Irish Derby Runners Guide 2023 – Epsom Hero Auguste Rodin Faces up to 10 Rivals in Curragh Classic

Only 9 Irish Derby runners have been declared for the premier Classic in the Emerald Isle at the Curragh on Sunday, 2 July (3:40) with Auguste Robin, who won the Epsom equivalent, a red-hot odds-on favourite to follow-up. Re-opposing rivals include the third and fourth home, White Birch and Sprewell.

Best Horse Racing Offers for the Irish Derby

1.	Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets New cust only. 3 days to claim & 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. New cust only. 3 days to claim & 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply.	Claim Offer
2.	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets New customers, opt-in and deposit within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with odds of 1.3 or greater, stake not returned. T&C’s Apply. New customers, opt-in and deposit within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 1.5 or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets. Free bets must be used on 4 or more selections with odds of 1.3 or greater, stake not returned. T&C’s Apply.	Claim Offer
3.	50% Of First Day Losses Back As A Free Bet Up To £25 50% of first day losses refunded as a free bet. Max free bet per customer £25. To activate your 50% back offer, simply deposit and have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. The first day finishes at 23:59 on day of registration. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets non withdrawable Free bets to be credited within 24 hours. 18+, T&Cs apply 50% of first day losses refunded as a free bet. Max free bet per customer £25. To activate your 50% back offer, simply deposit and have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 or more on separate events at odds of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. The first day finishes at 23:59 on day of registration. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. Free bets non withdrawable Free bets to be credited within 24 hours. 18+, T&Cs apply	Claim Offer
4.	Bet £10, Get £40 in Free Bets Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 4 x £5 free spread bets + £1 Race Index spread bet. Ts&Cs Apply. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG | SPREAD BETTING LOSSES CAN EXCEED DEPOSIT Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 4 x £5 free spread bets + £1 Race Index spread bet. Ts&Cs Apply. 18+ BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG | SPREAD BETTING LOSSES CAN EXCEED DEPOSIT	Claim Offer
5.	Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets New Customers only. Place your first bet at a minimum of £5, and we’ll give you £20 Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and a further £10 excluding win/place racing bets. Welcome offer Tote Credit is subject to a 7-day expiry from the date that it is credited to your Account. 18+ Full T&Cs Apply. BeGambleaware.org.Full T&Cs apply. New Customers only. Place your first bet at a minimum of £5, and we’ll give you £20 Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and a further £10 excluding win/place racing bets. Welcome offer Tote Credit is subject to a 7-day expiry from the date that it is credited to your Account. 18+ Full T&Cs Apply. BeGambleaware.org.Full T&Cs apply.	Claim Offer
6.	Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets Registration required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.	Claim Offer
7.	Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply. T&Cs apply	Claim Offer

Auguste Rodin Long Odds-On Among Irish Derby Runners for Epsom-Curragh Double

Given his sensational return to form in the Epsom Derby at the start of June, Auguste Rodin sets a clear and obvious form standard for Ireland’s equivalent 1m 4f Group 1 contest for three-year-old colts and fillies. Aidan O’Brien seeks a record-extending 15th win the Irish Derby and is no stranger to saddling the Epsom Downs-Curragh double.

The Ballydoyle maestro has achieved that three times in his illustrious training career. O’Brien senior has five Irish Derby runners this year, but Auguste Rodin is an overwhelming favourite. Those who take him on again from Epsom have five lengths and upwards to find with JJ Murphy’s White Birch and Jessica Harrington inmate Sprewell both intended runners.

That Derby form was franked during Royal Ascot last week when the runner-up, King Of Steel, came out and landed the King Edward VII Stakes in some style. O’Brien’s two sons, Donnacha and Joseph, also have representation here courtesy of Proud And Regal and Up And Under respectively.

RELATED: Look at the leading horse racing betting sites in the UK today.

Complete Irish Derby Runners Guide 2023

1. Adelaide River

Winless on turf, but placed in four Group races since Dundalk AW mile maiden victory on racecourse debut. Runner-up in the Beresford and third in Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile. Chased home Arrest in Chester Vase on reappearance, but eighth and something to find with Auguste Rodin in Epsom Derby latest.

2. Auguste Rodin

Dual Group 1 winner and Epsom Derby hero who bounced back from no-show in 2000 Guineas on reappearance. Won on all types of ground from good to firm to heavy. No real chink in the armour. A worthy favourite and the one all other Irish Derby runners have to beat.

3. Covent Garden

Tipperary 1m 1f maiden winner in October, but struggled in Criterium de Saint-Cloud when behind Adelaide River. Beaten just a length into third in Listed 1m 5f event at Naas latest, but that form has taken knocks. Others appeal more.

4. Peking Opera

Proven stamina with Listed 1m 5f win but well-beaten up in trip in Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last midweek latest. Dropping back in distance logical, but owners and trainer have stronger ammunition for this.

5. Proud And Regal

Vincent O’Brien National Stakes second and Group 1 Criterium International winner as a juvenile. Yet to scale the same heights this season as beaten favourite into third in Leopardstown Derby Trial on reappearance. Drop back in trip for Irish 2000 Guineas latest didn’t help.

6. San Antonio

May be better than he showed when not handling the track at Epsom and finishing 11th in English equivalent of this latest. Previous Listed winner at Chester and initially considered for the French Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club. Could outrun his odds if allowed to take his chance on a more conventional track.

7. Sprewell

Won official trial for this and may have been a little unlucky when fourth at Epsom latest. That was first race outside of Ireland. Something on that form to find with Auguste Rodin and White Birch, though. Shortlisted from Irish Derby runners for obvious reasons.

8. Up And Under

Ties White Birch and Sprewell form lines together after chasing those two home on his starts in recognised trials for this. Although staying on both times, unraced on going faster than soft and still a maiden. Each way possibility if building on these efforts, though.

9. White Birch

Won Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at 22/1 on reappearance, but proved that no fluke after placing in the Dante at York and the big one at Epsom. Often slowly away, he’d be an even more serious threat to Irish Derby runners if jumping off on terms. Has about five lengths to find with Auguste Rodin, but respected.

What Date & Time is the Irish Derby 2023?

📅Time/Date: 3:40pm (Sunday, 2nd July 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Curragh
💰 Winner: €712,500
📺 TV: Racing TV / ITV
🎲 Odds: Auguste Rodin 2/7 | White Birch 7/1 | Sprewell 17/2 | Up And Under 20/1 | Bar 33/1

Recent Irish Derby Winners

• 2022 – Westover  (11/8 joint-fav)
• 2021 – Hurricane Lane (4/1)
• 2020 – Santiago (2/1 fav)
• 2019 – Sovereign (33/1)
• 2018 – Latrobe (14/1)
• 2017 – Capri (6/1)
• 2016 – Harzand (4/6 fav)
• 2015 – Jack Hobbs (10/11 fav)
• 2014 – Australia (1/8 fav)

WATCH: Auguste Rodin Win the Epsom Derby

Related Horse Racing Content:

• Best Horse Racing Free Bets Offers at UK Sportsbooks – Top Horse Racing Bonuses for 2023
• Top Free Horse Racing Tips & Advice for UK Betting Today
• Free NAP of The Day – Today’s Horse Racing NAPs 27 June
• Free Horse Racing Lucky 15 Tips for Today – Best Lucky 15 Bet Today
• Today’s Racecards – View Horse Racing Cards Today
• Horse Racing Results Today – See All Recent Race Results & Winners