2016 Epsom Derby

The initial entry for the 2016 Epsom Derby, announced in December 2014, consisted of 475 yearlings. Amongst the entries was a brother to the unbeaten Frankel, and a son of Midday.{{cite web|title=Frankel's brother among entries for 2016 Derby at Epsom|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/30417460|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=30 September 2015}} The number of entries was an increase of 66 on the initial entry for the 2015 race, and included 53 horses from the Godolphin Racing organisation and 77 from the Coolmore Stud. The number of potential runners was reduced to 136 at the first scratching date in March 2016 with Foundation (trained by John Gosden) and Midterm, the son of Midday, (Michael Stoute) heading the betting market at odds of 12 to 1. Aidan O'Brien trained 36 of the runners left in the race.{{cite web|title=136 go forward for 2016 Investec Derby|url=http://epsom.thejockeyclub.co.uk/pr-policies/press-releases/136-go-forward-for-2016-investec-derby|website=Epsom Downs Racecourse|access-date=20 March 2016}} A further 9 horses were added at the second entry stage in April 2016 at a cost of £8,000 per entry. The second entries included Carntop, bred and owned by Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.{{cite web|title=Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have entry in Epsom Derby|url=http://www.skysports.com/racing/news/12040/10233552/prince-of-wales-and-duchess-of-cornwall-have-entry-in-epsom-derby|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=8 April 2016}}

The field began to take its final shape on 20 May when twenty-two horses were left entered at the final forfeit stage. Amongst those remaining in the race were trial winners US Army Ranger (Chester Vase), Harzand (Ballysax Stakes) and Moonlight Magic (Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial) along with the Classic winner The Gurkha (Poule d'Essai des Poulains) and Awtaad, who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas just after the confirmations were announced. Thirteen of the remaining entries were trained in Ireland, including eight from Aidan O'Brien's stable.{{cite web|last1=Sargeant|first1=Karen|title=Epsom Derby 2016: 22 go forward for Investec Derby|url=http://eclipsemagazine.co.uk/epsom-derby-2016-22-go-forward-investec-derby/|website=Eclipse Magazine|access-date=24 May 2016}}

Final confirmations for the race took place on Monday 30 May leaving a potential field of eighteen runners. Wings of Desire, Cloth of Stars, Humphrey Bogart and Red Verdon were supplemented at a cost of £75,000 and the additional entries made the prize money £1.45m and meant that the 2016 Derby would be the most valuable horse race ever staged in Great Britain.{{cite web|title=Epsom Derby: Wings Of Desire & Cloth Of Stars among late entries|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/36412946|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 May 2016}} Awtaad and The Gurkha were both withdrawn at this stage. Some rain was forecast for the week prior to the race with Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper saying ""There are bits and pieces of rain in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday but by the end of the week it’ll be getting drier and a bit warmer. If we get the 5mm, I expect the going will be at or near ‘good’ for Friday and a bit faster than that for Saturday."{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Chris|title=Derby 2016: Biggest field in a decade will chase £1.5m prize fund|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/30/derby-2016-biggest-field-in-decade-prize-fund-andrew-cooper-horse-racing|website=The Guardian|access-date=31 May 2016}} Bookmakers odds the following day suggested an open race with no clear-cut favourite. US Army Ranger and Wings of Desire quoted at 4 to 1 joint favourites by Coral with Ulysses and Cloth of Stars at 6 to 1.{{cite web|last1=Mottershead|first1=Lee|title=Host of colts vying to be sent off Derby favourite|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-host-of-colts-vying-to-be-sent-off-derby-favourite/2092096/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604154513/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-host-of-colts-vying-to-be-sent-off-derby-favourite/2092096#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2016|access-date=31 May 2016}} On Wednesday 1 June Cooper changed the going to "soft, good to soft in places" after 22mm of rain fell on Tuesday.{{cite web|title=Going now soft, good to soft in places at Epsom|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-epsom-now-soft-good-to-soft-in-places-for-derby-meeting/2093108/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805195709/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/epsom-derby-epsom-now-soft-good-to-soft-in-places-for-derby-meeting/2093108/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2016|access-date=1 June 2016}}

