Will Appleby Face Off Against O'Brien Again in the Epsom Derby?

Mark your calendars as one of the most thrilling sporting events of the year is set for Saturday, June 1. Kicking off a month of excitement is the Epsom Derby, a race that's always a fan-favorite. The big question on everyone's mind is: Who will ride to victory in 2024?

In recent years, a pair of trainers have had an impressive hold on this historic race. Aidan O'Brien, who boasts a record of nine Epsom Derby wins, has led four out of the last seven victorious horses. Charlie Appleby has grabbed the spotlight with two other wins, and both trainers are strong contenders to dominate yet again this year.

Backing a Charlie Appleby-trained horse in the Epsom Derby has been a joyride for those fortunate enough to do so. With victories in 2018 by Masad and in 2021 with Adayar, not only were the backers thrilled, but the bookies were also pleased by the unexpected favorites.

According to various betting platforms Both of these triumphs shared a golden thread—they went off at 16/1 and managed to snag the Epsom Derby crown. Should Appleby target a third win this year, it's likely he'll do so with a competitor at a more favorable price.

Appleby was banking on another top contender, although not quite the one he initially anticipated. The horse Arabian Crown was second in the odds, with many believing it had a real shot at clinching the coveted prize.

Following a promising comeback early in the season, the dream for Arabian Crown to seize Epsom glory was shattered on May 17. A setback during training dashed hopes for the Derby, leading to a decision that it wouldn't run.

This is a significant blow for the trainer, but there's hope Arabian Crown will make a return as the season progresses, remaining a horse worth noting for future bets.

Losing such a highly regarded contender could be catastrophic for many in the training yards. However, Appleby shifts his focus to another potential superstar, Ancient Wisdom, who is currently the fourth favorite for the Derby, with odds at 14/1.

Ancient Wisdom is another strong contender in Appleby’s arsenal for the 2024 Epsom Derby. As a two-year-old, he swept four races, including a notable Group 1 victory at Doncaster, following a win in a Group 3 at Newmarket.

On May 16, he made a seasonal return at York, ultimately placing second and trailing six lengths behind the William Haggas trained victor, Economics, in a challenging ten-and-a-half furlong run. The winner isn't in the Derby because the race's distance isn't suited. Dante Stakes Owners might make a bold move and run him anyway, despite the distance doubts. Standing as the 7/4 favorite when running, he could very well find himself in the Derby line-up come June 1.

With a sire like Dubawi, Ancient Wisdom seems built for the demanding 12 furlongs. His persistence at York, coupled with a potentially lucky 16/1 pricing, offers great each-way potential.

Aidan O'Brien's star entry for the Epsom Derby is City of Troy, listed currently at 2/1. This horse, which had jaws dropping by winning three races as a two-year-old, now has some ground to regain.

A recent lackluster performance saw him finish ninth out of eleven in the 2000 Guineas, a result that didn't concern the bookmakers much. He was pulling against the reins early in that fast-paced mile, and by the final furlongs, fatigue set in.

Sired by Justify, who has conquered distances over 12 furlongs, City of Troy needs to better control his energy and reserves for late into the race to realign with expectations of brilliance. If so, June 1st promises an exciting race.

O'Brien's Los Angeles, tied for second favorite at 13/2 as of now, adds to the threat. After winning a Group 3 Derby Trial in May at Leopardstown and being a progeny of Camelot—a previous Derby champion—he shouldn't be overlooked.

James Fanshawe trains Ambiente Friendly, who shares the second-favorite status at 13/2. Initially placing behind Ancient Wisdom, this horse finished fourth at Newmarket in April before a striking win at Lingfield, cementing his Derby bid.

The Epsom Derby seems to be shaping up as a competitive affair, with even an outsider potentially catching the limelight, reflecting recent surprises. The upcoming June 1st looks to be packed with intrigue.

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