Ladies’ Day on Derby Day is the one day of the year when the excitement of the Downs meets glamour; Derby Day is like no other.

Steeped in history, this iconic racecourse hits differently than anywhere else. The unique test that Epsom presents lends itself to being a track where only the best equine athletes will emerge victorious. 

We are spoiled with competitive action on day two of the Derby Festival, none more so than in the ever-popular Epsom ‘Dash’, but at 3:30 all eyes will be on 19 colts as only one will be crowned the 2025 Epsom Derby winner. 

Quick Epsom day two tips: Win singles

• 1:00 Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes: Sparks Fly (e/w) 8/1 with BetVictor
• 1:35 Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes: Docklands 7/4 with bet365
• 2:10 Betfred 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap: Rubys Profit 7/2 with SBK
• 2:45 Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap: Jer Batt 7/1 (e/w) with Ladbrokes 
• 3:30 Group 1 Betfred Derby: Stanhope Gardens 16/1 (e/w) with BetVictor
• 4:15 Encore Life Northern Dancer Handicap: Small Fry 6/1 with bet365
• 5:00 Hong Kong Jockey World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap: War Hawk 11/2 with SBK 
• 5:40 JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap: Sondad 9/1 (e/w) with Ladbrokes

1:00 Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes – 1m½f 

Having racked up a hat-trick of wins at the back end of last season with the highlight being a win at Listed level in France, SPARKS FLY made a tame return to action with an eight in a Group 3 in France.  

She has the profile of a horse that will bounce back to form, and now, with race fitness on her side, you can expect a much better showing for this progressive mare. 

SPARKS FLY 

• Trainer: David Loughnane 
• Jockey: Laura Person 
• Form: 7111-8 
• Age: 5 
• Weight: 9st 8lb 

Bet on SPARKS FLY to win the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at 8/1 with BetVictor 

1:35 Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes – 1m½f 

DOCKLANDS failed to get off the mark last season, but he still showed his class to fill the runner-up spot behind Charyn in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He went on to have a brief stint in Australia, but to no avail. He returned to Ascot this season for his seasonal bow, finding only Sardinian Warrior, the now Group 1 runner-up, a half-length too good. 

Today looks like a good opportunity for Docklands to get his head back in front. 

DOCKLANDS 

• Trainer: Harry Eustace 
• Jockey: Richard Kingscote 
• Form: 7560-2 
• Age: 5 
• Weight: 9st 8lb 

Bet on DOCKLANDS to win the Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes at 7/4 with bet365

2:10 Betfred 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap – 5f 

It’s never a bad thing to be drawn high over 5f at Epsom, and the one who has a handy draw here and who has recently shown much-improved form for the switch to 5f is RUBYS PROFIT. 

She made it two wins from three starts over 5f, and this blazing front runner could be hard to reel in at a track that plays to the strength of speedy front runners. 

RUBY’S PROFIT 

• Trainer: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole 
• Jockey: Kieran Shoemark 
• Form: 43-121 
• Age: 3 
• Weight: 9st 8lb 

Bet on RUBY’S PROFIT to win the Betfred 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap at 7/2 with SBK

2:45 Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap – 5f 

The impossible task of finding the winner of the Epsom Dash is underway, and all my hopes will lie on the shoulders of JER BATT. He has returned from a well-earned break this season with two good efforts, and his latest run can be marked up as he was caught further back than he would have liked. 

Oisin Murphy gets the leg up today, and if he can get Jer Batt within striking distance with a furlong to go, he will be finished with intent.  

JER BATT 

• Trainer: David & Nicola Barron 
• Jockey: Oisin Murphy 
• Form: 402-35 
• Age: 5 
• Weight: 8st 10lb 

Bet on JER BATT to win the Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap at 7/1 with Ladbrokes

3:30 Grade 1 Betfred Derby – 1m4f 

One of the biggest fields in recent years goes to post for the Betfred Derby, and with many in with realistic winning chances, the one to side with each way is STANHOPE GARDENS. He was beaten a neck by Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket last season and returned just two weeks ago in a three-runner conditions race at Salisbury, where he just had to be pushed out to win easily. 

The Derby trip looks sure to bring out even more improvement from Stanhope Gardens, and with him one of only a few main plays with a handy draw, he looks set to run a big race. 

STANHOPE GARDENS 

• Trainer: Ralph Beckett 
• Jockey: Hector Crouch 
• Form: 312-1 
• Age: 3 
• Weight: 9st 2lb 

Bet on STANHOPE GARDENS to win the Betfred Derby at 16/1 with BetVictor

4:15 Encore Life Northern Dancer Handicap – 1m4f 

Even though SMALL FRY must contend with a career-high mark on the back gutsy win at Chester under Ashley Lewis (front two clear of third place), this course and distance winner looks set to be in the shake up again. 

He has progressed well on the flat and has only finished outside the top three on two occasions from ten starts. He stays this trip well, and knowing that he handles Epsom is a big plus. It’s easy to see him putting up a bold show here.

SMALL FRY 

• Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore 
• Jockey: Ashley Lewis (7lb) 
• Form: 122-31 
• Age: 4 
• Weight: 8st 6lb 

Bet on SMALL FRY to win the Encore Life Northern Dancer Handicap at 6/1 with bet365

5:00 Hong Kong Jockey World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap – 1m2f 

A wide-open contest here, where a chance is taken that WAR HAWK can build on an impressive win at Chester last week. He tracked the leaders throughout at Chester and was taken out for his effort at the furlong pole, where he showed a nice turn of foot to put the race to bed with ease. 

He has been put up 5lb for that win, but he is drawn well to adopt a stalking position and can play a big part in the finish. 

WAR HAWK 

• Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford 
• Jockey: Jack Mitchell 
• Form: 241421 
• Age: 3 
• Weight: 9st 4lb 

Bet on WAR HAWK to win the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap at 11/2 with SBK

5:40 JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap – 6f 

A tough 0-105 to close out the 2025 Betfred Derby Festival. A case can be made for the vast majority of the field, but siding with last-time-out winner SONDAD can pay dividends. He takes a step up in class after a dominant display at Ascot in first-time visors, but this progressive son of Washington DC looks to have a lot more to offer.  

An 8lb hike in the weights may not be enough to stop Sondad from putting up a strong display. 

SONDAD 

• Trainer: Michael & David Easterby 
• Jockey: Joanna Mason 
• Form: 10-821 
• Age: 4 
• Weight: 8st 8lb 

Bet on SONDAD to win the JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap at 9/1 with Ladbrokes

Epsom Derby Day schedule

TIME	RACE	DISTANCE
1:00	Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes	1m½f
1:35	Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes	1m½f
2:10	Betfred 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap	5f
2:45	Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap	5f
3:30	Group 1 Betfred Derby	1m4f
4:15	Encore Life Northern Dancer Handicap	1m4f
5:00	Hong Kong Jockey World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap	1m2f
5:40	JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap	6f

How to watch Epsom Derby day

• Location: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom, Surrey, UK.
• Date/Time: Saturday, June 7^th. First race 1:00
• TV/Streaming: ITV & Racing TV

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.