Declarations for the race were made on Thursday 2 June and Aidan O'Brien withdrew both Beacon Rock and Bravery. There were no other withdrawals and a field of sixteen declared runners was left for the 2016 Derby.{{cite web|title=Epsom Derby: Five Aidan O'Brien runners among 16-strong field|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/36436694|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 June 2016}}

Early jockey plans for the race included Andrea Atzeni being booked for Michael Stoute's Ulysses on 21 May{{cite web|last1=Scully|first1=Mark|title=Atzeni thrilled to pick up Derby ride on Ulysses|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/sir-michael-stoute-andrea-atzeni-epsom-atzeni-thrilled-to-pick-up-derby-ride-on-ulysses/2086565/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805153242/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/sir-michael-stoute-andrea-atzeni-epsom-atzeni-thrilled-to-pick-up-derby-ride-on-ulysses/2086565/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2016|access-date=31 May 2016}} and Kieren Fallon booked for the same trainer's Across the Stars. Fallon won the Derby in 2003 on Kris Kin for Across the Star's owner, Saeed Suhail, also trained by Stoute.{{cite web|last1=Miilnes|first1=David|title=Fallon and Stoute to team up in the Derby|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/kieren-fallon-fallon-and-stoute-to-team-up-in-derby-with-across-the-stars/2088100/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805153245/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/kieren-fallon-fallon-and-stoute-to-team-up-in-derby-with-across-the-stars/2088100/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2016|access-date=31 May 2016}}

The first significant trial race for the 2016 Derby took place at Leopardstown on 10 April when a field of seven colts contested the Ballysax Stakes. The race was won by the 2/1 favourite Harzand, trained by Dermot Weld. Harzand beat Idaho by a length and a quarter and was subsequently quoted at odds of between 16/1 and 25/1 for the Derby and his trainer stated he would be "keeping an open mind" about targets for the colt. Jockey Pat Smullen felt that Harzand was "... too big and heavy for Epsom. He is more of an Irish Derby horse and the St Leger distance would be ideal."{{cite web|title=Ballysax Stakes result|work=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/187/leopardstown/2016-04-10/648071|access-date=25 April 2016}}{{cite web|last1=McFadden|first1=Tony|title=Harzand storms to Ballysax success|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/leopardstown-harzand-storms-to-ballysax-success/2061623/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512005636/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/leopardstown-harzand-storms-to-ballysax-success/2061623#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2016|access-date=25 April 2016}}

Epsom staged the Investec Derby Trial on 20 April. Although the race is run on the same racecourse as the Derby itself and gives a free entry to the Derby for the winner, it "struggles to attract leading Derby contenders".{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=Gosden sets So Mi Dar on course for Oaks after Epsom Derby Trial win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/20/so-mi-dar-the-oaks-derby-trial-epsom|website=The Guardian}} The 2016 race failed to improve this reputation as it was won by a filly, So Mi Dar, whose trainer John Gosden intended to run her in the Epsom Oaks. So Mi Dar subsequently won the Musidora Stakes but was ruled out of the Oaks by injury.{{cite web|last1=Keogh|first1=Frank|title=So Mi Dar: John Gosden-trained filly to miss Oaks at Epsom|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/36306871|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 May 2016}} The favourite for the Derby Trial, Claudio Monteverdi, finished fourth and appeared uncomfortable on the Epsom track.{{cite web|title=Investec Derby Trial result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/17/epsom/2016-04-20/647027|access-date=25 April 2016}}

On 22 April the Bet365 Classic Trial was run at Sandown Park. The race saw the seasonal debut of Midterm, one of the winter favourites for the Derby, who started at odds of 8/11 for this race. Midterm, ridden by Ryan Moore, won by one and a half lengths from Algometer and his odds for the Derby were subsequently reduced to 6/1 by some bookmakers.{{cite web|title=Sandown: Ryan Moore wins the Classic Trial on Midterm|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/36114652|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 April 2016}}{{cite web|title=Bet365 Classic Trial result|work=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/54/sandown/2016-04-22/647206|access-date=28 April 2016}} The horse's trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, felt that Midterm had to run well to even consider a run in the Derby and stated that the colt's next race would either be at Chester or York.{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=Midterm passes his Derby Trial examination at Sandown|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/22/midterm-passes-his-derby-trial-examination-at-sandown|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 April 2016}}

