A field of 10 runners were declared for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday afternoon, with the first, second, and third from the Epsom version all set to battle once more.
Make sure you’re ready for the big race by checking out our top-rated betting sites and expert tips, as well as taking advantage of a trio of Tote offers – a completely free Placepot which Tote are offering this weekend, money back if you finish second at Curragh, and a further £30 in free bets for new customers.
Free Tote Placepot
Before we dive into the Irish Derby, it’s worth flagging a standout free bet offer from Tote this weekend.
Opt in to claim the deal before placing your bets, and you can use it on any UK or Irish racing, including Sunday’s £50k guaranteed pool at Uttoxeter.
Even better if you’re new to Tote: they’re one of our top-rated UK betting sites and currently offering £30 in free bets plus 20 free spins when you sign up and place a £10 bet. A great chance to explore Tote’s pools and get extra value for your money.
Free Tote Placepot T&Cs
- Brand new sportsbook launched, offering far more than just horse racing
- Benefit from the unique Tote dividend as an alternative to normal fixed odds betting
Money back if 2nd at Curragh
It’s Irish Derby day at the Curragh, with no fewer than nine races on the card and World Pool betting available throughout.
Tote are also running a standout Money Back 2nd offer at the Curragh today. Simply opt in before placing your first bet, and if your selection finishes second, you’ll get your stake back as Tote Credit, up to £10.
A great way to add some extra security to your bets on one of the biggest days in Irish flat racing.
Money back if 2nd at Curragh T&Cs
- Brand new sportsbook launched, offering far more than just horse racing
- Benefit from the unique Tote dividend as an alternative to normal fixed odds betting
Irish Derby Preview: Lambourn there to be taken on
Aidan O’Brien has made the Irish Derby his own, landing the race an astonishing 15 times since Desert King gave him his first success back in 1997. Remarkably, he’s only once failed to have a runner finish in the first three in the past 22 editions, a record that looks set to continue, with five of the 10 runners in this year’s field trained at Ballydoyle.
Leading the charge is Epsom Derby hero Lambourn, who bids to become the latest to complete the Epsom-Curragh double, a feat previously achieved by Ballydoyle greats like Galileo, High Chaparral, Camelot, Australia and Auguste Rodin. That said, not all O’Brien Derby winners have backed it up in Ireland, with the likes of Ruler Of The World, Wings Of Eagles and Anthony Van Dyck falling short in their follow-up bids.
On official ratings, Lambourn (120) has more in common with those who were beaten at the Curragh than with the elite few who did the double. His Epsom success owed plenty to a tactically perfect front-running ride from Wayne Lordan, and it’s unlikely Ryan Moore will get such an easy time of things up front this time.
He’s clearly talented, but at short odds, Lambourn could be worth opposing.
Irish Derby tips & predictions
Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking a record-extending 17th win in the Curragh classic, accounts for half of the field, while hopes of a third British-trained winner in five years rest on the shoulders of Ralph Beckett, who saddles two runners, and Charlie Johnston.
Can Lambourn complete a Derby double? Our expert is going against the Epsom winner.
- NAP: Tennessee Stud @ 7/1
- Next Best: Pride Of Arras @ 6/1
Stud to turn on the charm
Tennessee Stud produced a career-best when finishing third in the Epsom Derby for Joseph O’Brien, who knows this race inside out, having ridden Camelot and Australia to victory before training Latrobe to win in 2018.
Held up in rear, the son of Wootton Bassett did best of those coming from off the pace at Epsom, making up ground smartly along the rail in the closing stages. That performance strongly suggested he can thrive over this 1m4f trip.
As a juvenile, he showed promise with two wins from four starts, and his defeats came behind high-quality opposition in Puppet Master and Hotazhell. He shaped as though needing the run when reappearing in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown, but left that form well behind with a big step forward at Epsom.
Now third time back, he looks primed to peak. If the leaders begin racing early off the home bend, Tennessee Stud’s proven stamina could come to the fore, and he’ll be staying on strongly under Dylan Browne McMonagle.
- Brand new sportsbook launched, offering far more than just horse racing
- Benefit from the unique Tote dividend as an alternative to normal fixed odds betting
Beckett’s charge can restore Pride
Pride of Arras fluffed his lines as second favourite at Epsom, but there are enough excuses to justify giving the previously unbeaten son of New Bay another chance at this level.
He endured a rough passage early on, was forced wide throughout, and appeared ill at ease with Epsom’s undulating track, fading tamely to beat just one home. That effort was clearly below his true ability.
His prior win in the Dante at York is a better reflection of his talent. He travelled smoothly into that race before asserting impressively late on, suggesting the step up to 1m4f was within reach. If you take that effort as his true level, he remains a live contender for Classic honours.
It’s clear he’ll need to take another step forward, but he’s in the right hands, with a trainer who landed this race in 2022, and the Curragh’s more galloping layout should suit him far better. Write him off at your peril.
- Brand new sportsbook launched, offering far more than just horse racing
- Benefit from the unique Tote dividend as an alternative to normal fixed odds betting
More Irish Derby Free Bets & Betting Offers
If you’re after even more betting offers to use on the Irish Derby then you’re in luck. The new betting sites below are all offering free bets to new customers, and they’re each licensed with the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you’re betting with a site you can trust.
| New Betting Sites | Irish Derby Betting Offers |
| PricedUp | Bet £40, Get £20 + 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash |
| BetZone | Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets |
| Highbet | Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets |
| BetMGM | Bet £10 and Get £40 In Free Bets |
| Tangobet | Bet £20 Get £20 Free Bet |
| MogoBet | Deposit & Bet £10, Get £30 Free Bet |
Irish Derby free bets & betting sites – Key T&Cs
- PricedUp: 18+. New customers only. Place a minimum £40 bet on any selection with minimum odds of Evens (2.00) and receive a £20 free bet upon bet settlement and 100 Free Spins on Big Bass Splash. Free bet and free spins expire after 7 days. GambleAware.org. T&Cs apply. #ad
- BetZone: 18+ | New Customers Only | Promo Code: WELCOME10 | Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement | Min odds Evens (2.00) | Free Bets valid for 7 days | Max win £250 | T&Cs apply | Ends 30/06/25 | GB residents only | Gamble responsibly
- Highbet: 18+. New verified customers. UK residents. Customers must first opt-in to this promotion before making the qualifying bet within 7 days of registration. Min. stake amount: £10 with real money with you first ever bet within 7 days of your registration. Free bets must be claimed within the promotion section of the website. Free bets are non-withdrawable. Free bet amount: £20 (1x£20). Min. odds: 3/2 (2.5). Maximum withdrawable winnings from free bet per player: £100. Period to activate: 7 days after the qualifying bet is placed. Full TC’s Apply. GambleAware.org
- BetMGM: New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
- Tangobet: 18+. New customers only. First deposit minimum £20, minimum Bet £20 at minimum odds 1/1 (2.00) and Get a £20 Free Bet with minimum odds of 4/5 (1.80). Eligible bets: Single, Combo, Bet Builder. Max 1 free bet per customer. Free bet tokens credited within 24 hours, valid for 3 days. System bets excluded. Full Terms apply. GambleAware.org
- MogoBet: New Players Only. Min £10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet – one-time stake of £30, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £200. Valid for 7 Days from receipt. Limited to 1 sport & 5 casino brand/s within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. GambleAware.org
