2015 Epsom Derby

The initial entry for the 2015 Epsom Derby, announced in December 2013, consisted of 409 yearlings. The number of entries was three more than for the 2014 race and included 71 from Godolphin Racing and 54 from the partners of the Coolmore Stud. Sheikh Fahad Al Thani's Qatar Racing organization entered 15 yearlings while Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was responsible for 12 entries.{{cite web|title=409 yearlings entered for 2015 Investec Derby|url=http://www.britishchampionsseries.com/news/headlines/2013/409-yearlings-entered-for-2015-investec-derby.html|website=britishchampionsseries.com|accessdate=10 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194631/http://www.britishchampionsseries.com/news/headlines/2013/409-yearlings-entered-for-2015-investec-derby.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Amongst the Coolmore entries was a colt who had been purchased for a record public auction price of 3.6 million guineas in October 2013, and other owners with significant numbers of entries included Aga Khan IV with 51 yearlings and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's 47 entries.{{cite web|title=409 yearlings entered for 2015 Epsom Derby|url=http://eclipsemagazine.co.uk/news/racing-focus/5656-409-yearlings-entered-for-2015-epsom-derby|website=eclipsemagazine.co.uk|accessdate=10 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210221705/http://eclipsemagazine.co.uk/news/racing-focus/5656-409-yearlings-entered-for-2015-epsom-derby|archive-date=10 December 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The number of potential runners was reduced to 102 at the first scratching date in March 2015, with John F Kennedy heading the betting market at odds of 6 to 1. The Coolmore stable was left with 21 possible runners, including John F Kennedy and the record auction colt, now named Sir Isaac Newton.{{cite web|title=John F Kennedy heads 102 going forward for the Epsom Derby|url=http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/International/default.aspx?id=79060&page=1&keyword=|website=Thoroughbred News|accessdate=1 April 2015}} A further 12 horses were added at the second entry stage in April 2015, including Gleneagles and Elm Park.{{cite web|last1=Riley|first1=Stuart|title=Gleneagles and Elm Park added to the Derby field|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-epsom-epsom-derby-gleneagles-and-elm-park-added-to-the-derby-field/1852583/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610192437/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-epsom-epsom-derby-gleneagles-and-elm-park-added-to-the-derby-field/1852583/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 June 2015|accessdate=23 April 2015}}

File:046 Epsom Derby 2015 - The field rounding Tattenham Corner led by Hans Holbein (18401133420).jpg

The field began to take its final shape on 22 May when sixteen horses were left entered at the final forfeit stage. Amongst those remaining in the race were Gleneagles, who had won the 2000 Guineas since being entered; Hans Holbein, the winner of the Chester Vase and Jack Hobbs, runner-up in the Dante Stakes. The betting market was headed by Golden Horn, winner of the Feilden Stakes and the Dante Stakes, but who was not yet entered in the Derby. Golden Horn's owner, Anthony Oppenheimer, had indicated that he would enter the horse at the supplementary entry stage.{{cite web|last1=Eacott|first1=Paul|title=Dettori set to ride Golden Horn in the Derby|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502100803/http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 May 2012|accessdate=22 May 2015}}

Final confirmations for the race took place on Monday 1 June leaving a potential field of fifteen runners. Gleneagles, Great Glen and Prince Gagarin were withdrawn by Aidan O'Brien and Golden Horn was supplemented as expected at a cost of £75,000. Success Days, winner of the Ballysax Stakes and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, was also supplemented for the race. The filly Found and Sumbal had been considered by their connections for supplementary entries but were not entered. Golden Horn was the favourite in the betting market at this point at odds of 7–4, followed by Zawraq at 5–1, Jack Hobbs at 7–1 and Elm Park at 9–1. The other eleven runners were all listed at 10–1 or greater.{{cite web|title=Gleneagles: Aidan O'Brien charge to miss Derby for Royal Ascot|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/32962966|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=2 June 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=Aidan O’Brien’s 2,000 Guineas winner Gleneagles withdrawn from Derby|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/01/aidan-obrien-gleneagles-derby|website=The Guardian|accessdate=2 June 2015}} On the Tuesday before the race Zawraq returned from a gallop with a minor leg injury and his participation in the Derby was put in doubt. Zawraq's odds moved out to 7–1 while Giovanni Canaletto's price moved in to 8–1 after Ryan Moore was announced the horse's jockey for the race.{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=Zawraq a Derby doubt while Ryan Moore will ride Giovanni Canaletto|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/02/zawraq-derby-ryan-moore-giovanni-canaletto|website=The Guardian|accessdate=3 June 2015}} On Thursday Zawraq was found to be lame again and was withdraw at the final declaration stage that morning along with Best Of Times and Rocky Rider, leaving a final declared field of twelve runners for the 2015 race.{{cite web |last= Cook |first= Chris |date= 4 June 2015 |title=Third-favourite Zawraq is pulled out of the Derby after going lame |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/04/zawraq-pulled-out-of-the-derby-lame |website=The Guardian}}