Newmarket Racecourse's Guineas Festival on 30 April and 1 May threw up three winners with possible Derby hopes. The 2000 Guineas was won by Galileo Gold, owned by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's Al Shaqab Racing. Galileo Gold was quoted after the race at odds of 6 to 1 for the Derby by the bookmakers William Hill and 10 to 1 by Ladbrokes.{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=Frankie Dettori triumphs on Galileo Gold in Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/apr/30/frankie-dettori-2000-guineas-galileo-gold-newmarket-aidan-obrien|website=The Guardian|access-date=3 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=2000 Guineas Stakes result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/38/newmarket/2016-04-30/635196|access-date=3 May 2016}} The same afternoon's Listed Newmarket Stakes was won by Godolphin's Hawkbill, trained by Charlie Appleby. Hawkbill won by a length and a quarter from Abdon with the favourite, Sky Kingdom, a further length away in third. Godolphin's racing manager, John Ferguson, said after the race that Hawkbill would be able to run over longer distances than the ten-furlong Newmarket Stakes, and that the Derby and its French equivalent the Prix du Jockey-Club were possible targets.{{cite web|title=Kitten's Joy Colt Enters The Derby Picture|url=http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/kittens-joy-colt-enters-the-derby-picture/|website=Thoroughbred Daily News|access-date=5 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Newmarket Stakes result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/38/newmarket/2016-04-30/647785|access-date=5 May 2016}} The third race with an impact on the Derby betting was the 1000 Guineas, restricted to fillies, which was won by Minding, owned by Coolmore and trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien. Minding's three-and-a-half length win prompted the Ladbrokes bookmaking company to quote her at odds of 5 to 2 for the Derby "with a run", allowing gamblers to back her at those odds and have their stake refunded if she does not run in the race. O'Brien was non-committal when asked about future plans for Minding, stating that the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks were also possible targets, and saying that ""Obviously [the owners] will talk about that but all those things are open to her. I suppose they're going to talk about it and see what everyone wants to do."{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Chris| title=Minding's 1,000 Guineas superiority prompts talk of gatecrashing Derby |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/01/minding-1000-guineas-derby-aidan-obrien-ryan-moore-newmarket-horse-racing|website=The Guardian|access-date=5 May 2016}}

The first of two trials at Chester's May meeting was run on 5 May and was notable for the appearance of the Aidan O'Brien-trained US Army Ranger, favourite for the Derby itself, if Minding's odds were overlooked. US Army Ranger was sent off at odds of 4 to 11 and won by the narrow margin of a short head from Port Douglas, also trained by O'Brien. US Army Ranger's jockey Ryan Moore felt that the colt would improve for the run, saying "He's a baby, it's only his second run and he made his debut five weeks ago – he'll learn plenty." Bookmakers reacted by increasing US Army Ranger's Derby odds to a general 5 to 1, with Midterm favourite at 7 to 2.{{cite web|title=US Army Ranger: Chester Vase won by Epsom Derby contender|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/36215482|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Chester Vase result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/13/chester/2016-05-05/648232|access-date=5 May 2016}} The second trial of the meeting, the Dee Stakes, took place on 6 May and had little bearing on the Derby betting as the winner, Viren's Army, does not have an entry in the classic. The owners, Middleham Park Racing, said after the race "Whether he's up to something like the Derby is debatable. There's no definite plan but we'll have a chat and see what there is for him."{{cite web|last1=McFadden|first1=Tony|title=Viren's Army prevails in tough battle for Dee|work=Racing Post|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/chester-virens-army-prevails-in-tough-battle-for-dee-stakes/2077072/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507180412/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/chester-virens-army-prevails-in-tough-battle-for-dee-stakes/2077072/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 May 2016|access-date=7 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Dee Stakes result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/13/chester/2016-05-06/648244|access-date=7 May 2016}}

