2015 Investec Derby

Now sponsored by Investec, the Derby is the world's greatest flat race and the oldest continually run sporting contest in the world. The race was first run in 1780 when Diomed claimed his place in history and the 2015 Investec Derby on 6th June will be the 236th renewal of the middle distance classic for three-year-olds.With prize money of £1.25 million, the Derby is one of the richest races in the UK calendar and the one everyone wants to win. The roll of honour of includes legendary names such as Seabird, Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Shergar, right up to 2014 Derby winner Australia. Run over an undulating one-and-a-half miles of the Epsom Downs, the course sets a unique and stern test of a horses balance, ability and stamina with most Derby winners becoming big business at stud.The Derby has thrown up three 100/1 winners since its inception, but none in the last 100 years, while the shortest odds winner was Ladas at 2/9 way back in 1894. The biggest ever field in an Epsom Derby was 34 in 1862 and just 4 horse took part in the 1794 running.The fastest winning time at Epsom of 2m 31.33s was set by Workforce as recently as 2010 and the widest winning margin of 10 lengths marked Shergar's 1981 success, both of which were trained by Sir Michael Stoute.Horses which perform well in the 2015 2000 Guineas are likely to be prominent in 2015 Epsom Derby betting as they make the step up in trip to one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards.Last 10 Epsom Derby Winners (Jockey, Trainer, Time)2005 Motivator (Johnny Murtagh, Michael Bell, 2:35.69)2006 Sir Percy (Martin Dwyer. Marcus Tregoning, 2:35.23)2007 Authorized (Frankie Dettori, Peter Chapple-Hyam, 2:34.77)2008 New Approach (Kevin Manning, Jim Bolger 2:36.50)2009 Sea the Stars (Michael Kinane, John Oxx, 2:36.74)2010 Workforce (Ryan Moore, Sir Michael Stoute, 2:31.33)2011 Pour Moi (Mickael Barzalona, André Fabre, 2:34.54)2012 Camelot (Joseph O'Brien, Aidan O'Brien, 2:33.90)2013 Ruler of the World (Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien, 2:39.06)2014 Australia (Joseph O'Brien, Aidan O'Brien, 2:33.63)Top Epsom Derby TrainersYou'll notice from the list above that Aidan O'Brien has trained each of the last three winners of the Epsom Derby and is very much a handler to side with when betting on high-profile flat races. The master of Ballydoyle is the first person ever to train three successive Derby winners and his 2012 success with Camelot was also significant as he and his 19-year-old son Joseph became the first father-son/trainer-jockey combination to win the race. He still has some way to go to become the most successful Epsom derby trainer ever though, check out the list below;7 Wins - Robert Robson, John Porter, Fred Darling6 Wins - Frank Neale, Mathew Dawson, Vincent O'Brien5 Wins - Dixon Boyce, James Edwards, Aidan O'Brien, John Scott, Richard Prince, Sir Michael Stoute4 Wins - Sir Henry Cecil, John Pratt, Richard MarshTop Epsom Derby JockeysJust as important as betting on a horse likely to be in prime condition for a race of such magnitude is siding with a jockey you have faith in. Patience and timing the kick for home is everything in the Derby and nobody has won it more times than the great Lester Piggott. His record of nine Epsom Derby wins may never be broken, here is a list of the jockeys which have won the Derby at least four times.9 Wins - Lester Piggott6 Wins - Steve Donoghue, Jem Robinson5 Wins - Fred Archer, Frank Buckle, Bill Clift, John Arnull4 Wins - Willie Carson, Tom Goodisson, Sam Arnull, John Watts, Charles Smirke, Bill Scott