no previous run as a three-year-old.

The leading trial of recent years has been the Dante Stakes, which has been contested by seven subsequent winners of the Derby in the last 32 years. The following table shows any race classed at Listed level or above which served as a trial for a Derby winner during the period 1992 to 2024.

Race Derby winners from race 1992–2024 (won unless stated)
Prix La Force Pour Moi (3rd)
Feilden Stakes Erhaab (2nd), Golden Horn
Craven Stakes Dr Devious (2nd), Masar
Ballysax Stakes Sinndar (2nd), Galileo, High Chaparral, Harzand
Sandown Classic Trial Benny the Dip (2nd), Adayar (2nd)
2,000 Guineas Sir Percy (2nd), New Approach (2nd), Sea the Stars, Camelot, Australia (3rd), Masar (3rd), Auguste Rodin (12th), City of Troy (9th)
Kentucky Derby Dr Devious (7th)
Dee Stakes Oath, Kris Kin
Lingfield Derby Trial High-Rise, Anthony Van Dyck, Adayar (2nd)
Prix Greffulhe Pour Moi
Chester Vase Ruler of the World, Wings of Eagles (2nd)
Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral
Dante Stakes Erhaab, Benny the Dip, North Light, Motivator, Authorized, Workforce (2nd), Golden Horn, Desert Crown
Glasgow Stakes(No longer a trial) Commander in Chief
Irish 2,000 Guineas New Approach (2nd)
Unraced as 3-y-o Lammtarra, Shaamit
Winners on maiden Serpentine

See also

References