The Lingfield Derby Trial at Lingfield Park on 7 May provided another trial winner with no entry in the Derby when Humphrey Bogart beat Carntop by half a length. Humphrey Bogart's owners, Chelsea Thoroughbreds, suggested after the race that they would look at paying the £75,000 required to enter the colt for the Derby with representative Richard Morecambe saying "it appears to be a weaker year" and they were "very very temped" to enter. Trainer Richard Hannon Jr. said "We’ll sleep on it, that's what we should say".{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Chris|title=Humphrey Bogart may be cast in Derby role after Lingfield trial win|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/07/humphrey-bogart-derby-lingfield-trial-richard-hannon-horse-racing|website=The Guardian|access-date=9 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Lingfield Derby Trial result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/31/lingfield/2016-05-07/648278|access-date=9 May 2016}}

The day after the Lingfield trial Leopardstown staged the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial over 1 mile 2 furlongs. The victory went to Moonlight Magic, trained by Jim Bolger and ridden by Kevin Manning, Moolight Magic beat Shogun by a length and a quarter and was cut to odds of 16 to 1 for the Derby. Bolger favoured a run at Epsom in his post-race comments, saying "I have to discuss it with the mentors, and arrive at a decision, but I would love to go...he's a very versatile horse, he could operate from a mile to a mile and a half, and is a very classic horse – the dam is a half-sister to Galileo and Sea the Stars. I’ll respect the opposition, but I won't fear them … as usual."{{cite web|last1=Lyons|first1=Tommy|title=Moonlight Magic shines bright in Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/187/leopardstown/2016-05-08/650393|access-date=9 May 2016}}

Sunday 8 May also saw a major trial race in France, the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. Godolphin Racing's Cloth Of Stars, trained by André Fabre won by two and a half lengths from Robin Of Navan. Cloth Of Stars is not entered for the Derby but Godolphin's chief executive John Ferguson stated that they would be willing to enter the colt at the supplementary stage, saying "We now know that the Prix du Jockey Club is a serious possibility, but there is also Epsom so we’ll see how he trains between now and then".{{cite web|title=Sea the Stars' Cloth of Stars Takes the Greffulhe|url=http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/sea-the-stars-cloth-of-stars-takes-the-greffulhe/|website=Thoroughbred Daily News|access-date=11 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Prix Greffulhe result|work=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/219/saint-cloud/2016-05-08/650965|access-date=11 May 2016}}

York's Dante Stakes took place on 12 May with Midterm sent off as favourite. The race resulted in a win for Wings Of Desire, trained by John Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori, with Midterm unplaced. The winner was quoted at odds of around 4 to 1 for the Derby, alongside US Army Ranger, after the win and Gosden indicated that Wings Of Desire would be entered for the Derby at the supplementary stage, saying that "he showed me things early on, I thought 'goodness'. he's so laid back". Deauville finished as runner-up and is an intended runner in the Prix du Jockey-Club.{{cite web|title=Dante Stakes: Wings Of Desire wins at York under Frankie Dettori|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/36274975|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=13 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Dante Stakes result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/107/york/2016-05-12/645972|access-date=13 May 2016}} Midterm was subsequently found to be suffering a hamstring injury after the race, and a further scan showed a stress fracture of the pelvis. This injury led to him being ruled out of the Derby on 20 May.{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=Midterm ruled out of the Derby with a stress fracture of the pelvis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/20/midterm-ruled-out-derby-pelvis-stress-fracture|website=The Guardian|access-date=24 May 2016}}

Two French races with a possible bearing on the Epsom Derby were run on Sunday 15 May. The Poule d'Essai des Poulains is France's equivalent of the 2000 Guineas and was run at Deauville as the regular venue at Longchamp is closed for redevelopment during 2016. The race was won by Aidan O'Brien's runner, The Gurkha, ridden by Ryan Moore. The Gurkha won by five and a half lengths and his Derby odds were reduced from 20 to 1 to 6 to 1 after his victory. O'Brien did not immediately confirm that the colt would run at Epsom, saying after the race ""He has three options now: the St James's Palace, the French Derby and the Epsom Derby".{{cite web|last1=Cook|first1=Chris|title=Derby beckons after Aidan O'Brien's The Gurkha puts rivals to the sword|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/15/derby-aidan-obrien-the-gurkha-ryan-moore-deauville-2000-guineas-michael-stoute-ulysses-horse-racing|website=The Guardian|access-date=19 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Poule d'Essai des Poulains result|work=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/206/deauville/2016-05-15/651515|access-date=19 May 2016}} The Prix Hocquart at the same Deauville meeting went to Mekhtaal, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget and ridden by Gregory Benoist. Harry Herbert, racing advisor to Mekhtaal's owner Al-Shaqab Racing, said afterwards "I think we will probably go for the Prix du Jockey Club with him and keep him in France."{{cite web|title=Mekhtaal Likely For Jockey Club|url=http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/mekhtaal-likely-for-jockey-club/|website=Thoroughbred Daily News|access-date=24 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Prix Hocquart|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/206/deauville/2016-05-15/651546|access-date=24 May 2016}}