On the day of the race, Saturday 6 June, Epsom's clerk of the course, Andrew Cooper, moved the Going description to "good, good to firm in places". The going for Friday's racing at Epsom had been "good" but dry weather that afternoon and overnight had made parts of the course good to firm. Jack Hobbs' participation in the race awaited a decision from trainer John Gosden, dependent on his view of whether the going would suit Jack Hobbs.{{cite web|date=6 Jun 2015 |title=John Gosden yet to make Jack Hobbs Derby decision|work=RTÉ Sport|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/2015/0606/706291-gosden-yet-to-make-jack-hobbs-derby-decision/|access-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211128183334/https://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/2015/0606/706291-gosden-yet-to-make-jack-hobbs-derby-decision/ |archive-date= 28 November 2021 |url-status= live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-jack-hobbs-likely-to-run-at-epsom-after-workout/1884384/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630223659/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-jack-hobbs-likely-to-run-at-epsom-after-workout/1884384/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-06-30|title=Jack Hobbs likely to run at Epsom after workout|author=Lee Mottershead|work=Racing Post}} After the first race of the afternoon the going description was changed to "good to firm",{{cite web|last1=Baxter|first1=David|title=Epsom going quickens|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-epsom-going-quickens-to-good-to-firm-after-opener/1891655/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726184109/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-epsom-going-quickens-to-good-to-firm-after-opener/1891655/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2015|access-date=6 June 2015}} despite which Jack Hobbs was allowed to take his chance in the race.{{cite web |date= 6 June 2015 |title=Superb Derby second For Jack Hobbs|work=Godolphin |url=https://www.godolphin.com/news/superb-derby-second-for-jack-hobbs |access-date=24 March 2023 }}

In February 2015 Epsom's owners, Jockey Club Racecourses, announced that the race's start time would be 4.30pm, 30 minutes later than the 2014 running.{{cite web|last= Matharu |first= Hardeep |date= 17 February 2015 |title= Derby start time to be pushed back to boost television ratings |work= Sutton and Croydon Guardian |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11798178.derby-start-time-to-be-pushed-back-to-boost-television-ratings/ |access-date=24 March 2023 }}

The race began with Elm Park disputing the lead with Hans Holbein over the first half mile with Storm The Stars and Epicuris leading the chasing group, and most of the leading contenders being settled in behind. Andrea Atzeni eventually managed to restrain Elm Park, allowing Hans Holbein to establish a clear lead. At the turn into the straight Hans Holbein led by several lengths from Elm Park, followed by Epicuris, Storm The Stars, Jack Hobbs and Giovanni Canaletto. The leaders bunched approaching the final quarter mile with Hans Holbein challenged by Epicuris as Storm The Stars and Jack Hobbs challenged in the centre of the track and Golden Horn made rapid progress from the rear on the outside. Jack Hobbs took the lead but was quickly overtaken by his stablemate Golden Horn approaching the final furlong. In the closing stages Golden Horn drew away to win by three and a half lengths from Jack Hobbs, who was in turn four and a half lengths clear of Storm The Stars in third. Giovanni Canaletto took fourth ahead of Epicuris, Kilimanjaro and Hans Holbein.{{cite web|last1=Keogh|first1=Frank|title=Frankie Dettori wins Epsom Derby on favourite Golden Horn|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/33036202|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=7 June 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Chris|title=Frankie Dettori wins his second Derby at Epsom on Golden Horn|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/06/derby-epsom|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 June 2015}}{{cite news |title= 4:30pm Epsom |date= 6 June 2015 |url= https://www.racingpost.com/results/17/epsom/2015-06-06/592366 |work= Racing Post}} The winning time of 2:32.32 was the third fastest in the history of the race. The last place finisher Success Days sustained a hairline fracture in his left foot while running in the Derby and was treated on the course.{{cite news|last1=Jennings|first1=David|title=Success Days to miss Irish Derby with fracture|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/k-j-condon-curragh-curragh-irish-derby-success-days-to-miss-irish-derby-with-fracture/1894374/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612121348/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/k-j-condon-curragh-curragh-irish-derby-success-days-to-miss-irish-derby-with-fracture/1894374/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 June 2015|accessdate=14 June 2015|work=Racing Post|date=10 June 2015}}

Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.

* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths or shorter; hd = head.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.

Further details of the winner:{{cite web|title=Golden Horn|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/865306/golden-horn|accessdate=7 June 2015}}

• Foaled: 27 March 2012
• Sire: Cape Cross
• Owner: Anthony Oppenheimer
• Breeder: Hascombe and Valiant Studs

Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 2014

Early-season appearances in 2015 and trial races prior to running in the Derby:

Group 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby:

Leading progeny of participants in the 2015 Epsom Derby.{{cite web |url=http://galopp-sieger.de/ |title=Stammtafeln |website=Galopp Sieger |publisher=Galopp Sieger |access-date=April 28, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/search/?tab=profiles&page=1&query=&profiles_type=horses_profiles |title=Profiles Search |work=Racing Post |access-date=April 28, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pedigreequery.com/ |title=Progeny Reports |website=Pedigree Query |publisher=Pedigree Query |access-date=April 28, 2020}}

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Category:2010s in Surrey