An early 10-1 tip for the 2025 Betfred Derby at Epsom

*This column was first published on Friday, May 30.

If winning the Betfred Derby was based on looks, then Damysus would surely be a short-priced favourite given his four white socks and gorgeous white blaze. 

The striking son of Frankel certainly stands out from the crowd, and his performances so far suggest he has the ability to match. 

John and Thady Gosden’s charge was due to make his debut at Doncaster in July last year but suffered a setback, and was eventually unleashed at Southwell in December. The form of that race has not worked out that well, and Damysus merely showed glimmers of ability with a cosy success over an inadequate seven furlongs. 

He was also strong in the market beforehand, and big spending owners Wathnan Racing purchased this youngster for 460,000gns as a yearling, which is easy to see why given his eye-catching pedigree. 

His sire needs no introduction, and Damysus is related to several useful winners over a range of trips (up to 1m4f) plus his dam showed a strong level of form, including in Group One company, between 1m-1m4f, so has a blend of speed and stamina in his bloodline. 

It was no surprise he was stepped up to ten furlongs on his return this season in the bet365 Classic Trial where he continued to display signs of greenness and was given an educational ride by William Buick. It certainly appeared an outing he would take a big step forward from.

He chased home a pair of rivals who had the benefit of more experience there and was the one to take out of the race. Connections also stressed beforehand that it was a “fact-finding mission” and that their “very laid-back character” is “probably going to be one who shows a lot more in the afternoon than he does in the mornings”. 

This year's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes looked a strong race on paper, and Damysus was a market drifter for his third outing. However, he found only the impressive winner, Pride Of Arras, too good, and this effort can be marked up given he tracked The Lion In Winter (the eventual sixth) and therefore found himself slightly further back than ideal two furlongs out.

Admittedly, the winner was well on top at the finish, and lacked race fitness plus had only had one start, but the selection caught the eye with his finishing effort after travelling powerfully, and the RaceiQ data shows he clocked the highest FSP (finishing speed percentage). Interestingly, he also recorded the second-highest top speed, and would have finished closer had he not drifted left in the closing stages where again showcasing his inexperience.

That trait (he also did the same on debut and at Sandown) is a slight niggle, especially on the Epsom camber, although it is also a sign he has been a work in progress, and this outing proved he handles good to firm ground, which he could encounter on Saturday week.

While further improvement will be required to win the Betfred Derby, and reverse form with Pride Of Arras, I expect he has been brought along steadily this year with one race in mind, and stepping up to twelve furlongs should be a positive based on his latest effort. 

It was nothing more than a casual gallop, but he also enjoyed a sighter of the course, at least, when attending Epsom's ‘Breakfast With The Stars’ event recently, and James Doyle appeared pleased afterwards. Watch what he had to say on Racing TV below.

That experience should prove beneficial, and there are no concerns regarding the track on that evidence, so with another chunk of progression on the horizon, the selection appeals at the general 10-1 available, especially as you can find chinks in the armour of some of those above him in the betting, and I struggled to make a strong case for one at chunkier odds. 

For a more in-depth look at the Betfred Derby, make sure you check out Andy Stephens' runner-by-runner guide which includes plenty of analysis and clues on the contenders for this year's Epsom showpeice.

Ante-post selection: DAMYSUS at 10-1 to win the 2025 Betfred Derby.