At the time of writing, the form of the Derby Stakes, run at Epsom Downs on June 3, 2023, is about to be imminently tested – as it has several times in recent weeks – when The Foxes, trained by Andrew Balding, attempts to justify favouritism in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, over a mile and a quarter, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The son of dual Guineas winner Churchill looked a non-stayer at Epsom, eventually finishing fifth, beaten 8¼ lengths, after weakening in the final half a furlong, so it will be interesting to see if dropping back in distance can see him return to winning ways.
Win or lose, though, the form of the Derby has, so far, worked out very well indeed. The half-length winner, Auguste Rodin, trained by Aidan O’Brien, has since followed up, albeit at long odds-on, in the Irish Derby at the Curragh a month later. In so doing, he once again took care of White Birch, Sprewell and his stable companion Adelaide River, who finished third, fourth and eighth at Epsom, although Adelaide River improved to finish a rallying second and was the only one to make a race of it with the winner.
Likewise, the Derby second, King Of Steel, franked the form with a comfortable, 3½-length win in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot three weeks later. Once again he, too, took care of Derby also-rans Artistic Star, Dubai Mile and Arrest, who finished in the same order as they did at Epsom, but still six lengths, and further, behind the winner.
Finally, Waipiro, who could make no impression in the closing stages when a 10½-length sixth in the Epsom Classic, won the Hampton Court Stakes, over a mile and quarter, at Royal Ascot to give the Derby form an especially solid look. Unfortunately, with the exception of The Foxes, all the principals have now ‘played their cards’, so perhaps Military Order, who finished last at Epsom, but had previously beaten Waipiro in the Lingfield Derby Trial, could be the one to look out for on his return to a more conventional track.