Tom Segal runs the rule over the juvenile colts who could make the start line for the Derby at Epsom next June
Exclusive new customer sign up offers
FREE BETS
FREE BETS
Each season is different, and it's anyone's guess as to whether we have seen next year's Derby winner on a racetrack yet, but the omens look pretty good because only two of the 44 entrants in next month's Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh are unraced.
If that is the case then which of the juveniles we have seen so far fits the bill in terms of pedigree and has shown the star quality usually associated with an Epsom winner?
The obvious one is the Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court, who cost €2.3 million at the breeze-up sales and is by Justify, City Of Troy's sire. It's hard for one to put a lot of distance into their rivals up the Sandown hill, but Ruling Court shot clear there on his sole start and on pedigree looks certain to stay ten furlongs, and will probably get a mile and a half too.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inTom Segal
Last updated
- Berkshire Winter Million gave hope for the British challenge at the Cheltenham Festival - and this winner looks destined for the top
- Punters should be wary of information overload and one set of stats could be throwing them off the winning scent
- Why non-runner no bet takes the fun out of ante-post betting in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival
- It's been ten long years of Irish dominance at Cheltenham - but I think the Brits might just have the edge in 2025
- Punters should always try to find the front-runner in chases - but this hold-up horse could be Champion Chase class
- Berkshire Winter Million gave hope for the British challenge at the Cheltenham Festival - and this winner looks destined for the top
- Punters should be wary of information overload and one set of stats could be throwing them off the winning scent
- Why non-runner no bet takes the fun out of ante-post betting in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival
- It's been ten long years of Irish dominance at Cheltenham - but I think the Brits might just have the edge in 2025
- Punters should always try to find the front-runner in chases - but this hold-up horse could be Champion Chase class