Irish Derby 2025 Tips: Runner-By-Runner Guide & Race Preview

First run in 1866, the Irish Derby at the Curragh is one of the world’s most prestigious horse races, an event which regularly attracts the top horses from England and France as well as from home.

This year, the Curragh Racecourse are proud to mark a legacy of 160 years of the Irish Derby, a race that continues to stand as one of the most prestigious and thrilling in the world. But who will take top honours this year?

Green Impact (Jessica Harrington)

Jessica Harrington’s son of Wootton Bassett is the biggest threat to the sports betting favourite Lambourn, in my opinion.

Green Impact beat the useful Delacroix twice last year, firstly in a maiden tag, then secondly when landing the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown.

This term he finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas, then landed the odds when taking the Listed Clencairn Stakes over 1m1f three weeks ago.

The strong-staying Galileo mare in his pedigree should aid his cause over this longer trip, and he’s a major contender.

Lambourn (Aidan O’Brien)

16 Derby winners have lined up at The Curragh since 1988 and 11 have managed to pull off the double, which will be music to the ears of favourite backers.

After chasing home stablemate Delacroix in the Ballysax in March, he has been successful in his next two starts, adding to his Chester Vase victory with a front-running display in the Derby.

Will they allow him to dominate again? I somehow doubt it, which makes him vulnerable this time.

Lazy Griff (Charlie Johnston)

Charlie Johnston will walk the track on raceday before committing to Lazy Griff’s participation.

The son of Protectionist faces a rematch with Lambourn, who beat him into second in the Derby at Epsom.

Pride Of Arras (Ralph Beckett)

Impressive winner of the Dante, but flopped at Epsom and it will require a big leap of faith to expunge that race from your putting memory banks.

I’m of the view that this year’s Dante form isn’t that strong and he’s a swerve in the horse racing betting for me.

Puppet Master (Aidan O’Brien)

Missed last week’s King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, but arrives at the Curragh off the back of a narrow victory in Lingfield Derby Trial.

Will Aidan be letting go of the strings today? One never knows.

Serious Contender (Aidan O’Brien)

Finished second to Merchant in the King George V Stakes last Thursday, but was that  really Derby level form? I very much doubt it, but he may be good for a place should the AOB team play team tactics.

Shackleton (Aidan O’Brien)

This outsider finished fourth in the Queen’s Vase over 1m6f at Royal Ascot last Wednesday, but that level of form certainly won’t cut the mustard in a race like this.

Sir Dinadan (Ralph Beckett)

Holds good form with stablemate Amiloc, who beat the French-star Zahrann to win the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.

There’s every chance he could step up another notch at the weekend.

Tennessee Stud (Joseph O’Brien)

Tennessee Stud was a length behind runner-up Lazy Griff at Epsom and has another 3¾ lengths to find with Lambourn, but many punters are of the view he’ll be a lot nearer this time.

Thrice (Aidan O’Brien)

Sixth in the Chester Vase but followed up his Roodee run by winning the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over 1m2f at Curragh. This will require a monumental step up however but this racecourse may suit him.

Irish Derby 2025 Prediction: Green Impact (7/1, WIN)

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*