Derby Festival 2026 Results

The 2026 Epsom Derby Festival was held at Epsom Downs on Friday 5th June and Saturday 6th June 2026, with two days of top-class Flat racing action.

Thundering On won the Oaks on the opening day of the Festival, while Christmas Day was the star of Derby Day, winning the 2026 Betfred Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ronan Whelan.

Below are the results from every race at the 2026 Epsom Derby Festival.

Friday, 5th June 2026 – Epsom Derby Festival Results

 13:30 – Win With Zyn 3YO “Dash” Handicap

  1. Naana’s Shadow – 7/2 favourite
  2. Call Margot – 18/1
  3. Shes Got A Brother – 13/2

14:05 – Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes

  1. Hickory Lad – 100/30
  2. Alpe d’Huez – 22/1
  3. Rlasthope – 18/1

14:40 – Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

  1. Seagulls Eleven – 5/2 favourite
  2. Persica – 11/4
  3. Boiling Point – 11/2

15:15 – Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap

  1. Sallaal – 5/2 favourite
  2. Respond – 11/4
  3. Spoken Truth – 12/1

16:00 – Betfred Oaks (Group 1)

  1. Thundering On – 5/1
  2. Legacy Link – 3/1
  3. Sugar Island – 25/1

Thundering On produced an impressive performance to win the 2026 Oaks by 3¾ lengths. Dylan Browne McMonagle rode the Frankel filly to victory for trainer Joseph O’Brien. The winning time, on good to soft ground, was 2m 39.64s.

Nine horses contested the Classic, with Legacy Link finishing second and 25/1 outsider Sugar Island taking third.

16:40 – HKJC World Pool Handicap

  1. Mister Winston – 6/1
  2. Hot Cash – 20/1
  3. Man Of La Mancha – 5/1

17:15 – Cygames Surrey Stakes (Listed Race)

  1. Ellusive Butterfly – 9/1
  2. Greek Mythology – 5/2
  3. Ardisia – 18/1

17:50 – Debenhams Handicap

  1. Colombier – 12/1
  2. Zarathos – 11/1
  3. A War Eagle – 40/1

Saturday, 6th June 2026 – Epsom Derby Festival Results

Derby Day brought rain to Epsom Downs, with conditions becoming increasingly testing as the afternoon progressed. The Derby itself was run on soft ground.

13:30 – Betfred Tattenham Corner Stakes (Group 3)

  1. Ten Bob Tony – 11/2
  2. Witness Stand – 12/1
  3. Poet Master – 11/1

14:05 – Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3)

  1. Sparks Fly – 7/2
  2. Love Dynasty – 10/1
  3. Pacific Mission – 15/2

14:40 – Coolmore Coronation Cup (Group 1)

  1. Bay City Roller – 17/2
  2. Jan Brueghel – 9/4
  3. Lambourn – 13/2

Bay City Roller caused a surprise in the Coronation Cup, beating Jan Brueghel by ten lengths, with 2025 Derby winner Lambourn finishing third.

15:15 – Betfred “Dash” Handicap

  1. Arklow Lad – 7/1
  2. Vintage Clarets – 11/1
  3. Lexington Blitz – 17/2

16:00 – Betfred Epsom Derby (Group 1)

  1. Christmas Day – 7/1
  2. Maltese Cross – 12/1
  3. James J Braddock – 9/1

Christmas Day (7-1) won the 2026 Epsom Derby, giving trainer Aidan O’Brien another victory in Britain’s most famous Classic. Ridden by Ronan Whelan, he took command in the closing stages and stayed on strongly on the soft ground to beat Maltese Cross by 2¾ lengths. James J Braddock finished another 2½ lengths behind in third.

Fourteen horses contested the Derby, with the winning time of 2 minutes 43.75 seconds.

16:40 – Cherryfield (Croydon) Lester Piggott Handicap

  1. Folk Pageant – 5/1
  2. Silver State – 20/1
  3. Pendella – 9/1

17:20 – HKJC World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap

  1. Too Soon – 17/2
  2. Night Breeze – 15/2
  3. Bulletin – 15/2

17:55 – JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap

  1. Sondad – 11/2
  2. Invictus Gold – 28/1
  3. Partisan Hero – 11/1