On 20 May Goodwood staged the Cocked Hat Stakes over 1 mile and 3 furlongs. The race was won by Algometer, who had finished second to Midterm in the Bet365 Classic Trial in April. Algometer, ridden by Jim Crowley won by half a length from the favourite, Prize Money, and was available at odds of between {{as written|25 to 1}} and 33 to 1 for the Derby. The colt looked an unlikely runner at Epsom as trainer David Simcock believed he would need soft going to be able to run. Simcock identified the Irish Derby and St Leger in September as Algometer's targets, stating "If it rained at Epsom we might think about it, but, realistically, the Leger is the right race for him later in the year. If it doesn't rain at Epsom we'll leave it and go to [the Irish Derby]."{{cite web|title=Algometer stakes Epsom claim with Goodwood victory|url=http://www.skysports.com/racing/race-report/10289245/ebf-stallions-cocked-hat-stakes|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=24 May 2016}}{{cite web|title=Cocked Hat Stakes result|publisher=Racing Post|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/21/goodwood/2016-05-20/649493|access-date=24 May 2016}}

The final supplementary entry stage on 30 May saw four owners paying £75,000 each to enter their horses in the race. The supplementary entries were Wings of Desire, Cloth of Stars, Humphrey Bogart and Red Verdon.{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/wings-of-desire-one-of-four-added-to-derby-as-18-remain/2091680/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806005326/http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/wings-of-desire-one-of-four-added-to-derby-as-18-remain/2091680/#newsArchiveTabs=last7DaysNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 August 2016|title=Wings Of Desire one of four added to Derby as 18 remain|date=30 May 2016|work=Racing Post|author=David Baxter}} Two days before the race the Ballydoyle stable withdrew Beacon Rock and Bravery to leave a final field of sixteen.

US Army Ranger started the 7/2 favourite ahead of Wings of Desire on 6/1 and Harzand at 13/2 whilst Cloth of Stars and Ulysses shared fourth place in the betting on 8/1. Port Douglas went to the front from the start and set the pace in the early stages. Moonlight Magic, Cloth of Stars and Massaat were close behind with Harzand. Ulysses and Idaho in mid-division and US Army Ranger and Wings of Desire. Port Douglas led the field into the straight ahead of Cloth of Stars, Massaat, Moonlight Magic and Idaho. The leaders began to struggle approaching the final quarter mile and Idaho went to the front with Harzand emerging as his main challenger as US Army Ranger began to make rapid progress on the wide outside.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/jun/04/the-derby-2016-live|title= Harzand wins the 2016 Derby – as it happened|date=4 June 2016|work=Guardian|access-date=7 June 2016}}

Harzand gained the advantage approaching the final furlong and repelled a sustained challenge from US Army Ranger to win by one and a half lengths. Idaho took third place, five lengths ahead of Wings of Desire in fourth.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/17/epsom/2016-06-04/614446|title=Epsom Derby result|date=4 June 2016|publisher=Racing Post}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/racing/2016/06/04/epsom-derby-2016-harzand-shakes-off-pre-race-drama-to-seal-glory/|title=Epsom Derby 2016: Harzand shakes off pre-race drama to seal glory|author=Marcus Armytage|work=The Daily Telegraph}}

Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.

Winning time: 2 min 40.09sec

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

Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 2015:

Early-season appearances in 2016 and trial races prior to running in the Derby:

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

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Epsom Derby}}

Epsom Derby

Epsom Derby

Epsom Derby

2016

Category:2010s in Surrey

Epsom Derby